Easy 5-Ingredient Filo-Wrapped Feta Appetizers

For the first recipe of the year, I want to share with you these delicious and Easy 5-Ingredient Filo-Wrapped Feta Appetizers which will quickly become part of your go-to rotation.  This is a take on the classic Greek appetizer we all know and love, but in small, bite sizes.

This bite-sized treat combines cubes of salty Feta enclosed in crispy filo and baked until golden brown.  Once they are out of the oven, a drizzle of warm honey balances the saltiness of the Feta and rounds up the flavors!  Serve them still warm, topped with a sprinkle of black and white sesame seeds, and watch them disappear.

These Easy 5-Ingredient Filo-Wrapped Feta Appetizers are the perfect make-ahead bites that even a beginner baker can prepare.  You can assemble them in no time, and then bake as few or as many as you want, reserving the rest for another time. The recipe can be easily doubled to feed a small crowd.

It is the perfect appetizer for entertaining and for family gatherings that everybody is going to love!

Ingredients for Easy 5-Ingredient Filo-Wrapped Feta Appetizers

You will only need 5 ingredients to make this easy appetizer:

• Filo Pastry (I used Fillo Factory) – Thin filo pastry (#4) works well in this recipe
• Extra Virgin Olive Oil, for brushing on the filo pastry
• Greek Feta – we need the block of Feta in brine (not crumbled Feta)
• Honey – for drizzling the baked filo bites
• Sesame Seeds (black & white or just white) for sprinkling
• Everything but the bagel topping (optional)

How to make Easy 5-Ingredient Filo-Wrapped Feta Appetizers

1. Place a filo sheet on a cutting board, and cut it vertically into four strips of equal width (each strip should be about 4″ wide)
2. Brush the filo pastry with olive oil. Center one Feta cube near the end of the smallest edge of each filo strip
3. Fold one side of the filo over the Feta, brush this side with olive oil, then repeat with the other side so the filo overlaps
4. Start rolling the cube along the filo to completely enclose it like a little parcel
5. Once little parcels are formed, brush the top with some olive oil
6. Place on a baking dish, lined with parchment paper
7. Bake until golden brown
8. Drizzle with some warmed honey, top with some sesame seeds and enjoy!

A FEW TIPS ABOUT THE DIFFERENT KINDS OF FILO

1. Filo comes in different thicknesses:  the number you see on a box of filo indicates how thick it is. The lower the number, the thinner and more delicate the filo.  Lower numbered filo requires a lighter touch with the pastry brush to avoid tearing.  The most common numbers are #4 (thin and pliable) and #7 (slightly thicker, a bit easier to work with).
2. Filo comes in different sizes:  most packages of filo pastry have large sizes of filo (13″ x 18″), suitable for larger pans, but some packages have smaller sizes of filo (9″ x 13″), for smaller pans. If you are using a smaller pan but can only find the larger-sized filo, just cut the larger sheets in half.
3. The weight of the filo:  no matter what the size or the thickness, the weight of a filo package in the U.S. is always going to be one pound. This means that the box with the thinner filo will have more sheets while the box with the thicker filo will have fewer!

This recipe is a collaboration with Fillo Factory. You can find this favorite filo dough (along with puff pastry) at Whole Foods and several small local stores.  I love the quality of the Fillo Factory products and I always make sure to stash a couple of boxes in the freezer!

Easy, 5-ingredient, Filo-Wrapped Feta Appetizers

 

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Prep time

20 mins

Cook time

20 mins

Total time

40 mins

 

A delicious and super easy appetizer to make for for your next gathering - the perfect little bite that you can make ahead of time!

Author: Marilena Leavitt

Recipe type: Appetizer

Cuisine: Greek

Serves: 12

Ingredients

• 1 block of Greek Feta cheese (approximately 1" thick by 3" wide by 4" long)
• 3 sheets of Filo pastry (I used Fillo Factory, thin #4)
• --- Extra virgin olive oil
• 2 TBSP. good honey
• --- Sesame Seeds (white and/or black) to sprinkle on top

Instructions

1. Allow the thawed filo to come to room temperature. Cut the Greek Feta into 12, equal-sized cubes and place them on paper towels to absorb any extra brine.
2. Turn on the oven to 400℉. Place a rack in the middle of the oven.
3. Remove one piece of filo pastry from the pack, place it on a cutting board with the longer side closest to you, and cut it vertically into four, equal-sized strips. Each strip will be about 4" wide and 12" long. This will be enough to wrap around and completely enclose four cubes of Feta cheese (see next step).
4. Brush the filo pastry with olive oil. Place one Feta cube near the end of the smallest edge of each filo strip. Fold one side of the filo over the Feta, brush this side with olive oil then repeat with the other side so the filo overlaps. Brush that side with olive oil as well. Start rolling the cube along the length of the filo to enclose each cube completely as little parcel. Secure the end with a toothpick. Continue with the rest of the Feta cubes and the filo pastry.
5. Place the little filo parcels on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Brush the tops with olive oil and bake for about 18-20 minutes or until the filo is golden brown.
6. When out of the oven, place them on a serving platter, drizzle with some warm honey, sprinkle with sesame seeds and allow them to sit for a few minutes to cool down slightly.
7. Serve and enjoy!

Notes

To make ahead, assemble the little parcels (without any toppings), place on a tray and freeze until solid. Transfer to a freezer back and return to the freezer. When you need them, place them on a baking sheet, still frozen. Brush the tops with olive oil and bake in a preheat the oven until golden brown. You might need to adjust the cooking time.

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