What’s not to love about layers of flaky pastry, tender spinach, and salty, melted cheese? Nothing! That’s why Trader Joe’s spanakopita in the air fryer is one of my favorite snacks and appetizers. Plus, they cook from frozen and are ready in less than 15 minutes!
Spanakopitais a traditional Greek spinach pie, which also contains cheeses, herbs, and seasonings wrapped in a flaky phyllo dough crust. It can be served in an actual pie-style presentation, but it is often cut into squares or small triangles to serve as an appetizer.
Trader Joe’s has done all the hard work when it comes to making the spanakopita in this case, offering frozen premade triangles that are ready to cook right from your freezer! The air fryer does a perfect job of getting them crispy, flaky, and delicious.
Note that this preparation is for TJ’s individual spanakopita triangles, which come in a 12-ounce box with a dozen individual portions. Trader Joe’s also makes a full-size spanakopita pie. You can cook this in your air fryer as well, but it will take significantly more time due to the size.
What You’ll Need
12-ounce box Trader Joe’s spanakopita triangles
Ingredient Notes and Tips
This preparation method works with any brand of frozen spanakopita. If you don’t have a Trader Joe’s nearby, try it with Good & Gather (Target), Cuisine Adventures (Costco), Fresh Market, Athens, or Rodoula brands instead
Spanakopita is delicious on its own. However, if you want to add a dipping sauce to your Greek appetizer spread, try tzatziki, a squeeze of lemon juice, or garlic yogurt sauce
How to Cook Frozen Spanakopita in an Air Fryer
Preheat your air fryer to 350°F
Remove frozen spanakopita from all packaging and place into the preheated air fryer basket in a single layer. Allow some air space between each for expansion during cooking
Cook on the air fry setting for 10 minutes at 350°F, pausing halfway through to flip the spanakopita
Spanakopita is done when the exterior is lightly browned and crisp to the touch, and the internal temperature reaches 165°F. Add an additional 1-3 minutes of cooking time if needed to achieve this
Cool for 2 minutes (the insides will be very hot) and serve!
What to Serve With Spanakopita
Greek salad
Cucumber salad
Stuffed grape leaves
Tabbouleh
Feta
Labneh
Lemon chicken
Gyros
Falafel
Tzatziki sauce
Pita bread
Orzo
Couscous
Rice pilaf
Roasted potatoes
Olives
Hummus
Eggplant
There are a variety of great dishes to serve with spanakopita, from lighter to more hearty. Whether you’re making an appetizer platter, simple side, or a full meal, you have lots of delicious options.
Trader Joe’s spanakopita is a Greek appetizer consisting of spinach, ricotta, feta, onion, herbs, and seasonings wrapped in a phyllo dough.
It is available in the frozen foods section in a 12-count box.
Can You Cook Trader Joe’s Spanakopita in an Air Fryer?
Yes, you can cook Trader Joe’s spanakopita in an air fryer. It cooks directly from frozen, no defrosting required.
This is true for both their whole pie as well as the smaller triangular shaped spanakopita appetizers they offer.
Do I Need to Thaw Trader Joe’s Spanakopita Before Air Frying?
No, you do not need to thaw Trader Joe’s spanakopita before air frying.
Simply place the frozen triangles directly in the air fryer basket. Allow some room between them, as they will rise and expand during cooking as they defrost.
How Long Do You Cook Frozen Spanakopita For?
You cook frozen spanakopita for 10 minutes in an air fryer at 350°F, or in a conventional oven for approximately 20 minutes at 400°F.
Other preparation methods are not recommended, as they will either take long or produce a poorly textured result.
How Do You Reheat Spanakopita in an Air Fryer?
Reheat spanakopita in an air fryer for about 5 minutes at 350°F.
This may vary slightly based on your specific air fryer, as well as the size and shape of your spanakopita pieces.
Why is My Spanakopita Soggy on the Bottom?
Your spanakopita is soggy on the bottom due to excess moisture. When using frozen spanakopita, it’s important to flip it over during cooking to allow moisture to release from both sides.
If you’ve made a homemade version, it likely means you didn’t squeeze enough moisture from your spinach or cheese.
Recipe Expert Advice
Make sure to gently flip the spanakopita as the flaky crust breaks pretty easily. It’s still worth it though, as flipping ensures the bottoms won’t be wet and soggy. I recommend a spatulaor pair of tongsto assist here
You do not need to add any oil as the frozen spanakopita comes with it already in the coating. However, if you feel yours aren’t crisping or browning well, you can spritz a little more on
Use caution when biting into frozen appetizers, as they will be very hot inside. I like to bite off a corner to let steam escape for a minute so I don’t burn my tongue!
My spanakopita were 171°F per an instant read kitchen thermometer after 10 minutes in my Ninja Dual Zone air fryer. Other air fryers may vary slightly in required time to get to temperature
Storage and Reheating
Store any leftover spanakopita in a sealed container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days
Reheat your refrigerated spanakopita in the air fryer for 5 minutes at 350°F, or until warmed through. Do not refreeze previously frozen and cooked spanakopita
More Frozen Trader Joe’s Favorites For Your Air Fryer
Trader Joe’s spanakopita in the air fryer is one of my favorite frozen appetizers to make. They’re quick, easy, and most importantly, delicious! There’s no long wait like with the oven, no mess like deep frying, and you don’t sacrifice any flavor.
Whether you’re putting them out as part of a Greek platter, standalone appetizer, or even a side dish to a meal, TJ’s makes it so easy. You cook right from frozen and it takes under 15 minutes for hot, crispy, flaky spanakopita triangles!
If you love all things spinach, don’t miss out on my recipe for Air Fryer Spinach Balls, which are another easy appetizer to throw together, especially for holidays!
Trader Joe’s Spanakopita Air Fryer Instructions (From Frozen)
Trader Joe’s frozen spanakopita appetizer cooks up crispy, flaky, and delicious in under 15 minutes in your air fryer. This Greek favorite is packed with spinach, feta, and ricotta.
Remove frozen spanakopita from all packaging and place into the preheated air fryer basket in a single layer. Allow some air space between each for expansion during cooking
12 Ounce box Trader Joe's frozen spanakopita
Cook on the air fry setting for 10 minutes at 350°F, pausing halfway through to flip the spanakopita
Spanakopita is done when the exterior is lightly browned and crisp to the touch, and the internal temperature reaches at least 165°F. Add an additional 1-3 minutes of cooking time if needed to achieve this
Cool for 2 minutes (the insides will be very hot) and serve!
Notes
This preparation method works with any brand of frozen spanakopita. If you don’t have a Trader Joe’s nearby, try it with Good & Gather (Target), Cuisine Adventures (Costco), Fresh Market, Athens, or Rodoula brands instead
Cooking time is not affected by quantity so long as they fit in your air fryer basket. Feel free to make more or less at a time as desired
Spanakopita is delicious on its own. However, if you want to add a dipping sauce try tzatziki, a squeeze of lemon juice, or garlic yogurt sauce
Make sure to gently flip the spanakopita as the flaky crust breaks pretty easily. It’s still worth it though, as flipping ensures the bottoms won’t be wet and soggy. I recommend a spatula or pair of tongs to assist here
You do not need to add any oil as the frozen spanakopita comes with it already in the coating. However, if you feel yours aren’t crisping or browning well, you can spritz a little more on
Use caution when biting into them, as they will be very hot inside. I like to bite off a corner to let steam escape for a minute so I don’t burn my tongue!
My spanakopita were 171°F per an instant read kitchen thermometer after 10 minutes in my Ninja Dual Zone air fryer. Other air fryers may vary slightly in required time to get to temperature
Store any leftover spanakopita in a sealed container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days
Reheat your refrigerated spanakopita in the air fryer for 5 minutes at 350°F, or until warmed through. Do not refreeze previously frozen and cooked spanakopita
Exact nutritional values will vary based on brand of ingredients, any sauces or sides added, and quantity consumed, so please consider this a guideline only
I enjoy trying new recipes, creating my own, and dabbling with new techniques all the time. My husband loves to protest when I make him my guinea pig, but it’s all for the love of food!
My cooking philosophy is that great tasting food doesn't have to be complicated or time consuming to make. I'm a home cook with over 20 years of experience feeding myself and others. I've learned from a variety of different people, things I've learned online, and some trial and error as well.
I enjoy cooking a variety of foods, from convenience to comfort foods, as well as international cuisine. You can rest assured that all of my recipes have been actually made, thoroughly tested, and most importantly: tasted! I want you to enjoy my food as much as I do!
