A novel method based on ionic liquid enhanced magnetic solid-phase extraction (MSPE) coupled with high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) for the separation/analysis of phthalate esters (PAEs) in food samples was established. 1-hexyl-3-methylimidazoliu-hexafluorophosphate ([C6MIM][PF6]) was used to coat oleic acid Fe3O4 nanoparticles with core-shell structures to prepare MSPE agents (Fe3O4@OA@IL). The main parameters affecting the extraction efficiency of PAEs were studied. Under the optimal conditions, the calibration curves were linear in the range of 5-5000 ng mL(-1) (R-2 = 0.9972-0.9998) of four PAEs. The limit of detections (LODs) and relative standard deviations (RSDs, n = 5) of the method were 1.27-2.95 ng mL(-1) and 3.9-5.3%, respectively.