Greek Feta Rolls Recipe

Learn how to make the best homemade Greek Feta Rolls with this easy baking recipe. Crispy phyllo pastry wrapped around tangy feta cheese and aromatic herbs creates an irresistible Mediterranean appetizer that's perfect for entertaining. Master the technique of handling delicate phyllo for foolproof results every time.

Difficulty:

Intermediate

Prep Time:

30 mins

Cook Time:

25 mins

Serves:

24 rolls

Ingredients

<ul class="ingredients-main-list"><li class="ingredients-single-item">400g phyllo pastry sheets, thawed if frozen</li><li class="ingredients-single-item">300g Greek feta cheese, crumbled</li><li class="ingredients-single-item">100g ricotta cheese</li><li class="ingredients-single-item">2 large eggs</li><li class="ingredients-single-item">3 tbsp fresh dill, finely chopped</li><li class="ingredients-single-item">2 tbsp fresh mint, finely chopped</li><li class="ingredients-single-item">2 green onions, finely sliced</li><li class="ingredients-single-item">1 tsp dried oregano</li><li class="ingredients-single-item">1/2 tsp freshly ground black pepper</li><li class="ingredients-single-item">100g unsalted butter, melted</li><li class="ingredients-single-item">60ml olive oil</li><li class="ingredients-single-item">1 tbsp sesame seeds (optional)</li><li class="ingredients-single-item">Honey and lemon wedges, for serving (optional)</li></ul>

Equipment

<ul class="equipment-main-list"><li class="equipment-single-item">Pastry brush</li><li class="equipment-single-item">Sharp knife</li><li class="equipment-single-item">Baking tray</li><li class="equipment-single-item">Parchment paper</li></ul>

Directions

<ol class="no-list-style"><li class="MethodStepper"><h4 class="step-title">Step 1</h4>Preheat your oven to 180°C (350°F) and line a large baking tray with parchment paper. In a mixing bowl, combine the crumbled feta, ricotta, 1 beaten egg (reserve the other for brushing), dill, mint, green onions, dried oregano, and black pepper. Mix thoroughly until well combined but still maintaining some texture in the feta. The ricotta helps bind the filling while keeping it creamy.</li><li class="MethodStepper"><h4 class="step-title">Step 2</h4>Prepare your work surface by clearing a large area. Combine the melted butter and olive oil in a small bowl. This mixture gives the perfect balance of flavor and helps achieve that golden crispy finish. Carefully unroll the phyllo pastry and cover with a slightly damp kitchen towel to prevent it from drying out - this is crucial as dry phyllo becomes brittle and difficult to work with.</li><li class="MethodStepper"><h4 class="step-title">Step 3</h4>Take one sheet of phyllo and place it on your work surface with the long side facing you. Brush lightly with the butter-oil mixture. Place a second sheet directly on top and brush again. Cut this double layer into 4 equal strips lengthwise. The double layer provides strength while maintaining delicate crispness.</li><li class="MethodStepper"><h4 class="step-title">Step 4</h4>Place about 1 tablespoon of the feta mixture at the bottom end of each strip. Fold the bottom right corner diagonally over the filling to create a triangle. Continue folding the triangle up and over, maintaining the triangular shape until you reach the end of the strip. Tuck any excess pastry underneath. This folding technique seals in the filling and creates layers of flaky pastry.</li><li class="MethodStepper"><h4 class="step-title">Step 5</h4>Alternatively, for roll shapes, place the filling at the bottom of each strip and roll up, tucking in the sides as you go. Place the finished triangles or rolls seam-side down on the prepared baking tray, leaving some space between each piece as they will expand slightly.</li><li class="MethodStepper"><h4 class="step-title">Step 6</h4>Beat the remaining egg and brush the tops of each pastry. Sprinkle with sesame seeds if using. The egg wash gives a beautiful golden sheen to the finished rolls and helps the sesame seeds adhere.</li><li class="MethodStepper"><h4 class="step-title">Step 7</h4>Bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes, or until the pastry is crisp and golden brown. Check halfway through baking and rotate the tray if necessary for even browning. The filling should be hot throughout and the pastry should make a hollow sound when tapped.</li><li class="MethodStepper"><h4 class="step-title">Step 8</h4>Allow to cool slightly before serving - the filling will be extremely hot straight from the oven. These rolls are delicious served warm or at room temperature, optionally drizzled with a little honey and accompanied by lemon wedges for squeezing over. The sweet honey and tangy lemon beautifully complement the salty feta.</li></ol>

FAQs

Find answers to your most pressing questions about this delicious recipe right here.

What ingredients are used in Greek Feta Rolls?

Greek Feta Rolls feature phyllo pastry, Greek feta cheese, ricotta, eggs, fresh herbs (dill, mint), green onions, dried oregano, black pepper, butter, olive oil, and optional sesame seeds. They're traditionally served with honey and lemon wedges for added flavour.

How to cook Greek Feta Rolls at home?

Learn how to cook Greek Feta Rolls by layering phyllo sheets with butter and oil, adding a feta-herb filling, folding into triangles or rolls, and baking at 180°C for 20-25 minutes until golden and crispy. The key techniques include keeping phyllo moist while working, proper folding to seal the filling, and achieving that perfect golden colour with an egg wash.

Can I prepare phyllo pastry appetisers in advance?

Yes, you can prepare these feta-filled pastries up to 24 hours in advance. Assemble them completely, place on a baking sheet, cover with cling film and refrigerate. Brush with egg wash just before baking. You can also freeze them unbaked for up to a month and bake from frozen.

What's the secret to working with phyllo pastry without it tearing?

The secret is keeping phyllo moist but not wet. Cover sheets with a slightly damp kitchen towel while working. Work quickly but gently, ensure your hands are dry, and use a light touch when brushing with butter. If tears occur, simply overlap the broken pieces or use them for the inner layers.

How can I create variations of traditional Mediterranean cheese pastries?

Create delicious variations by adding spinach for spanakopita-style rolls, mixing in sun-dried tomatoes and olives for a Mediterranean twist, substituting goat cheese for some of the feta, incorporating pine nuts for texture, or adding a hint of lemon zest to brighten the filling.

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