Spinach Paneer Puffs is an Indian fusion appetizer recipe that will please any crowd! These savory puffs are flaky, gooey, and very delicious! Make it in under 45 minutes!
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Spinach Paneer Combo
My inspiration behind creating this snack is Palak Paneer which shows that paneer and spinach make a great combination and the Indian Paneer Puffs which we used to have at our local bakery when we were kids. When reading about world cuisine, I also got to know about Greek Spinach Feta Puffs that are similar to this recipe.
Blanched spinach is pureed with aromatics and is used as a spread. Crumbled Paneer is mixed with basic spices and that makes the stuffing. You can then shape the puff pastries as ypu want. I like to shape them as pinwheels. Then bake them. Once baked, the crust on the outside is flaky and golden while the insides are gooey and delicious. Do try this delicious savory spinach puff pastry appetizer recipe!
Some spinach recipes that we love are Chana Palak, Lasuni Matar Palak, Keerai, Palak Rice, and Mushroom Spinach Pasta Salad.
Puff Pastry Snacks
When it comes to party food, puff pastry recipes are always a HIT! You can make a variety of recipes suiting all lifestyles with puff pastries! They are al delicious, different and visually appealing! I enjoy creating different recipes with them. In fact, there is a packet of puff pastry always in my freezer. You never know when you may need it! Here are some recipes using all kinds of pastry sheets - Puff Pastry Samosa, Matar Kachori Pinwheels, Carrot Halwa Baklava, Karanji Baklava, and Paneer Gujiya Shells.
Why make this
- Ridiculously quick and easy to make
- Needs basic pantry ingredients
- Is mildly spiced
- Cheesy party food
- A vegetarian spinach appetizer/snack
- Can be prepped ahead of time
- Suitable for large groups
- Total crowd-pleaser
Ingredients needed 🧾
Butter - Salted or unsalted butter can be used.
Spinach - Fresh or frozen spinach can be used. I have used baby spinach to make this party appetizer recipe.
Paneer - Use homemade or store-bought full-fat or low-fat paneer. Paneer is available in Indian grocery stores in the frozen aisle. Costco, Sprouts, and Whole foods also carry paneer.
Spices - dried mixed herbs, garlic powder, onion powder, and red pepper flakes are the basic spices that you will need.
Aromatics - green chillies, cilantro, garlic, and ginger give these Paneer Spinach Pastry Puffs the required punch.
Puff pastry sheets - You can make them at home or buy Pepperidge Farm from the store. If buying, then check the packet before buying. It should not contain eggs if you are following a vegetarian lifestyle. Also ensure they are fresh or have not been in the freezer for too long. Instead of sheets, you can also use pre-cut dough squares to save time.
Cheese - Mozzarella cheese works in this recipe. You can also add a mix of cheese. If you can, then get Amul cheese. It tastes the best!
How to make it 🔪
Before starting this Indian spinach recipe, remove the puff pastry sheet from the freezer and thaw it over the countertop.
- In a pan, melt butter. Add flour and salt. Cook, stirring frequently until the mixture becomes pale golden with a slightly nutty aroma.
- Now pour warm milk gradually, stirring constantly with a wooden spoon, and whisk until smooth. Cook this mixture, stirring constantly along the bottom of the pan. Cook till the sauce thickens. This takes about 4-5 mins on med to low flame.
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- Once the sauce is thick enough, add the chopped spinach and give it a good mix.
- Next, add in the crumbled paneer.
- Also add the seasonings - salt, dried parsley, onion powder, garlic powder, and red pepper flakes. Cook for another 2-3 minutes.
- The sauce finally should be thick enough to spread and not drip. Take it off the flame and let it cool down a bit. Taste and add salt if needed.
- Preheat your oven to 400°F(200°C). Then, thaw the frozen puff pastry sheets. Cut the sheets into 5-inch squares and place them on a cookie tray with parchment paper.
- Add a generous spoonful of the spinach-paneer mixture in the center.
- Top with mozzarella cheese.
- Fold the sheet from all sides. You need not close it completely. Spray cooking oil or brush milk on top. Place them in the oven and bake for 20-25 mins or until they brown on top.
Serving suggestions 🍽
Spinach Paneer Puffs are ready. Serve them warm as is or with hot sauce/chutney. You can serve these vegetarian puffs as an evening snack or for breakfast. These cheesy golden Spinach Puffs are the perfect appetizer to make ahead of time for the holidays like Diwali, Holi, Thanksgiving, Christmas, or New Year party!
This Indian spinach recipe is a great finger food that can also be made for potlucks, weekend parties, holiday parties, brunches, game nights, picnics, special days, date nights, or any occasion where you feel like celebrating.
Top recipe tips 💭
If the paneer is too hard, soak them in warm water for a couple of minutes. Then crumble the paneer. Shape the puff pastry in the shape you want. If the puff pastry becomes too soft after adding the stuffing, put the tray in the fridge for 10-15 minutes. Puff pastry dough needs to be cold when you put it in the oven in order to rise and get crispy, flaky puffs!
Recipe FAQs 📖
Leftover puffs can be stored in the fridge for 3-4 days. They will lose their crispiness if left to sit for too long. Reheat in the microwave or air fryer before serving. You can also make them ahead of time and store them in the fridge. Bake them fresh as and when needed. Unbaked puffs can also be frozen for 2-3 months. Thaw them on the countertop for 15-20 minutes and then bake.
The leftover spinach mixture can be stored in the fridge. You can use it to make another batch of Spinach Paneer Puffs. Alternatively, use it as a spread or stuffing in any other dish. This mixture can also be used as a cheese ball. Serve it with crackers! They taste delicious.
Instead of paneer, use crumbles tofu, meatless crumbles, cauliflower rice, tempeh, or soya granules to make these puffs. Use vegan butter or cooking oil instead of regular butter. In place of whole milk, add unsweetened almond or oat milk. Instead of regular mozzarella cheese, add vegan mozzarella.
Instead of the oven, you can also cook this spinach appetizer in the Air Fryer. Place two or 4 stuffed puff pastries (depending upon the size of the basket) into the air fryer basket. Bake at 390°F for 10-12 minutes. Flip them at about 7 min.
Yes you can! Grease a muffin tray. Do not use muffin liners because the puff pastry won’t be crispy and browned. Insert the puff pastry squares into the tray. Top it with the filling and cheese. Fold them as showing in the pictures above. Bake as per packet instructions. Then carefully remove the muffins from the tray.
More Party Appetizers
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Recipe 📖
Spinach Paneer Puffs
Equipment
- Oven
Ingredients
To Make Spinach Spread
- 4 cups chopped spinach
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- salt
- Half Inch ginger
- 3 cloves garlic
- 2-3 green chillies
- 1 tablespoon cilantro
To Make Paneer Masala
- 6 oz paneer, crumbled
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes
- 1 teaspoon dried mixed herbs
To Make Garlic Butter
- ⅓ cup butter, melted
- 3 garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon cilantro, finely chopped
Other Ingredients
- 1 pastry sheet
- ⅓ cup grated mozzarella cheese
Instructions
To Make Spinach Spread
- Boil water. Add salt and sugar. Then add the spinach. Let it soak in hot water for 3 minutes.
- Transfer to a bow of ice water. Let it sit in there for 2 minutes.
- Squeeze the excess water from the spinach and then transfer to a blender jar. Add ginger, garlic, cilantro, and green chillies.
- Blitz to make a smooth paste. Do not add water. Spinach spread is ready. Set it aside for now.
To Make Paneer Masala
- Grate or crumble paneer.
- Transfer to a mixing bowl.
- Add garlic powder, onion powder, mixed herbs, red pepper flakes, salt, and pepper.
- Mix it all together.
To Make Garlic Butter
- Melt butter.
- Add melted butter to a bowl.
- Then add minced garlic, and finely chopped cilantro.
- Mix it all together.
To Prepare The Spinach Puffs With Paneer
- Place a thawed sheet on a working surface.
- Generously smear half side with the prepared spinach spread.
- Top it with the crumbled paneer masala mixture.
- Then top it with grated mozzarella cheese.
- Fold with the other side.
- Cut them in half inch strips.
- Take each strip and twist it and then roll it up into pinwheels. Place them in the freezer till the oven preheats. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.
- Brush each tree with the garlic butter. Bake them for 25-30 minutes or till they turn golden brown. Let them cool.
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Lakshmi says
Hi Priya,
Thanks for sharing your recipes. When I read this spinach and paneer puffs recipe, decided to make and give it to my son who is leaving today to Dunedin for his studies. Turned out well and we all enjoyed it.
Priya says
I am so glad to hear that. Thank you so much. 🙂
Jess says
These sound so amazing! 🙂
Thanks for joining Cooking and Crafting with J & J!
Erica Schmidt says
These look so DELICIOUS! Definitely pinning for later, thanks for sharing! Visiting from Funky Polkadot Giraffe's Too Cute Tuesday link party.
Yum Girl says
Welcome to Yum Goggle! we are following you on all your social media platforms and hope you follow us back. we will try our best to tag you each time we promote your posts. Kelli at YG!
Kim @ This Ole Mom says
Wow! Your appetizer looks delicious! I need to try making it. Thank you for sharing with us at the Talented Tuesday Link Party!
Have a lovely rest of the week, Kim
Kristen says
SO yeah, these pretty much look amazing! I think I need to make these for when my college friends come to town
Meeta says
A simply great take on samosas 🙂 I really am loving these.
Georgina Ingham | Culinary Travels says
What a great idea to use paneer. I would most often use feta in a dish like this but I bet the paneer works perfectly.
hetal says
Hiii... the receipe looks divine...am surely trying this... you mentioned we could make the pastry sheets at home... do u have a receipe for the same???
Chef@Cookilicious says
Hi Hetal, thank you so much. I have never tried to make the pastry sheet at home yet..I get the frozen sheets. Will surely pass on the recipe if I find the perfect one.
karyl henry says
This is probably such a dumb question, but what is Paneer? I've never heard of it. This dish looks gorgeous though, and like something that would be right up my alley
Chef@Cookilicious says
Hey Karyl, there is no such thing as silly question.. 🙂 Paneer is a type of curd cheese used in Indian, Iranian, and Afghan cooking. Its like tofu only tastier. Do try it once. Its available in Indian stores.
Nikki Frank-Hamilton says
This looks so delicious. I'm sitting here in the car, way past my dinner time, and now I have a craving for these little pastries. The way that the cheese and the spinach loses right out of the top of the pastry! My stomach is growling. I have added this to Pinterest and you Yummly so that I can make it at home. Thank you so much for not remaining a frog in the well. We are all benefiting from that