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Spinach and Ricotta Rolls Recipe

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star 3.9 from 27 reviews
  • Author: Kimberly
  • Prep Time: 20 minutes
  • Cook Time: 25 minutes (oven) or 15-20 minutes (air fryer)
  • Total Time: 45 minutes (oven) or 40 minutes (air fryer)
  • Yield: 12-16 rolls
  • Category: Appetizer
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: Italian
  • Diet: Vegetarian

Description

Delicious and flaky spinach and ricotta rolls made with a savory blend of cheeses and fresh spinach wrapped in puff pastry. Perfect as a snack, appetizer, or party finger food, these rolls can be baked traditionally in the oven or quickly prepared using an air fryer for a crispy, golden finish.


Ingredients

For the Rolls:

  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 2 cups baby spinach
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 cup ricotta cheese
  • 1/2 cup parmesan cheese
  • 1/2 cup cheddar cheese
  • 1 egg
  • 1/4 cup shallots or green onions, chopped
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • 1 sheet puff pastry
  • Sesame seeds (optional, for garnish)


Instructions

  1. Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (180°C). Line baking sheets with parchment paper to prevent sticking and ensure even baking.
  2. Sauté Spinach Mixture: Heat olive oil in a pan over medium heat. Add minced garlic and sauté for about 30 seconds until fragrant. Add baby spinach and cook until wilted, then set aside to cool slightly.
  3. Prepare Filling: In a mixing bowl, combine ricotta cheese, parmesan cheese, cheddar cheese, egg, chopped shallots or green onions, and season with salt and pepper. Stir in the sautéed spinach and garlic mixture until evenly incorporated.
  4. Assemble Rolls: Roll out the puff pastry sheet on a flat surface and cut it into rectangles. Place a spoonful of the spinach and cheese filling along one edge of each rectangle, then roll tightly to enclose the filling completely.
  5. Garnish and Chill: Brush the rolled pastries with beaten egg to give a golden color when baked. Optionally, sprinkle with sesame seeds for extra texture and flavor. Refrigerate the rolls for 15 minutes to firm up before slicing.
  6. Slice Rolls: Once chilled, cut the rolls into bite-sized pieces, making them easy to serve and enjoy.
  7. Bake: Place the rolls on the prepared baking sheet and bake in the preheated oven for 25 minutes or until they are golden brown and crispy.
  8. Air Fry Method (Alternative): Prepare the rolls as detailed above. Then place the rolls in the air fryer basket and cook at 390°F (200°C) for 15-20 minutes or until golden and cooked through, checking halfway for even cooking.

Notes

  • You can substitute the puff pastry with phyllo dough for a lighter texture, but be sure to handle it carefully as it is fragile.
  • Feel free to add herbs such as dill or basil to the filling for extra flavor.
  • If you don’t have shallots, green onions or even finely chopped regular onions can work well.
  • For a vegetarian option, ensure your cheeses are made with microbial rennet if avoiding animal rennet.
  • These rolls can be made ahead and frozen before baking; just increase baking time by a few minutes if cooking from frozen.