Golden Winter Spring Rolls
Butternut Squash Spring Rolls are a gorgeous blend of sweet, savory and crunchy. Tender roasted chicken and squash are mixed with creamy feta, honey, sage and butter cashews. Bake them from frozen for easy entertaining.
Prep Time: 35 minutes minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes minutes
Course: Appetizer
Cuisine: Fall, Holiday
Keyword: butternut squash spring rolls, chicken and butternut squash appetizer, Christmas spring roll recipe, easy phyllo pastry appetizers, freezer-friendly appetizers, make-ahead spring rolls
Servings: 24 spring rolls
For the Filling
- 1 small butternut squash peeled, cubed (3-4 cups)
- 2 tbsp olive oil plus extra for frying
- 2 Tbsp honey divided
- 4 chicken thighs
- 1 large onion finely chopped
- 2 garlic cloves finely chopped
- 1/4 cup finely chopped cashews
- 1 handful sage leaves finely chopped
- 1/4-1/2 tsp chili flakes adjust to taste
- 1 1/2 cups crumbled feta
For Assembly
- 10 sheets phyllo pastry thawed
- 1/2 cup melted butter you may need more to keep the phyllo pliable for folding
- 2 Tbsp sesame seeds
Make the Filling
Preheat the oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. Toss the cubed squash with 2 Tbsp oil and 1 Tbsp honey. Spread on a baking sheet and roast for 20-22 minutes, until golden and soft.
While the squash roasts, season the chicken thighs with salt and pepper. Pan-sear or roast until fully cooked. Chop or shred into small pieces.
Sauté the the onion in a little oil in a skillet. Sauté until soft, add garlic and chopped cashews. Cook until golden and fragrant; about 5 minutes. Sir in the sage and chili flakes. Add 1 Tbsp honey to glaze everything lightly. Remove from heat
Mix the Filling
Combine in a large bowl: Roasted Squash, Cooked Chicken, Onion-nut Mixture, Crumbled Feta.
Taste and adjust seasoning ( more chili flakes, honey or sage if desired)
Assembling the Spring Rolls
Keep the phyllo covered with a barely damp towel to prevent it from drying out.
Use 1 heaping Tbsp of filling per spring roll.
Lay out one phyllo sheet.
Brush lightly with melted butter
Place 1 heaping Tbsp of filling at the bottom of the sheet
Roll up tightly like a cigar
Halfway through rolling, fold in the sides to seal.
Finish rolling and place seam-side down on a parchment lined baking sheet.
Brush the top with a little butter and sprinkle with sesame seeds.
Repeat until filling is used.
How to Freeze
Lay rolls in a single layer on a parchment lined baking sheet.
Freeze for 2-3 hours until solid.
Transfer to a labeled freezer bag or container. They will stay fresh for up to 3 months