Cheese Bread: Spinach, Feta, And Shelf Life

How long your cheese bread with spinach and feta will last depends on how you store it. If you keep it in an airtight container at room temperature, it will last for up to 5 days. You can also store it in the fridge for up to a week or in the freezer for up to 3 months.

How to make spinach and feta cheese bread rolls

Ingredients:

For the Bread Dough:

• Active dry yeast
• Granulated sugar
• Lukewarm water
• All-purpose flour
• Semolina flour for pan (optional)
• Olive oil

For the Spinach & Feta Filling:

• Onion (shallots, leeks, or none at all)
• Garlic cloves, grated
• Scallions, thinly sliced
• Spinach, roughly chopped
• Freshly cracked black pepper to taste
• Dried dill (use a tablespoon or so of fresh dill)
• Feta cheese (from the block)
• Mozzarella cheese (any gooey cheese will do, like gouda or gruyere)
• Dried oregano or thyme
• Granulated garlic powder

Method:

Activate the Yeast:

• Combine lukewarm water, yeast, and sugar in a mixing bowl.
• Set aside for about 8-10 minutes. A puffy, bubbly cloud on the liquid's surface indicates active yeast.

Prepare the Dough:

• Combine the yeast mixture with flour and salt in a large mixing bowl.
• Add a quarter cup of olive oil and knead on low for 10 minutes using a tabletop mixer with a dough hook attachment.
• Transfer the dough to a large bowl greased with 2-3 tablespoons of olive oil, coating the dough.
• Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and set it aside for the dough to rise for about 2-3 hours. The dough should double or triple in volume.

Prepare the Filling:

• Cook the onion with olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat until soft and golden (8-10 minutes).
• Add the garlic and scallions with a pinch of salt and cook until soft (about 2 minutes).
• Add the spinach in batches, seasoning each batch lightly with salt and pepper. Cook over high heat to evaporate the liquid.
• When most of the water has evaporated, remove from the heat and add the dill and crumbled feta cheese. Stir to combine.
• Adjust the seasoning to taste, then add the mozzarella cheese and stir until combined.

Assemble the Bread Rolls:

• Preheat the oven to 400°F or 200 °C.
• Divide the dough into 16 pieces and flatten each piece into a round disk.
• Place about a tablespoon of the filling in the center of each disk.
• Gather the edges of the dough towards the center, covering the filling, and pinch them together. Roll each piece into a ball to seal.
• Place the bread rolls into a 10-inch cast-iron skillet or 9x13 pan. For a crunchy bottom, sprinkle the pan with semolina flour.
• Brush the tops of the rolls with two tablespoons of unseasoned melted butter and set aside to rise for 30 minutes while the oven preheats.

Bake and Serve:

• Bake the rolls on the center rack for 30 minutes or until golden.
• Allow the rolls to sit at room temperature for 20 minutes before serving to prevent sogginess.
• These spinach and feta cheese bread rolls can be refrigerated in an airtight container for up to 5 days and then toasted in the oven before serving.

How to store spinach and feta bread

Storing your spinach and feta bread properly is essential to keep it fresh and delicious. Here are some detailed instructions on how to store your bread:

Storing at Room Temperature

Spinach and feta bread can be stored at room temperature for a short period. Place the bread in a resealable bag, such as a ziplock bag, and squeeze out as much air as possible before sealing. This method will keep your bread fresh for up to 3 days.

Refrigeration

If you want to extend the shelf life of your spinach and feta bread, storing it in the refrigerator is a good option. Place the bread in an airtight container or wrap it tightly in plastic wrap. It will stay fresh in the fridge for up to a week.

Freezing

For longer-term storage, freezing is the best option. Wrap the bread tightly in plastic cling film, making sure to remove as much air as possible. Then, wrap it again in aluminium foil to ensure it is well protected. Properly wrapped, the bread can be frozen for up to 3 months. When you're ready to enjoy your bread again, allow it to thaw at room temperature, and then reheat it in the oven to restore its delicious, freshly baked texture and taste.

Tips for Storing Spinach and Feta Bread

• It is important to let the bread cool completely before storing it.
• If you plan to freeze the bread, it is best to do so as soon as possible after it has cooled to maintain freshness.
• To maintain freshness, store the bread in a dry, cool place, away from sources of heat or direct sunlight.
• If you notice any mould on the bread, discard it immediately, as consuming mouldy bread can be harmful to your health.

How to serve spinach and feta bread

There are several ways to serve spinach and feta bread. Here are some ideas:

As a Side

You can serve spinach and feta bread as a side to a filling chicken dinner. It goes well with dishes such as creamy tomato and sausage penne, chicken Française, shaker chicken pudding, or creamy chicken Alfredo casserole.

With Soup or Stew

A warm bowl of soup or stew is also a perfect companion to this bread. Dip it in, and you’re in for a comforting meal.

With Pasta

You can also serve slices of this bread alongside your favourite pasta dishes. It’s an excellent sidekick for spaghetti, lasagna, or creamy Alfredo.

As an Appetizer

Spinach and feta pull-apart bread rolls are amazing as an appetizer, a brunch dish, or as a different kind of roll on your holiday table.

In a Lunchbox

Add it to your lunchbox with a boiled egg, cherry tomatoes, olives, and hummus, or layer a few slices of ham or salami on top for a delicious sandwich.

With a Salad

Keep it fresh and light with a simple salad dressed with vinaigrette. The bread’s cheesy richness pairs wonderfully with crisp greens.

With Mediterranean Dishes

Create a Mediterranean-inspired feast with hummus, olives, and fresh veggies, or serve it with Mediterranean meat dishes such as lamb kebabs with Greek salad or roast garlic lemon chicken.

For Breakfast

You can also serve this bread for breakfast, especially if it's gluten-free.

With Avocado

Toast a slice and spread it with creamy avocado topped with cherry tomatoes and a sprinkle of salt or dukkah. Add a fried or boiled egg for an even more satisfying meal.

Spinach and feta bread nutritional information

Spinach and feta bread is a delicious and fluffy treat, but how nutritious is it? Well, that depends on the recipe and the ingredients used. Most spinach and feta bread recipes will yield a savoury, soft, and cheesy bread.

Calories and Fats

The calorie count for spinach and feta bread can vary depending on the recipe and serving size. For example, one piece of spinach and feta stuffed cheesy bread from Domino's Pizza contains 140 calories. In contrast, a serving of 52 grams of the same bread has 160 calories. On the other hand, a recipe from Not Entirely Average yields a loaf that serves approximately eight people and has 287 calories per serving.

The calorie breakdown for the Domino's Pizza bread is 41% or 45% fat, 44% or 45% carbohydrates, and 15% or 17% protein. The recipe from Not Entirely Average has a higher fat content, with 20 grams of fat per serving, including 5 grams of saturated fat.

Vitamins and Minerals

Spinach and feta bread provides a variety of vitamins and minerals, although the amounts can vary depending on the specific recipe and ingredients used. For example, the Domino's Pizza bread contains monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats, as well as alpha-linolenic acid (ALA), docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA).

Sodium and Carbohydrates

The sodium content of spinach and feta bread can vary, with some recipes containing as little as 15 milligrams per serving, while others contain 410 milligrams. This bread also contains carbohydrates, with the Domino's Pizza version having 22 grams per serving, and the recipe from Not Entirely Average containing 20 grams per serving.

Protein and Sugar

Spinach and feta bread provides some protein, with the Domino's Pizza version containing 6 grams per serving, and the recipe from Not Entirely Average providing 7 grams. The sugar content is relatively low, with the Not Entirely Average recipe containing 2 grams per serving, while the Domino's Pizza bread has no added sugars.

Storage and Reheating

Spinach and feta bread can be stored and reheated in various ways. For example, the Not Entirely Average recipe suggests that leftovers can be refrigerated in an airtight container for up to 5 days and then toasted in the oven before serving. The Celebrating Flavors recipe suggests that the bread rolls can be frozen after baking, cooled completely, and placed in a freezer bag for up to 3 months. To reheat, preheat the oven to 180°C and bake for 5-8 minutes.

Variations on spinach and feta bread

There are many ways to put a spin on the classic spinach and feta bread. Here are some ideas for variations:

• Onion and garlic : For an oniony flavor, add scallions or chives. If using onions, sauté them before using them to reduce their sharpness. You could also add some grated garlic cloves.
• Herbs : Add fresh herbs to the mixture, such as dill, parsley, and oregano.
• Cheese : For extra creaminess, mix the feta with ricotta cheese before adding it to the filling.
• Nuts : For more crunch, add pine nuts to the filling.
• Meat : If you want to add something extra, you can add crispy bacon, chopped ham, or salami to the filling.
• Olives and tomatoes : You could add olives, jalapenos, or sun-dried tomatoes to the filling. Be careful not to overfill the bread, or the filling will spill out during baking.
• Bread variations : Don't want to make your own dough? Use store-bought bread dough or pizza dough. Or, instead of braiding the dough, you could try making pull-apart bread rolls or mini bread rolls.

Frequently asked questions