Air Fryer Recipe
Crispy Leek Filo Pastries
Crispy leek filo pastries make a lovely, fuss-free appetiser, and they come out beautifully in the air fryer.
Ingredients
- 2 large leeks, washed and finely sliced
- 200g feta cheese, crumbled
- 50g unsalted butter
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 teaspoon dried dill
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 6 sheets of filo pastry
- 1 egg, beaten (for glazing)
Method
- Heat the olive oil in a skillet over a medium heat. Add the sliced leeks, season with salt and pepper, and cook until softened, about 10 minutes. Leave them to cool slightly.
- Tip the cooked leeks into a bowl with the crumbled feta and dill. Mix well so everything is evenly combined.
- Melt the butter, then lightly brush one sheet of filo pastry and lay another sheet on top. Brush again with butter and repeat until all the filo sheets are used.
- Cut the layered filo sheets into squares.
- Place a heaped tablespoon of the leek and feta mixture in the centre of each square.
- Bring the edges of each filo square together and twist slightly to seal in the filling, making a parcel.
- Brush each pastry with the beaten egg for a crisp finish.
- Preheat your air fryer to 180°C (350°F).
- Set the filo parcels in the air fryer basket, making sure they do not touch. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may need to cook them in batches.
- Air fry each batch for 10-12 minutes, or until the pastries are golden brown and crispy.
- Leave to cool for a few minutes before serving.
Why this works in an air fryer
The air fryer uses rapid convection to circulate hot air, ensuring the filo pastry crisps evenly while the filling heats through, preventing sogginess.
Equipment notes
Assumes a standard 3.5L basket; for dual-zone fryers, use the top zone for even browning. Adjust time if using a larger basket due to heat distribution.
Common pitfalls
- Pastries not browning by minute 10? Increase temperature by 10°C for the last 2 minutes — filling may be too wet.
- Filo tearing during assembly? Ensure butter is fully melted and brush lightly; excess moisture weakens the pastry.
- Filling leaking out? Use less filling per parcel and ensure edges are tightly twisted.
Variations & substitutions
- Substitute feta with ricotta for a creamier texture; increase air frying time by 2 minutes to ensure firmness.
- Add chopped spinach to the leek mixture for extra flavour; reduce leek quantity to prevent overfilling.
- Use puff pastry instead of filo for a different texture; increase cooking time to 15 minutes for full puffing.
Storage & reheating
Reheat in the air fryer at 160°C for 3-4 minutes. Keeps in the fridge for up to 3 days.
Nutrition
Calories: 250
