Description
These Oven Fried Feta Rolls with Chili Honey are a delightful appetizer featuring crispy golden phyllo filled with a fragrant mixture of feta cheese, fresh herbs, and lemon zest. Baked to perfection and drizzled with a warm, sweet and spicy chili honey glaze, these rolls offer a perfect balance of savory and sweet with a hint of heat, ideal for entertaining or as a flavorful snack.
Ingredients
Scale
Feta Rolls
- 8 sheets of phyllo pastry
- 200 g feta cheese, crumbled
- 1 tablespoon fresh dill, chopped
- 1 tablespoon fresh mint, chopped
- 1 teaspoon lemon zest
- Freshly ground black pepper to taste
- 3 tablespoons olive oil, divided
Chili Honey Sauce
- 1/4 cup honey
- 1 tablespoon chili flakes
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent sticking and ensure easy cleanup.
- Prepare Feta Mixture: In a medium-sized bowl, combine the crumbled feta, chopped dill, chopped mint, lemon zest, and a generous pinch of black pepper. Mix thoroughly to distribute the herbs and zest evenly throughout the cheese.
- Layer Phyllo Sheets: Lay one sheet of phyllo pastry on a clean, dry surface. Lightly brush it with olive oil. Place a second sheet on top, brushing it with olive oil as well to keep the layers crisp and golden when baked.
- Cut Phyllo Strips: Cut the two layered phyllo sheets lengthwise into 4 equal strips to create manageable roll sizes for filling.
- Add Filling: Spoon about one tablespoon of the feta mixture onto one end of each phyllo strip, ensuring not to overfill to allow easy rolling and sealing.
- Roll the Pastry: Fold the sides of the phyllo over the filling and roll up the pastry into a tight cylinder, taking care to seal the edges so the filling stays inside while baking.
- Arrange Rolls: Place each roll seam-side down on the prepared baking sheet to prevent them from unraveling during cooking.
- Brush with Olive Oil: Lightly brush the tops of the rolls with olive oil to promote browning and crisping. Repeat the layering, filling, and rolling process with the remaining pastry sheets and filling.
- Bake Rolls: Bake the rolls in the preheated oven for 18-20 minutes or until they are golden brown and crispy, indicating they are perfectly cooked.
- Prepare Chili Honey: While the rolls bake, combine honey, chili flakes, and lemon juice in a small saucepan. Warm gently over low heat, stirring occasionally until the mixture becomes slightly runny and well blended.
- Cool Slightly: Remove the rolls from the oven and allow them to cool for a few minutes to avoid burning when eating and to help the flavors settle.
- Serve: Drizzle the warm chili honey over the rolls just before serving, or serve it on the side as a dipping sauce for an added spicy-sweet kick.
Notes
- Phyllo pastry is delicate; keep unused sheets covered with a damp cloth to prevent drying out.
- Adjust chili flakes in the honey sauce according to your preferred spice level.
- For a vegetarian recipe, confirm that the feta cheese used is made with vegetarian-friendly rennet.
- To make ahead, prepare the rolls but bake just before serving to maintain crispness.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
Keywords: feta rolls, phyllo pastry appetizer, chili honey sauce, baked feta, Mediterranean appetizer, party snacks, savory rolls
