Lucky Clover St Patricks

Featured in: Game Day Snacks

These festive bites feature a creamy blend of fresh spinach, cream cheese, and sharp cheddar wrapped in golden, flaky puff pastry. Seasoned with garlic, salt, and pepper, each bite is folded into a charming four-leaf clover shape and baked until puffed and golden. Garnished with fresh basil leaves for a celebratory touch, they make a delightful appetizer for any St Patricks Day gathering. Easy to prepare and packed with vegetarian-friendly flavors, they pair wonderfully with cold lagers or sparkling lime water.

Updated on Tue, 02 Dec 2025 10:27:00 GMT
Golden, flaky Lucky Clover St. Patrick's Day Bites, filled with creamy spinach and cheese, ready to eat. Save to Pinterest
Golden, flaky Lucky Clover St. Patrick's Day Bites, filled with creamy spinach and cheese, ready to eat. | yummywithmia.com

Festive, bite-sized snacks featuring a creamy spinach and cheese filling wrapped in golden pastry, perfect for celebrating St. Patricks Day.

Ingredients

  • Filling: 100 g fresh spinach, chopped, 125 g cream cheese, softened, 60 g shredded cheddar cheese, 1 garlic clove, minced, 1/4 tsp salt, 1/8 tsp black pepper
  • Pastry: 1 sheet puff pastry, thawed (about 250 g), 1 egg, beaten (for egg wash)
  • Decoration: 24 small fresh basil leaves (for clover effect)

Instructions

Step 1:
Preheat the oven to 200°C (400°F). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
Step 2:
In a pan over medium heat, wilt the spinach for 1 minute, then squeeze out excess moisture and cool slightly.
Step 3:
In a bowl, mix the spinach, cream cheese, cheddar, garlic, salt, and pepper until fully combined.
Step 4:
Unroll the puff pastry and cut into 24 equal squares (about 5 x 5 cm each).
Step 5:
Place 1 heaping teaspoon of the filling in the center of each square.
Step 6:
Fold the corners of each square towards the center, pinching to seal and form a four-leaf clover shape.
Step 7:
Brush the tops with beaten egg.
Step 8:
Bake for 15 18 minutes, or until the pastry is golden and puffed.
Step 9:
Remove from the oven and immediately garnish each bite with a fresh basil leaf clover on top.
Step 10:
Let cool slightly before serving.
Freshly baked Lucky Clover St. Patrick's Day Bites, showcasing golden pastry with four fresh basil clovers. Save to Pinterest
Freshly baked Lucky Clover St. Patrick's Day Bites, showcasing golden pastry with four fresh basil clovers. | yummywithmia.com

Notes

Pair with a cold Irish lager or sparkling water with lime.

Required Tools

Baking sheet, parchment paper, mixing bowl, knife, small pan, pastry brush

Allergen Information

Contains Milk, Egg, Wheat (gluten, in puff pastry) If using store-bought puff pastry, check for potential traces of nuts or soy.

Vibrant plate of freshly-baked Lucky Clover St. Patrick's Day Bites, a savory vegetarian appetizer. Save to Pinterest
Vibrant plate of freshly-baked Lucky Clover St. Patrick's Day Bites, a savory vegetarian appetizer. | yummywithmia.com

Common Recipe Questions

Can I substitute the spinach with other greens?

Yes, baby kale or arugula can be used as alternatives to spinach for a slightly different flavor profile.

What type of cheese works best in the filling?

A combination of cream cheese and shredded cheddar provides a creamy and tangy taste that complements the greens.

How do I achieve the golden puff pastry finish?

Brushing the bites with beaten egg before baking helps create a shiny, golden crust.

Can I prepare these bites ahead of time?

Assemble the bites and keep them refrigerated before baking to maintain freshness if preparing in advance.

What drinks pair well with these festive bites?

Cold Irish lagers or sparkling water with a splash of lime complement the flavors nicely.

Lucky Clover St Patricks

Festive spinach and cheese filled bites wrapped in flaky puff pastry, perfect for St Patricks Day.

Prep Time
20 minutes
Cooking Duration
18 minutes
Overall Time
38 minutes
Created by Mia

Recipe Type Game Day Snacks

Skill Level Easy

Culinary Origin American

Total Output 24 Portion Size

Dietary Preferences Vegetarian-Friendly

What You'll Need

Filling

01 3.5 oz fresh spinach, chopped
02 4.4 oz cream cheese, softened
03 2.1 oz shredded cheddar cheese
04 1 garlic clove, minced
05 1/4 tsp salt
06 1/8 tsp black pepper

Pastry

01 1 sheet puff pastry, thawed (about 8.8 oz)
02 1 egg, beaten (for egg wash)

Decoration

01 24 small fresh basil leaves (for clover effect)

Steps to Follow

Step 01

Preheat oven and prepare baking sheet: Preheat the oven to 400°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

Step 02

Wilt spinach: In a small pan over medium heat, wilt the chopped spinach for 1 minute. Squeeze out excess moisture and allow to cool slightly.

Step 03

Combine filling ingredients: In a mixing bowl, thoroughly combine the wilted spinach, softened cream cheese, shredded cheddar, minced garlic, salt, and black pepper.

Step 04

Cut puff pastry: Unroll the puff pastry sheet and cut it into 24 equal squares, approximately 2 x 2 inches each.

Step 05

Portion filling: Place a heaping teaspoon of the filling into the center of each pastry square.

Step 06

Form clover shapes: Fold the corners of each square towards the center, gently pinching to seal and create a four-leaf clover shape.

Step 07

Apply egg wash: Brush the tops of each pastry bite with the beaten egg to promote browning.

Step 08

Bake pastries: Bake for 15 to 18 minutes, or until the pastries are golden brown and puffed.

Step 09

Add basil decoration: Remove from oven and immediately top each bite with a small fresh basil leaf to create the clover effect.

Step 10

Cool and serve: Allow the bites to cool slightly before serving.

Tools Required

  • Baking sheet
  • Parchment paper
  • Mixing bowl
  • Knife
  • Small pan
  • Pastry brush

Allergy Warnings

Please review individual ingredients for potential allergens and reach out to a healthcare professional if unsure.
  • Contains milk, egg, and wheat (gluten in puff pastry). Check puff pastry packaging for potential traces of nuts or soy.

Nutritional Info (per serving)

These details are for reference only and shouldn't replace professional medical consultation.
  • Calories Count: 82
  • Fats: 5 grams
  • Carbohydrates: 7 grams
  • Proteins: 2 grams