Kleftiko Bites

Kleftiko Bites are a delightful Greek snack that combines tender, slow-cooked lamb with aromatic herbs and spices, all wrapped in crispy phyllo pastry. These bite-sized morsels are perfect for sharing and bring a taste of Greece to your table.

Kleftiko Bites
60 minutes
Difficulty: Medium
Greek
350 kcal

Ingredients

  • Lamb shoulder - 250 grams, cut into small pieces
  • Olive oil - 2 tablespoons
  • Garlic - 2 cloves, minced
  • Lemon juice - 1 tablespoon
  • Dried oregano - 1 teaspoon
  • Ground cinnamon - 1/4 teaspoon
  • Salt - 1/2 teaspoon
  • Black pepper - 1/4 teaspoon
  • Phyllo pastry - 4 sheets
  • Butter - 50 grams, melted
  • Feta cheese - 50 grams, crumbled
  • Fresh parsley - 2 tablespoons, chopped

Steps

  1. Preheat the oven to 200°C (400°F).
  2. In a bowl, mix the lamb pieces with olive oil, minced garlic, lemon juice, oregano, cinnamon, salt, and black pepper. Marinate for at least 30 minutes.
  3. Heat a skillet over medium heat and cook the marinated lamb for about 10 minutes, until browned and cooked through. Remove from heat and let it cool slightly.
  4. On a clean surface, lay out 1 sheet of phyllo pastry and brush with melted butter. Place another sheet on top and brush with more butter. Repeat this for a total of 2 layers.
  5. Cut the layered phyllo pastry into squares (approximately 10x10 cm).
  6. Place a spoonful of the cooked lamb, a sprinkle of feta cheese, and some chopped parsley in the center of each square.
  7. Fold the corners of the phyllo pastry over the filling to form a bite-sized parcel and brush the tops with more melted butter.
  8. Place the kleftiko bites on a baking tray lined with parchment paper and bake for 20-25 minutes, or until golden brown and crispy.
  9. Serve warm with a squeeze of lemon and extra parsley for garnish.

Nutrition

  • Calories: 350
  • Protein: 22 g
  • Carbs: 30 g
  • Fiber: 1 g
  • Sugar: 1 g
  • Sodium: 480 mg
  • Cholesterol: 70 mg
  • Total Fat: 22 g
  • Saturated Fat: 10 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
  • Water: 0.2 L

Health Benefits

  • High in protein from the lamb and feta cheese, supporting muscle health.
  • Rich in healthy fats from olive oil, promoting heart health.

Tags

GreekHalalSnack