Imagine buttery, flaky puff pastry filled with a warm, cheesy spinach and artichoke mixture—that's exactly what makes this Cheesy Spinach Artichoke Puff Pastry Bites Recipe a total crowd-pleaser. These little bites pack all that deliciousness into perfectly poppable appetizers you'll want to make again and again.
Jump to:
- Why You'll Love This Recipe
- Ingredients & Why They Work
- Make It Your Way
- Step-by-Step: How I Make Cheesy Spinach Artichoke Puff Pastry Bites Recipe
- Top Tip
- How to Serve Cheesy Spinach Artichoke Puff Pastry Bites Recipe
- Make Ahead and Storage
- Frequently Asked Questions:
- Final Thoughts
- Cheesy Spinach Artichoke Puff Pastry Bites Recipe
Why You'll Love This Recipe
I've made these a million times for parties and casual get-togethers, and trust me—the combination of creamy cheese, tender spinach, and artichoke wrapped in flaky puff pastry never disappoints. It’s the kind of recipe that feels fancy but is super easy to throw together.
- Quick and Easy: You can pull these together in under 30 minutes, making them perfect last-minute appetizers.
- Perfectly Portion-Controlled: Each bite is just the right size for sharing or sampling without overdoing it.
- Flavor-Packed: With garlic, three kinds of cheese, spinach, and marinated artichokes, each bite bursts with rich, savory goodness.
- Versatile for Any Occasion: They work equally well for holiday parties, casual brunches, or even game day snacks.
Ingredients & Why They Work
Each ingredient in this Cheesy Spinach Artichoke Puff Pastry Bites Recipe plays a crucial role in delivering that rich, creamy, and flaky experience. Choosing fresh spinach and good-quality cheeses really takes these bites to the next level.
- Fresh spinach: Adds vibrant color and a gentle earthy flavor; cooking it briefly removes moisture so the bites don't get soggy.
- Marinated artichoke quarters: Bring a tangy, tender texture that complements the creaminess perfectly.
- Mozzarella cheese: Melts beautifully and adds that wonderful gooey stretch.
- Parmesan cheese: Offers a sharp, nutty flavor that deepens the savory profile.
- Cream cheese: The base that binds everything together with its luscious creaminess.
- Garlic: Minced fresh for a sharp, aromatic punch that's the backbone of the filling.
- Salt and pepper: Essential for balancing and enhancing all the flavors.
- Olive oil: Just a splash to sauté spinach, adding richness without overpowering.
- Puff pastry sheet: Provides the flaky, golden exterior—make sure it's fully thawed for easy handling.
Make It Your Way
I love to mix things up with this recipe! Sometimes I add a pinch of crushed red pepper for a little heat, or swap out mozzarella for pepper jack to give it a spicy twist. Feel free to adapt it to your taste buds—this recipe is forgiving and flexible.
- Variation: Once, I added cooked bacon bits to the filling for a smoky crunch—everyone loved it. Don't hesitate to experiment with your favorite add-ins like sundried tomatoes or different herbs.
- Dietary swap: For a vegetarian option, stick with the classic recipe; for gluten-free, use gluten-free puff pastry sheets available at specialty stores.
Step-by-Step: How I Make Cheesy Spinach Artichoke Puff Pastry Bites Recipe
Step 1: Prep Your Ingredients
Start by mincing the garlic and dicing the marinated artichokes into bite-sized pieces. Having these ready makes mixing a breeze later on. I like to drain the artichokes really well to prevent sogginess—pat them dry with a paper towel if needed.
Step 2: Wilt the Spinach
Add a teaspoon of olive oil to a pan heated to medium, then toss in your roughly chopped spinach. Cook for about 2 minutes until it wilts down beautifully. This step reduces moisture so your puff pastry stays crisp.
Step 3: Combine the Filling
In a large bowl, mix the softened cream cheese, mozzarella, Parmesan, garlic, artichokes, and wilted spinach. Give it a good stir, then taste and season with salt and pepper. This is where you can tweak flavors before filling the pastry—more salt or pepper if needed.
Step 4: Cut and Fill the Puff Pastry
Roll out your thawed puff pastry on parchment or a clean surface. Use a pizza cutter to slice it into four long strips, then cut those into 2.5-inch squares—about 20 pieces total. Gently press each square into a greased mini muffin tin to form little cups, then spoon heaping teaspoons of filling into each one.
Step 5: Bake to Golden Perfection
Bake at 400°F for 12 to 15 minutes until the edges are golden and the filling is bubbly. Let them cool for about 5 minutes in the pan so they hold their shape, then carefully pop them out. I always remind guests to enjoy them warm for the best melty experience.
Top Tip
From making this recipe several times, I’ve learned a few tricks that really ensure success every time you make these cheesy bites.
- Drain Artichokes Well: Excess liquid can make the pastry soggy. I like to press them between paper towels gently before adding to the mix.
- Don’t Overfill: A heaping teaspoon is perfect. Too much filling can overflow and make a mess in the oven.
- Use Cold Puff Pastry: Keep it chilled until cutting and filling; it’s easier to handle and puffs up better when cold.
- Let Cool Before Serving: They’re tempting fresh out of the oven, but waiting 5 minutes helps them firm up so they won’t fall apart.
How to Serve Cheesy Spinach Artichoke Puff Pastry Bites Recipe
Garnishes
I like to sprinkle a little extra freshly grated Parmesan and some finely chopped fresh parsley on top before serving. The parsley brightens the bites visually and flavor-wise, and a dash of paprika adds a subtle smoky hint that guests rave about.
Side Dishes
These bites are perfect finger foods alongside a crisp green salad or a bowl of fresh fruit. For a heartier snack, I like serving them with a tangy tomato bruschetta or homemade marinara for dipping.
Creative Ways to Present
For parties, I arrange these bites on a wooden cheese board surrounded by fresh grapes, olives, and cured meats. You can also serve them in mini cupcake liners inside the muffin pan for a cute, no-mess way to present to guests.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
I usually keep leftover bites in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. When stored properly, they still taste delicious, just lose a bit of their freshly baked crunch.
Freezing
I've frozen these before baking—place the filled puff pastry cups on a tray to freeze solid, then transfer to a freezer-safe container. When ready to enjoy, bake straight from frozen, adding a few extra minutes to the bake time. This is great for prepping ahead of a party!
Reheating
To reheat, I pop them back in a 350°F oven for about 8-10 minutes to crisp them up without drying out the filling. Avoid microwaving if you want to keep that perfect flaky texture.
Frequently Asked Questions:
You can substitute frozen spinach, but be sure to thaw it fully and squeeze out as much liquid as possible to avoid soggy pastry. Using fresh spinach is best for texture and flavor.
I prefer the Jus-Rol puff pastry because it’s consistent, flaky, and easy to work with, but any high-quality puff pastry sheet that’s thawed properly will work perfectly for this recipe.
You can make a vegan or dairy-free version by substituting cream cheese and cheeses with plant-based alternatives. Just make sure to taste as you go, since flavors can vary widely with dairy-free cheeses.
The key is properly cooking and draining the spinach and artichokes to remove excess moisture. Using a hot oven and not overfilling the pastry cups also helps keep them crisp and flaky.
Final Thoughts
This Cheesy Spinach Artichoke Puff Pastry Bites Recipe has become my go-to for impressing guests without any fuss. The balance of creamy, cheesy filling and flaky crust is just irresistible, and you’ll love how simple it is to make. Give these a try—you’ll be so glad you did.
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Cheesy Spinach Artichoke Puff Pastry Bites Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 20 bites
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
These Spinach Artichoke Puff Pastry Bites are a delicious and cheesy appetizer featuring a creamy blend of spinach, artichokes, cream cheese, mozzarella, and parmesan, all baked inside flaky puff pastry cups. Perfect for parties or snacks, these bite-sized treats are crispy, golden, and packed with flavor.
Ingredients
Filling
- 5 oz fresh spinach, roughly chopped
- 1 12 oz can marinated and drained artichoke quarters, diced to preferred bite size
- ½ cup freshly shredded mozzarella cheese
- ½ cup shredded parmesan cheese
- 1 8 oz block softened cream cheese
- 4 large cloves minced garlic
- ½ teaspoon salt (add more if needed)
- ½ teaspoon pepper (add more if needed)
- 1 teaspoon olive oil
Pastry
- 1 13.2 oz sheet puff pastry, thawed
Instructions
- Preheat oven and prepare pan: Preheat the oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. Grease a mini muffin pan and set aside.
- Prepare filling base: Mince the garlic. Drain and dice the artichoke quarters into small bite-sized pieces. In a large bowl, combine the diced artichokes, softened cream cheese, parmesan cheese, and mozzarella cheese.
- Cook spinach: Roughly chop the spinach. Heat olive oil in a pan over medium heat. Add the spinach and cook for 2 minutes until wilted.
- Combine filling: Add the cooked spinach to the bowl with the other ingredients. Mix well and season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Cut puff pastry: Unroll the thawed puff pastry sheet onto a clean surface or parchment paper. Using a pizza cutter, slice the pastry into 4 long strips, then cut each strip into 2.5x2.5 inch squares, making about 20 squares.
- Form pastry cups: Gently press each puff pastry square into a muffin pan hole, pushing it down to form a cup shape.
- Fill pastry cups: Spoon a heaping teaspoon of the spinach artichoke filling into each pastry cup until filled to the top.
- Bake: Bake in the preheated oven for 15 minutes or until the pastry is golden brown and cooked through.
- Cool and serve: Let the bites cool in the pan for about 5 minutes, then carefully remove and serve warm.
Notes
- Ensure the puff pastry is fully thawed before cutting and shaping to prevent tearing.
- You can add extra garlic or cheese to the filling for a stronger flavor.
- These bites are best served warm but can be reheated in the oven for a few minutes.
- Substitute mozzarella with provolone or fontina for a different flavor profile.
- If you prefer a milder dip, reduce the amount of garlic.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bite
- Calories: 110 kcal
- Sugar: 1 g
- Sodium: 230 mg
- Fat: 7 g
- Saturated Fat: 3.5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 9 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 4 g
- Cholesterol: 20 mg
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