These Crispy Oven Fried Feta Rolls with Chili Honey are the ultimate sweet and savory appetizer. Featuring flaky layers of phyllo dough wrapped around a garlic-dill feta filling, they are baked until shatteringly crisp and served with a warm, spicy honey drizzle.
Perfect for parties or a fancy snack, these golden rolls deliver a gourmet experience with surprisingly simple preparation.
Recipe Details
- Flavor Profile: A bold mix of salty, tangy feta and aromatic dill, perfectly balanced by the sweet heat of the cumin-infused chili honey.
- Texture: The ultra-crispy, flaky phyllo shell gives way to a warm, soft cheese filling, all coated in sticky, smooth honey.
- Time: 20 minutes prep, 20 minutes bake time.
- Difficulty: Intermediate. Working with delicate phyllo dough requires a gentle hand, but the rolling technique is straightforward.
What You’ll Need
To make this recipe, you will need a large baking sheet lined with parchment paper for the rolls and a small skillet to infuse the honey. A pastry brush is essential for coating the delicate phyllo sheets with oil. The ingredients rely on frozen phyllo dough (thawed properly), blocks of feta cheese, and pantry staples like honey and spices to create the addictive sauce.
Ingredient Notes
- Feta Cheese – Use a block of feta and crumble it yourself for the best texture. It provides the salty, savory heart of the dish.
- Phyllo Dough – You need frozen phyllo dough, thawed overnight in the fridge. These paper-thin sheets create the signature crisp layers.
- Fresh Dill – Chopped dill adds a fresh, herbal note that lightens the rich cheese.
- Honey – A good quality honey serves as the base for the dipping sauce, providing sweetness to counter the salty feta.
- Chili Flakes – Red pepper flakes add the necessary heat to the honey. Adjust the amount to your spice tolerance.
- Cumin Seed – Whole cumin seeds toasted in butter add an earthy, aromatic crunch to the sauce.
- Olive Oil & Butter – Olive oil is used to brush the pastry for crispness, while butter enriches the warm honey sauce.
- Garlic – A grated clove adds a pungent kick to the cheese mixture.
Add-ins and Substitutions
- Herbs – If you don’t like dill, fresh mint or oregano pairs beautifully with feta and honey.
- Nuts – A sprinkle of toasted sesame seeds on top of the rolls before baking adds extra crunch and flavor.
- Lemon – Adding a squeeze of lemon juice or zest to the honey sauce can brighten up the flavors.
How to Make Crispy Oven Fried Feta Rolls with Chili Honey
- Prep: Preheat the oven to 425° F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Make Filling: In a bowl, combine the crumbled feta cheese, chopped dill, and grated garlic. Place about 1/4 cup of olive oil in a separate small bowl for brushing.
- Roll: Place 1 sheet of phyllo dough on a clean surface and gently fold it in half crosswise to create a sturdier rectangle. Brush the phyllo lightly with olive oil, focusing on the edges. On the short end of the dough, add 1 rounded tablespoon of the feta mixture. Roll the phyllo up over the filling, folding the side edges in to seal it, just like a burrito.
- Arrange: Place the roll seam-side down on the prepared baking sheet. Repeat this process to make 12-16 rolls.
- Bake: Brush the top of each phyllo roll generously with olive oil. Bake for 20 minutes, or until the rolls are deep golden brown and crispy on top.
- Make Chili Honey: Meanwhile, in a small skillet, melt together the butter, 1 tablespoon of olive oil, chili flakes, and cumin seeds. Cook over medium heat until fragrant and the seeds sizzle, about 1-2 minutes. Remove from the heat and stir in the honey until smooth and warm.
- Serve: Serve the rolls warm with the chili honey sauce for dipping or drizzling over the top.
Pro Tip: Phyllo dough dries out instantly. Keep the stack of unused phyllo sheets covered with a slightly damp kitchen towel (not wet!) while you work on rolling each piece. This prevents them from becoming brittle and cracking.
Recipe Tips
- Seam Side Down: Always place the rolls seam-side down on the baking sheet. The weight of the roll will keep it sealed as it bakes, preventing it from unravelling.
- Don’t Overstuff: Stick to a rounded tablespoon of filling. If you overfill them, the cheese might burst out during baking, and the rolls won’t be as crisp.
- Honey Consistency: If your honey sauce thickens too much while sitting, just warm it gently over low heat for a few seconds to make it pourable again.
FAQs
- Can I fry these instead? Yes, the name “Oven Fried” implies baking, but you can shallow fry these in a skillet with oil for an even crispier, more traditional texture.
- Can I make these ahead? Phyllo is best baked fresh. However, you can assemble the rolls, place them on the baking sheet, cover tightly with plastic wrap, and refrigerate for a few hours before baking.
- Is this spicy? The heat is customizable. 1 teaspoon of chili flakes is mild-medium, while 2 teaspoons packs a punch. The sweetness of the honey tames the heat significantly.
Serving Suggestions
- Mezze Platter: Serve alongside olives, hummus, and pita chips for a Mediterranean spread.
- Wine: A glass of crisp white wine or rosé pairs perfectly with the salty cheese.
- Salad: Serve a couple of rolls alongside a cucumber and tomato salad for a light lunch.
Make This Recipe in Advance
- Honey Sauce: You can infuse the honey ahead of time and store it in a jar. Warm it up before serving.
- Filling: The feta mixture can be mixed a day in advance and stored in the fridge.
Crispy Oven Fried Feta Rolls with Chili Honey
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 12-16 Rolls 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
These Crispy Oven Fried Feta Rolls with Chili Honey are the ultimate sweet and savory appetizer. Featuring flaky layers of phyllo dough wrapped around a garlic-dill feta filling, they are baked until shatteringly crisp and served with a warm, spicy honey drizzle. Perfect for parties or a fancy snack, these golden rolls deliver a gourmet experience with surprisingly simple preparation.
Ingredients
The Feta Rolls
- 8 ounces feta cheese, crumbled (use a block for best texture)
- 16–20 sheets frozen phyllo dough, thawed
- 2 tablespoons fresh dill, chopped
- 1 clove garlic, grated
- Extra virgin olive oil (for brushing)
The Chili Honey Sauce
- 1/3 cup honey
- 1 tablespoon salted butter
- 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
- 1–2 teaspoons chili flakes (adjust for heat)
- 1/2 teaspoon cumin seeds
Instructions
Prep
Preheat the oven to 425°F (220°C). Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper.
Crucial Setup
Keep your stack of thawed phyllo dough covered with a slightly damp kitchen towel while you work. If exposed to air, the sheets dry out and crumble instantly.
Make Filling
In a medium bowl, mix the crumbled feta cheese, chopped dill, and grated garlic until combined.
Roll
Place 1 sheet of phyllo dough on a clean surface. Gently fold it in half crosswise to create a sturdier rectangle. Lightly brush the surface with olive oil. Place 1 rounded tablespoon of the feta mixture on the short end of the dough rectangle. Roll the phyllo up over the filling, tucking the side edges in as you go (like a burrito) to seal the cheese inside.
Arrange
Place the roll seam-side down on the prepared baking sheet. Repeat to make 12–16 rolls.
Bake
Generously brush the tops of all the rolls with olive oil. Bake for 20 minutes, or until deep golden brown and crispy.
Make Chili Honey
While rolls bake, place a small skillet over medium heat. Melt the butter with 1 tablespoon olive oil, chili flakes, and cumin seeds. Cook for 1–2 minutes until fragrant and the cumin seeds sizzle. Remove from heat and stir in the honey until smooth and warm.
Serve
Transfer hot rolls to a platter and drizzle with the warm chili honey, or serve the sauce on the side for dipping.
Notes
Seam Side Down: This is non-negotiable! The weight of the roll keeps it sealed while baking. If placed seam-side up, they will unravel in the oven.
Don’t Overstuff: Stick to 1 tablespoon of filling. Overfilling causes the cheese to expand and burst out of the delicate pastry shell.
Phyllo Handling: Phyllo is delicate. If a sheet tears, don’t worry just patch it up or use the next one. The oil and baking process hide most imperfections.
Reheating: Phyllo loses its crunch in the microwave. Reheat leftovers in the oven or air fryer at 350°F for 5 minutes to restore the crispiness.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Mediterranean / Fusion
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 2 Rolls
- Calories: 240
- Sugar: 12g
- Sodium: 450mg
- Fat: 14g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 22g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 6g
- Cholesterol: 25mg
Keywords: feta rolls, phyllo dough recipes, spicy honey, savory appetizers, party finger food, vegetarian appetizers, crispy feta
