Potato and Spinach Bourekas
Flaky, savory pastries filled with a delicious mixture of mashed potatoes, sautéed spinach, onions, and spices, often enjoyed as a snack, appetizer, or light meal.
🧂 Ingredients
- 2 sheets Puff pastry(thawed if frozen)
- 2 medium Potatoes(peeled and boiled until tender)
- 10 oz Spinach(fresh or frozen, thawed and squeezed dry)
- 1 medium Onion(finely chopped)
- 2 cloves Garlic(minced)
- 2 tbsp Olive oil
- 1/4 tsp Nutmeg(ground)
- to taste Salt
- to taste Black pepper
- 1 large Egg(beaten, for egg wash)
- 1 tbsp Sesame seeds(optional, for topping)
👨🍳 Instructions
- 1
Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
💡 Tip: Ensure oven is fully preheated for optimal puff pastry rise. - 2
Prepare the filling: Mash the boiled potatoes in a bowl until smooth. Set aside.
💡 Tip: Ensure potatoes are completely dry before mashing. - 3
In a skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add chopped onion and sauté until softened, about 5-7 minutes. Add minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant.
⏱️ 8 minutes - 4
Add the squeezed spinach to the skillet. Cook until any remaining moisture has evaporated, about 3-5 minutes. Remove from heat.
⏱️ 5 minutes - 5
Combine the mashed potatoes, sautéed onion and spinach mixture, nutmeg, salt, and pepper in a bowl. Mix well to create the filling.
💡 Tip: Taste and adjust seasoning as needed. - 6
Unroll the puff pastry sheets onto a lightly floured surface. Cut each sheet into 6 equal squares (or desired shape).
💡 Tip: Work quickly with puff pastry to keep it cold. - 7
Place a generous tablespoon of the potato-spinach filling onto one half of each pastry square. Fold the other half over to create a triangle or rectangle, and crimp the edges with a fork to seal.
💡 Tip: Don't overfill, or the bourekas may burst. - 8
Arrange the bourekas on the prepared baking sheet. Brush the tops with the beaten egg wash and sprinkle with sesame seeds, if using.
💡 Tip: Egg wash gives a golden, shiny finish. - 9
Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the pastry is puffed, golden brown, and cooked through.
⏱️ 25 minutes - 10
Let cool slightly before serving. Best served warm.
💡 Pro Tips
- ✓Using store-bought puff pastry makes this recipe much quicker.
- ✓Ensure spinach is very well squeezed to prevent a soggy filling.
- ✓Bourekas can be assembled ahead of time and baked just before serving.
🔄 Variations
- Add crumbled feta cheese to the filling for a salty kick.
- Experiment with other spices like cumin or paprika.
- Use pre-made phyllo dough for a crisper, flakier texture (requires different folding technique).