Cheese Puff Pastries with Feta, Leeks, & Dill Recipe

Introduction

These cheese puff pastries filled with feta, leeks, and dill make a delightful savory treat perfect for any occasion. Crispy on the outside and bursting with flavorful filling, they are simple to prepare but sure to impress your guests.

The image shows several square-shaped pastries on a baking tray lined with parchment paper, placed on a white marbled surface. Each pastry has two layers: a pale, slightly glossy dough exterior with crimped edges created by pressing a fork, sealing the filling inside. The dough is light cream in color with a subtle shine from an egg wash. Some pastries are decorated with a few small black seeds on top. The texture of the dough looks soft and slightly puffy, positioned close together before baking. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients

  • 2 sheets puff pastry (thawed)
  • 1.3 lbs Greek feta cheese (600 grams)
  • 2 leeks (halved and sliced, whites and light green parts only)
  • 2 spring onions (sliced whites and light green parts only)
  • 2 eggs
  • 1 handful dill (roughly chopped)
  • 4 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
  • 1 egg (beaten, for the egg wash)
  • Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper (to taste)
  • Sesame seeds (optional, for sprinkling)

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Heat one tablespoon of olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add the sliced leeks and spring onions, season with sea salt and pepper, and sauté for 2-3 minutes until fragrant and tender without browning. Remove from heat and set aside.
  2. Step 2: In a large bowl, crumble the feta cheese and add the two beaten eggs, chopped dill, remaining olive oil, and juices from the pan. Season with freshly ground pepper. Using a fork, gently press and break the feta, then mix well. Stir in the sautéed leeks and spring onions until combined.
  3. Step 3: On a floured surface, lay one sheet of puff pastry and gently roll it out to stretch slightly. Cut the sheet into six long strips along the longer side and make a single cut in the middle on the shorter side, creating rectangles.
  4. Step 4: Place about one tablespoon of the cheese and leek filling on one side of each rectangle, leaving a 1/4-inch border around the edges.
  5. Step 5: Fold the empty side over the filling to cover it. Press the edges together firmly and seal with the tines of a fork.
  6. Step 6: Transfer the pastries to the prepared baking sheet. Brush the tops with the beaten egg wash and sprinkle with sesame seeds if desired. Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until golden brown and puffed.

Tips & Variations

  • For extra flavor, add a pinch of nutmeg to the cheese filling.
  • Swap dill for parsley or chives if preferred.
  • If you don’t have puff pastry, phyllo dough can be used but requires careful handling to avoid drying out.
  • Serve warm with a side salad for a light meal or as finger food at parties.

Storage

Store any leftover pastries in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for 5-7 minutes to restore crispiness. Avoid microwaving to keep the pastry flaky.

How to Serve

A close-up view of a stack of golden brown puff pastries with flaky, crispy layers clearly visible. Each pastry is square-shaped with crimped edges showing a layered texture. The tops are shiny and sprinkled with small black seeds and a few small green herb pieces, adding contrast to the warm golden crust. The pastries sit closely together on a white marbled surface, with some overlapping and showing varied shades of baked brown across the group. The detailed texture of the puff pastry layers creates a sense of lightness and crispiness. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I prepare the filling in advance?

Yes, the filling can be made a day ahead and stored in the refrigerator. Just mix it gently before assembling the pastries.

Can I freeze these pastries?

Absolutely. Assemble the pastries and freeze them on a baking sheet until firm, then transfer to a freezer bag. Bake from frozen, adding a few extra minutes to the baking time.

Print

Cheese Puff Pastries with Feta, Leeks, & Dill Recipe

Delight in these savory cheese puff pastries filled with creamy Greek feta, sautéed leeks, fresh dill, and spring onions. The flaky puff pastry encases a flavorful blend that’s lightly seasoned and enhanced with olive oil, making for an elegant appetizer or snack that’s golden and perfectly crisp when baked to perfection.

  • Author: Sana
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 25 minutes
  • Total Time: 40 minutes
  • Yield: 12 pastries 1x
  • Category: Appetizer
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: Mediterranean
  • Diet: Vegetarian

Ingredients

Scale

Puff Pastry

  • 2 sheets puff pastry (thawed)

Cheese & Vegetables

  • 1.3 lbs Greek feta cheese (600 grams)
  • 2 leeks (halved and sliced, whites and light green parts only)
  • 2 spring onions (sliced whites and light green parts only)

Seasonings & Herbs

  • 1 handful dill, roughly chopped
  • Sea salt, to taste
  • Freshly ground black pepper, to taste

Other

  • 2 eggs
  • 4 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
  • 1 egg (beaten, for the egg wash)
  • Sesame seeds, for sprinkling

Instructions

  1. Preheat and prepare skillet: Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. In a skillet, heat one tablespoon of olive oil over medium heat. Slice the leeks and spring onions, crumble the feta cheese, and beat the two eggs in a small bowl.
  2. Sauté leeks and spring onions: Add the sliced leeks and spring onions to the hot olive oil. Season with sea salt and freshly ground black pepper. Sauté for 2-3 minutes until fragrant and tender, making sure they do not brown. Remove from heat and set aside, reserving the liquids from the pan.
  3. Mix filling: In a large mixing bowl, combine the crumbled feta, beaten eggs, chopped dill, olive oil, and the saved pan liquids. Add plenty of freshly ground black pepper. Using a fork, gently press down to break the feta and mix everything well. Fold in the sautéed leeks and spring onions gently until evenly incorporated.
  4. Prepare puff pastry: On a clean, floured surface, lay one puff pastry sheet flat and gently roll it out slightly to stretch. Cut the sheet into six long strips along the longer side, then make one cut in the middle on the shorter side, creating smaller rectangular shapes.
  5. Fill pastries: Place about one tablespoon of the cheese and vegetable filling on one side of each rectangle, leaving a 1/4-inch border around the edges free of filling.
  6. Seal pastries: Lift the side without filling and fold it over to cover the filling. Press the edges together gently with your fingers to seal, then use a fork to crimp and firmly close the edges to prevent leakage during baking.
  7. Apply egg wash and bake: Place the prepared pastries on the lined baking sheet. Brush the tops with the beaten egg wash, then sprinkle lightly with sesame seeds for added texture and flavor. Bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes or until the pastries are puffed up and golden brown.

Notes

  • Ensure the leeks and spring onions are cooked through but not browned to maintain a delicate flavor and texture.
  • Use high-quality feta cheese for a creamy, tangy filling.
  • You can freeze the unbaked pastries on the baking sheet and bake from frozen, adding a few extra minutes to the baking time.
  • The egg wash helps achieve a shiny, golden crust; don’t skip it.
  • Sesame seeds can be substituted with nigella seeds or omitted if preferred.

Keywords: cheese puff pastries, feta pastries, savory pastries, puff pastry recipes, appetizer recipes, Mediterranean snacks

Did you make this recipe?

Share a photo and tag us — we can’t wait to see what you’ve made!

Similar Posts

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe rating