Jan 11, 2021
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Cheesy, spinach balls that taste like spinach dip are the real deal and a delicious way to get your family to eat their leafy greens.
Watch how this simple recipe comes together in the video below:
Not convinced your family will want to eat anything with green in it? Try these savory bites. Spinach, breadcrumbs, cheese, and garlic butter all rolled up and baked to perfection, what’s not to love?
Healthy Spinach Balls
Made with real ingredients and frozen spinach, these bites are a great idea when you need a quick appetizer or something to pack for lunch outside of a sandwich.
We all know spinach is an excellent source of vitamins and nutrients, and this is one of those few spinach recipes anyone will gladly inhale and ask for more.
What Goes in Spinach Balls?
These spinach bites taste like a cross between spinach dip and Italian stuffing- super delicious and a lighter option at only 119 calories a serving.
For this recipe, I use frozen spinach. It has already been chopped and steamed, so that’s one less step. Here’s a peek at everything you’ll need to make these bites:
- Unsalted butter
- Chopped onions
- Garlic
- Spinach
- Breadcrumbs
- Eggs
- Grated Parmesan cheese
- Salt
- Black pepper
If gluten is an issue in your family, swap the regular breadcrumbs for gluten-free, it doesn’t make a difference in taste, and you can feel safe about serving it to guests with sensitivities.
Making Spinach Balls Step-By-Step
One recipe yields about 40 to 45 spinach balls with two per serving, so you can feed a crowd or depend on them to fuel at least 2 lunches for the entire family. Here’s how to make that happen:
- Prep
Preheat the oven to 350F. Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper. - Make the Garlic Butter
In a large saucepan, melt the butter over medium-high heat. Add the onions, garlic, and cook until fragrant. Remove from heat. - Make the Spinach Mixture
In a large bowl, combine the spinach, breadcrumbs, eggs, Parmesan cheese, salt, pepper, and butter mixture. Stir to combine. - Grab a Scoop
Using a cooking scoop or tablespoon, scoop the mixture into your hands and roll into a ball. Place on the baking sheet and repeat with the remaining dough. - Bake until Golden Brown
Bake the spinach balls for 15 to 20 minutes or until lightly browned. Remove from heat and allow to cool slightly before serving.
If you’re making these spinach bites for lunches, bake them ahead and store the batch in an airtight container for up to a week. When you’re ready for bite-size cheesy goodness, pop them in the microwave and pack into lunch containers with dipping sauce on the side. BOOM!
How to Serve Spinach Balls
I often serve these as a party appetizer, side dish or pack for easy lunches. There is no wrong way to enjoy them.
Since they’re made with Parmesan cheese and breadcrumbs, marinara is my family’s sauce of choice. You can do Ranch or another favorite sauce, and I made sure to leave a few recommendations for yummy dips below.
If you want to turn them into a substantial dinner, treat them like meatballs and serve them with tomato sauce and spaghetti. Don’t be surprised when your family asks for second helpings.
Can You Freeze Spinach Balls
To freeze, you will make the recipe as directed but omit the baking step. Place them onto a baking sheet, leaving space in between each bite. Freeze for 4 hours or until solid, then transfer to a large zip bag and keep frozen for 3 months.
Spinach Balls Dipping Sauce
Spinach balls are made to be dunked into sauce and in case you can’t decide what to serve them with, here are a few of my favorite options:
Still can’t decide; why not make all 4?! You won’t regret it, and any leftover tomato sauce or dressing can be used for other lunches and dinners in the week.
Baked Spinach Balls with Parmesan
Ingredients
- ½ cup unsalted butter
- ½ cup chopped onions
- 1 clove garlic minced
- 20 ounces frozen chopped spinach thawed and drained*
- 1 ½ cups breadcrumbs
- 6 eggs
- 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon pepper
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- In a large pan, melt the butter over medium-high heat. Add the onions and cook until soft. Add the garlic and stir. Remove from heat and set aside.
- In a large bowl, combine the spinach, breadcrumbs, eggs, Parmesan cheese, salt, pepper, and butter mixture. Stir to thoroughly combine.
- Using a small cookie scoop or spoon, scoop the mixture into your hands and roll into a ball, and place them on the baking sheet.
- Bake for 15 to 20 minutes, until lightly browned.
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