East-Meets-West Spanakopita Rice Paper Spiral

A crispy rice paper spanakopita spiral filled with chicken, spinach, mozzarella, and feta. A bold East-meets-West take on the Greek classic.

Prep Time 15

Cook Time 20

Total Time 35

Servings people

Calories 363kcal

Author Chef Josh

Equipment

Baking Sheet
Parchment Paper

Ingredients

3 rice paper sheets (standard size works best, typically 8.5-9 inches in diameter)
2 eggs
½ cup shredded roast chicken
½ cup sautéed spinach
½ cup shredded mozzarella
½ cup crumbled feta
Sesame seeds
Salt and pepper
Lemon for serving

Instructions

Make the Filling: Combine chicken, spinach, mozzarella, and feta in a bowl. Season with salt and pepper and mix to combine.
Prep the Rice Paper: Whisk eggs on a shallow plate. Dip each rice paper sheet into the egg wash for a few seconds, then lay flat on a lightly oiled board or cutting board.
Roll: Spoon the filling in a line across the center of each sheet and roll tightly into a cylinder.
Shape: Gently curve each roll around itself to form a spiral, tucking the end underneath to hold.
Season and Bake: Brush the outside of each spiral generously with egg wash and sprinkle with sesame seeds. Bake at 400°F for 15–20 minutes until golden brown and crisp all over.
Serve: Serve warm with lemon wedges on the side.

Video

Notes

Rice paper softens quickly once it hits the egg wash, so work efficiently. Have your filling ready before you start dipping. If a sheet tears slightly, it's not a problem — just press it back together and keep going. The egg wash acts as a glue and will seal small tears during the bake.
Don't overfill. It's tempting to pack in as much filling as possible, but too much makes rolling difficult and can cause the spiral to unravel in the oven. A line of filling roughly the thickness of your thumb down the center of each sheet is the right amount.
Make sure your spinach is properly drained before mixing it into the filling. Excess moisture is the main reason spirals come out soft on the bottom instead of crispy. Squeeze it in a clean kitchen towel or press it firmly in a colander before you use it.
The sesame seeds on the outside aren't just aesthetic. They add a nuttiness that works really well against the salty feta and complement the overall flavor in a way that's subtle but noticeable. Don't skip them.
You can swap the chicken for roasted vegetables if you want a vegetarian version. Roasted zucchini, sun-dried tomatoes, or roasted red peppers all work well with the cheese base. Just make sure any vegetables you use are fully cooked and as dry as possible before rolling.
This spiral is best served fresh while the exterior is crisp. If you need to reheat, the oven or air fryer at 350°F for 5 minutes brings it back well. The microwave will soften the rice paper and you'll lose the crunch entirely.

Nutrition