If you love the creamy, cheesy goodness of classic spinach artichoke dip but want an easy-to-eat, crowd-pleasing appetizer, the Spinach & Artichoke Dip Party Squares Recipe is your new best friend. These golden, flaky puff pastry squares are packed with rich cream cheese, savory artichokes, tender spinach, and just the right blend of cheeses, making every bite a perfect combination of flavor and texture. Whether you’re hosting a game day, holiday gathering, or casual party, these squares disappear fast and keep everyone coming back for more.
Ingredients You’ll Need
This recipe calls for simple, accessible ingredients that come together beautifully to create a rich and satisfying appetizer. Each component plays a key role in flavor, texture, or color to make your Spinach & Artichoke Dip Party Squares Recipe truly unforgettable.
- Puff pastry sheet: Provides a flaky, buttery crust that crisps up beautifully in the oven.
- Cream cheese (4 oz, softened): Adds creaminess and tang to the dip filling.
- Sour cream (½ cup): Enhances smoothness and brings a subtle tartness to balance the richness.
- Grated Parmesan cheese (½ cup): Gives a sharp, nutty flavor that deepens the overall taste.
- Shredded mozzarella cheese (½ cup): Melts perfectly, adding gooey, cheesy pull to each bite.
- Chopped frozen spinach (1 cup, thawed and drained): Boosts color and earthiness without sogginess thanks to proper draining.
- Chopped artichoke hearts (½ cup, canned or jarred): Introduces tender, slightly tangy bites that complement the spinach flawlessly.
- Minced garlic clove (1): Brings a fresh, aromatic kick that lifts the whole dish.
- Salt (¼ teaspoon) and black pepper (¼ teaspoon): Basic seasonings to enhance and balance the flavors.
- Beaten egg: Used as an egg wash to give the pastry a beautiful golden shine and crispness.
How to Make Spinach & Artichoke Dip Party Squares Recipe
Step 1: Prepare Your Oven and Baking Sheet
Preheat your oven to a hot 400°F (200°C) to ensure that the puff pastry puffs up nicely and crisps perfectly. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent sticking and make cleanup a breeze.
Step 2: Mix the Flavorful Filling
In a medium bowl, combine the softened cream cheese, sour cream, grated Parmesan, shredded mozzarella, thawed and drained spinach, chopped artichokes, minced garlic, salt, and black pepper. Mix thoroughly until you have a creamy, unified filling with a wonderful blend of flavors and colors.
Step 3: Roll Out the Puff Pastry
Lightly flour a clean surface and roll the puff pastry out into a flat rectangle roughly 10 by 14 inches. This creates the perfect base layer for the filling, ensuring even coverage and a good-sized baking square.
Step 4: Assemble the Squares
Transfer the rolled puff pastry onto your prepared baking sheet. Spread the spinach-artichoke mixture evenly over the surface, making sure to leave a half-inch border around the edges. This border will help the pastry seal and puff without the filling spilling over.
Step 5: Add the Egg Wash
Brush the edges of the pastry with the beaten egg to promote a gorgeous golden color and lovely sheen as it bakes. This little step is key for eye-catching appetizers that look as good as they taste.
Step 6: Bake Until Golden
Place the baking sheet into your preheated oven and bake for 20 to 25 minutes. You’ll know it’s ready when the pastry has puffed up beautifully and turned a deep golden brown, enticing all who see it.
Step 7: Cool and Cut
Once baked, allow the puff pastry to cool slightly so the filling sets just enough for neat cutting. Then, slice into squares or rectangles—about 16 pieces—to make perfect party-size servings.
How to Serve Spinach & Artichoke Dip Party Squares Recipe
Garnishes
Sprinkle your squares with freshly chopped parsley or a light dusting of extra Parmesan for a fresh herbal note and an elegant touch. A few red pepper flakes scattered on top can add a gentle kick if your guests enjoy a bit of heat.
Side Dishes
Pair these squares with fresh vegetable crudités or a vibrant mixed green salad dressed in a tangy vinaigrette. The crisp freshness of veggies balances the richness of the cheesy squares perfectly.
Creative Ways to Present
For parties, arrange the squares on a wooden board surrounded by bowls of marinara sauce, ranch dip, or even a zesty roasted red pepper sauce for dipping variety. They look stunning stacked pyramid-style or laid out in a colorful circular pattern to invite guests to dig in.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
You can store any leftover squares in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to three days. Just be sure to let them cool completely before refrigerating to keep the pastry from becoming soggy.
Freezing
If you want to make these in advance, prepare and bake the squares fully, then cool and freeze them in a single layer on a baking sheet. Once frozen, transfer to a freezer-safe bag or container for up to a month. This makes it easy to thaw and reheat when needed.
Reheating
Reheat your leftovers in a preheated 350°F oven for about 10 minutes until warm and crisp again. Avoid microwaving as it can make the pastry soft and chewy instead of flaky and delicious.
FAQs
Can I use fresh spinach instead of frozen?
Absolutely! Just be sure to sauté and drain the fresh spinach completely to remove excess moisture, which will help prevent soggy pastry.
What if I don’t have puff pastry?
You can try using phyllo dough for a crispier texture or a homemade pie crust, though puff pastry gives the best flakiness and rise.
Can this recipe be made vegan?
To make a vegan version, swap cream cheese and sour cream for plant-based alternatives and use vegan cheese blends. Puff pastry needs to be checked as well since many contain butter, but vegan versions are available.
How spicy is this recipe?
This dish is mild by default but you can add crushed red pepper flakes or a dash of hot sauce to the filling for a bit of heat.
How many squares does this recipe yield?
You’ll get about 16 party-sized squares – perfect for gatherings or as a hearty snack for a small group.
Final Thoughts
If you’re looking for a guaranteed crowd-pleaser that combines all the best parts of spinach artichoke dip with the convenience of handheld bites, this Spinach & Artichoke Dip Party Squares Recipe is exactly what you need. It’s straightforward, rich, and delightfully flaky – perfect to share with friends and family at your next get-together. Go ahead and give it a try; your guests will thank you!
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Spinach & Artichoke Dip Party Squares Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 16 squares
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Spinach & Artichoke Dip Party Squares are a crowd-pleasing appetizer featuring creamy, cheesy spinach and artichoke dip baked inside golden, flaky puff pastry. Easy to make and perfect for parties, game days, or holiday gatherings, these bite-sized squares are sure to disappear quickly.
Ingredients
Pastry
- 1 sheet puff pastry, thawed
Filling
- 4 oz cream cheese, softened
- ½ cup sour cream
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- ½ cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1 cup chopped frozen spinach, thawed and drained
- ½ cup canned or jarred artichoke hearts, chopped
- 1 garlic clove, minced
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
For Egg Wash
- 1 egg, beaten
Instructions
- Preheat oven: Set your oven to 400°F (200°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent sticking and allow easy cleanup.
- Prepare filling: In a mixing bowl, combine softened cream cheese, sour cream, Parmesan, mozzarella, chopped spinach, artichoke hearts, minced garlic, salt, and black pepper. Stir thoroughly until the mixture is smooth and evenly blended.
- Roll out pastry: Lightly flour a clean surface and roll out the thawed puff pastry sheet into a 10×14-inch rectangle. Transfer this to your prepared baking sheet carefully.
- Spread filling: Evenly spread the spinach-artichoke mixture over the puff pastry, leaving about a ½-inch border around the edges to allow the pastry to puff properly.
- Apply egg wash: Brush the edges of the pastry with the beaten egg. This will give the crust a beautiful, golden finish when baked.
- Bake: Place the baking sheet in the preheated oven and bake for 20–25 minutes until the pastry is puffed and golden brown, and the filling is set.
- Cool and serve: Allow the baked square to cool slightly on a wire rack, then cut into 16 squares or rectangles. Serve warm and enjoy.
Notes
- You can prepare the filling mixture ahead of time and store it in the refrigerator until ready to use.
- For added flavor, consider adding crushed red pepper flakes to the filling mixture.
- Swap the mozzarella cheese with Gruyère cheese for a nuttier taste.
