Pin Oven Fried Feta Rolls with Chili Honey are a party ready treat you will crave all year. Golden phyllo pastry wraps a creamy tangy filling of feta and ricotta then gets crisped in the oven instead of fried for a lighter twist. The real magic comes from a quick chili honey drizzle you pour over right before serving that delivers the perfect sweet heat contrast. These finger friendly rolls disappear fast whenever I set out a platter.
I first tried them as a make ahead game day snack and loved how everyone kept reaching for seconds especially when I let my kids drizzle the honey themselves.
Ingredients
- Feta cheese crumbled: choose a creamy block type feta for best texture and tang
- Ricotta cheese: adds smooth creaminess use whole milk ricotta for richness
- Fresh thyme leaves: optional but boosts Mediterranean flavor select vibrant green leaves
- Phyllo pastry: get high quality frozen sheets thaw overnight and keep covered to avoid drying
- Melted butter or olive oil: butter is traditional and yields golden flavor while olive oil makes it lighter
- Honey: select a floral or local honey for the most depth and aroma
- Red chili flakes: use a fresh spicy batch for a noticeable kick
- Phyllo: is surprisingly forgiving if you keep it damp and gentle while working
Instructions
- Prepare the Filling:
- In a medium size mixing bowl combine crumbled feta ricotta and shredded thyme if you like. Mash thoroughly with a fork until the mixture is creamy and no large clumps remain. Set aside to let the flavors settle while you prep the pastry.
- Prep the Phyllo Pastry:
- Gently unroll the phyllo sheets completely on your counter and immediately cover with a slightly damp dish towel. Using a sharp kitchen knife cut each sheet lengthwise to create long strips. Handle carefully to avoid any tearing especially if your kitchen is dry.
- Assemble the Rolls:
- Preheat your oven to four hundred degrees Fahrenheit which is two hundred degrees Celsius and line a heavy baking sheet with good parchment paper so the rolls will not stick. Lay out one strip of phyllo at a time on a clean surface. Brush the entire strip lightly with melted butter or olive oil using a pastry brush make sure to cover the edges especially. Place about one tablespoon of the cheese mixture near the bottom end of the strip. Fold long sides inward to enclose the filling then roll up tightly like a cigar so the seam ends up on the underside. Transfer each roll to your prepared baking sheet keeping them spaced about one inch apart. Repeat the process with remaining strips and filling.
- Bake the Rolls:
- Once all rolls are assembled brush their tops generously with more melted butter or oil to ensure deep golden color during baking. Slide the tray onto the middle rack and bake for fifteen to twenty minutes watching for a beautiful deep golden brown color and crisp texture.
- Make the Chili Honey:
- While rolls are baking pour a quarter cup of honey into a small saucepan and stir in half a teaspoon of red chili flakes. Warm gently over low heat for a minute or two just until fragrant and barely bubbling. Remove from heat so the honey does not burn and strain if you want it less spicy or leave flakes in for extra kick.
- Finish and Serve:
- Allow the baked rolls to cool for about five minutes as this makes them easier to eat and keeps the crispiness. Drizzle with warm chili honey just before serving or serve the honey alongside for dipping. Garnish with extra thyme leaves if desired for a burst of herby aroma.
Pin For me the best part is the subtle thyme flavor mixed with creamy tangy cheese. I remember the first time I made these for my parents they could not stop commenting on how the honey with chili made every bite unique.
Storage Tips
Oven Fried Feta Rolls are best straight from the oven while crisp but leftovers will keep tightly covered in the fridge for three days. Reheat on a baking sheet at three hundred fifty degrees Fahrenheit for ten minutes to revive that crisp shell.
Ingredient Substitutions
If you are out of ricotta swap in goat cheese or even softened cream cheese for a slightly different but equally creamy result. Good vegan feta alternatives and plant based butter work well for a dairy free version.
Serving Suggestions
Set out these rolls warm on a platter for holiday parties with extra chili honey on the side. They also make a top notch snack alongside tomato soup or fresh summer salads.
Cultural and Historical Context
Phyllo pastry is a traditional ingredient in Mediterranean and Middle Eastern cuisine especially for appetizers and savory pies. Combining feta with honey echoes classic Greek flavors where sweet and salty always belong together.
Seasonal Adaptations
Use lemon zest in the filling for a spring twist Add chopped sun dried tomatoes in late summer Switch thyme for rosemary or mint in winter for a warming aroma
Success Stories
I brought these rolls to a Friendsgiving potluck and everyone asked for the recipe even the picky eaters. My cousin now requests them every New Year’s Eve.
Freezer Meal Conversion
You can assemble rolls up to the baking stage and freeze them in a single layer. Once solid pack into containers. Bake directly from the freezer at four hundred degrees for about twenty five minutes until hot and crisp.
Pin These rolls are always a hit for parties or family nights. They will disappear from the platter faster than you expect.
Recipe FAQ
- → What type of cheese works best for the filling?
A mix of tangy feta and creamy ricotta provides balance. Other soft cheeses like goat or cream cheese can be used.
- → How do I prevent the phyllo from drying out?
Keep unused phyllo sheets covered with a damp kitchen towel while assembling the rolls.
- → Can these rolls be prepped ahead of time?
Yes, assemble the rolls and refrigerate until ready to bake for easy entertaining.
- → How spicy is the chili honey?
The spice is mild but adjustable. Increase chili flakes for extra heat to suit your taste.
- → What is the best way to serve these rolls?
Serve warm, drizzled with chili honey, as an appetizer or snack. Garnish with extra thyme if desired.