How To Make Feta & Thyme Filo Cigars
These feta filo cigars make a great snack or appetiser to share with family and friends. Feta and thyme are the perfect flavour match, and the hot honey dip will have your guests coming back for seconds and thirds! Filo pastry can be a bit tricky to manage, the secret is to stop it from drying out – so always keep it covered with a damp cloth, and just use a few sheets at a time.
Ingredients
½ cup The Good Oil extra virgin sunflower oil
1 x 375g packet filo pastry
200g feta, crumbled
150g cream cheese
½ cup grated mozzarella cheese
½ tsp garlic powder
4 spring onions, finely chopped
1 egg
A handful each of fresh thyme and dill, chopped
2 tbsp sesame seeds
¼ cup runny honey
½ tsp chilli flakes
½ tsp sumac
2 cloves of garlic, finely chopped
Method
Heat oven to 180c and line a tray with baking paper. In a large bowl mix together the feta, cream cheese, mozzarella, garlic powder, spring onions, egg, herbs and black pepper. The mixture will come together easily if the ingredients are at room temperature – alternatively, if your ingredients are cold, you can quickly blitz the mixture in a food processor.
Remove filo sheets from the packaging, and keep them covered with a damp teatowel. Work with two sheets at a time, laying them flat side by side, and gently brush the top side of each sheet with a little oil, then fold in half (short sides together) and press flat. Place a few spoonfuls of the feta mix in the centre of the pastry and spread roughly into a line. Fold up each side loosely (the filling will expand in the oven) towards the centre, then take one end and roll up the cigar to the end of the sheet. Place on the prepared tray, brush with a little more oil, and sprinkle with sesame seeds. Repeat until all the cheese mixture is used up, then bake for 20 minutes or until the edges turn golden.
While the cigars are baking, add the honey, chilli flakes, sumac and garlic to a small pot and cook over a medium heat until the honey starts to bubble. Remove from the heat and transfer to a ramekin.
When the cigars are done carefully transfer them to a platter, garnish with a few sprigs of fresh thyme then serve immediately with the hot honey for dipping.
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The Good Oil is locally grown in New Zealand and cold-pressed with minimal processing, retaining its natural nutrients and fresh taste. It’s a clean, GE-free oil cold pressed without chemicals, offering a healthy, versatile choice —perfect for frying, roasting, baking, and salads. A great alternative to olive oil, it brings natural sunflower taste without overpowering your dish.
South Island Sunflower Crops
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