Spanakopita in the air fryer
Classic Greek spinach pie with crisp filo pastry, creamy feta and fresh herbs. The air fryer gives you a golden, crunchy top in under half an hour.
Equipment
- 1 Air fryer
- 1 Bagefør ca. 18-20 cm Must fit in your air fryer
- 1 Cutting board
- 1 Knife
- 1 Pan
- 1 Bowl
- 1 Brush
- 1 Parchment paper For the air fryer
Ingredients
Filling
- 500 g fresh spinach
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 2 clove garlic Finely chopped
- 4 pcs spring onion Finely chopped
- 200 g feta Crumbled
- 2 pcs egg
- 15 g fresh dill Finely chopped
- 15 g fresh parsley Finely chopped
- 0.25 tsp grated nutmeg
0.5 tsp salt- 0.25 tsp freshly ground pepper
Pastry and brushing
- 250 g filo pastry About 8-10 sheets, thawed if frozen
- 100 g butter Melted
Instructions
Preparation
- Rinse 500 g fresh spinach thoroughly and chop it roughly. Heat 1 tbsp olive oil in a pan over medium heat and sauté 2 clove garlic and 4 pcs spring onion for 1-2 minutes, until fragrant.
- Add the spinach and let it wilt for 3-4 minutes. Tip it into a sieve and press out as much liquid as possible with a spoon or your hands — this is crucial to avoid a soggy base.
- Crumble 200 g feta into a bowl. Lightly whisk 2 pcs egg and add the cooled spinach, 15 g fresh dill, 15 g fresh parsley, 0.25 tsp grated nutmeg, 0.5 tsp salt and 0.25 tsp freshly ground pepper. Mix well into an even filling.
- Melt 100 g butter in a small saucepan or in the microwave, and set it ready beside your work station.
Assembly
- Line a baking tin of about 18-20 cm that fits in your air fryer with baking paper, letting it stick up a little over the edge — this makes it easy to lift the pie out afterwards.
- Lay one sheet of 250 g filo pastry in the bottom of the tin and brush lightly with melted butter. Repeat with 4-5 layers, letting the edges hang over the rim of the tin. Keep the remaining filo sheets covered with a damp tea towel meanwhile, so they don't dry out.
- Spread the spinach filling evenly over the filo pastry and smooth the surface with a spoon.
- Lay the remaining filo sheets over the filling and brush each sheet with butter. Fold the overhanging edges in over the top, so the filling is completely wrapped up.
- Brush the top layer of filo thoroughly with the remaining butter. Carefully score the surface into the portions you want before baking — this makes serving much easier.
Cooking in the air fryer
- Preheat the air fryer to 180 °C fan.
- Place the tin in the air fryer and bake the spanakopita for 18-22 minutes, until the top is deeply golden and crisp. Check after 12-14 minutes — if the top is colouring too quickly, you can cover it loosely with a piece of foil for the last few minutes.
- Let the pie rest for 5 minutes before serving, so the filling sets and the filo stays crisp.
Notes
Tips for a perfect result:
Filo pastry dries out incredibly fast, so keep the unused sheets under a damp tea towel while you work. It is crucial to press all the liquid out of the cooked spinach, otherwise the base turns soft and soggy. Variation:
Replace half of the feta with ricotta for a milder, creamier flavour. You can also add 50 g of grated parmesan to the filling for extra depth, or swap the spinach for a mix of spinach and chard. Serving:
Serve with a fresh Greek salad of tomato, cucumber, red onion and kalamata olives, along with some good bread and a bowl of tzatziki on the side. Portion size:
If your air fryer is smaller, you can divide the pie into two smaller tins and bake in two batches — or shape it into individual triangles.
Filo pastry dries out incredibly fast, so keep the unused sheets under a damp tea towel while you work. It is crucial to press all the liquid out of the cooked spinach, otherwise the base turns soft and soggy. Variation:
Replace half of the feta with ricotta for a milder, creamier flavour. You can also add 50 g of grated parmesan to the filling for extra depth, or swap the spinach for a mix of spinach and chard. Serving:
Serve with a fresh Greek salad of tomato, cucumber, red onion and kalamata olives, along with some good bread and a bowl of tzatziki on the side. Portion size:
If your air fryer is smaller, you can divide the pie into two smaller tins and bake in two batches — or shape it into individual triangles.
Nutrition
Calories: 520kcalCarbohydrates: 35gProtein: 18gFat: 35gSaturated fat: 18gPolyunsaturated fat: 2gMonounsaturated fat: 12gCholesterol: 130mgSodium: 1200mgPotassium: 700mgFiber: 4gSugar: 2gVitamin A: 8000IUVitamin C: 35mgCalcium: 380mgIron: 5mgNet carbohydrates: 31g
