Ingredients
- Feta Cheese: 8 oz block (brine-packed, cut into 12 sticks)
- Phyllo Dough: 1 package (12 sheets, thawed overnight)
- Unsalted Butter: 6 tablespoons (melted)
- Honey: 1/4 cup
- Crushed Red Pepper Flakes: 1 to 1 1/2 teaspoons
- Sesame Seeds: 2 tablespoons
- Freshly Ground Black Pepper: 1/2 teaspoon
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. In a small bowl, whisk together the honey and crushed red pepper flakes to create the chili honey; set aside.
- Step 2: Lay out the thawed phyllo dough and cover the unused sheets with a damp towel to prevent them from drying out. Take one sheet of phyllo, brush lightly with melted butter, and top with a second sheet. Brush the second sheet with butter, place one feta stick near the bottom edge, and sprinkle lightly with black pepper.
- Step 3: Fold the sides of the phyllo inward over the feta stick, then tightly roll the dough up from the bottom to form a small, cigar-shaped roll. Repeat this process with the remaining feta and phyllo sheets, placing each finished roll seam-side down on the prepared baking sheet.
- Step 4: Brush the tops of all the feta rolls liberally with the remaining melted butter, ensuring they are well coated. Sprinkle the rolls evenly with sesame seeds. Bake for 15 to 20 minutes, or until the phyllo is deeply golden brown and crispy.
- Step 5: Immediately after removing the rolls from the oven, quickly warm the reserved chili honey (about 15 seconds in the microwave if needed). Arrange the hot feta rolls on a serving platter and generously drizzle the spicy chili honey over them before serving.
Notes
- To ensure your phyllo doesn't dry out and crack while you are rolling, keep all unused sheets completely covered with a lightly damp kitchen towel until the moment they are needed.
- Serve these savory-sweet rolls alongside a crisp, peppery arugula salad dressed simply with lemon juice and olive oil for a perfect, refreshing contrast.
- If prepping ahead, complete Step 3 and freeze the unbaked rolls solid; store them in a freezer bag and bake from frozen, adding about 5-8 minutes to the specified baking time.
- Reheat leftover baked rolls in a toaster oven or on a baking sheet in a 350°F oven for about 5 minutes to restore the crispy texture, as the microwave will make them soggy.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American