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Easy Spinach Balls

Parmesan Spinach Balls Recipe
Parmesan Spinach Balls Recipe
Parmesan Spinach Balls Recipe

These cheesy, savory spinach balls are the easiest way to get kids to eat spinach! Serve them as a party appetizer or packed into a lunch.

These baked spinach balls are so easy to make and a hit everywhere they go. Watch how they’re made in this quick recipe video.

Spinach Recipes for Kids

Not many kids are jumping to eat spinach and let’s be serious getting my kids to take a bite of steamed spinach? Please!

However, getting them to eat one of these cheesy, spinach bites? Now we’re talking! Like spinach dip, this is one of those spinach recipes anyone will gladly inhale and ask for more.

Parmesan Spinach Balls Recipe

Healthy Spinach Balls

These spinach bites can be packed into a container for a fun lunch or served at a party for a healthier alternative to regular appetizers. Since they’re made with Parmesan cheese and breadcrumbs I like to serve them with marinara sauce.

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.

Parmesan Spinach Balls Recipe

How to Get Picky Eaters to Eat Spinach

Spinach is an excellent source of vitamins and nutrients, but still, most kids and even some adults won’t budge on their spinach intake.

While most won’t eat a spinach salad, I find that blending it into a Pineapple Green Smoothie or cooking it down into a soup or thick slow cooker chili are great ways to disguise the flavor, texture, and color, whatever it is they don’t like about spinach.

Another favorite way to hide the leaves but lean into the green is with my famous spinach pancakes. They prove once and for all that spinach doesn’t have to be yucky!

Frozen Spinach Recipes

Frozen spinach works best for this recipe, it’s already been chopped and cooked down so all you need to do is defrost and add it to the bowl. Easy enough right?

Once defrosted you can add frozen spinach to a number of recipes like:

Spinach and Bacon Mini Quiches
Spinach & Tomato Tortellini
Easy Skillet Beef Tacos

Or swap it with kale to make:

Butternut Squash & Chorizo Hash
Buffalo and Kale Tacos

Can You Freeze Spinach Balls?

Need another reason to love these spinach bites? Here goes, they can be made ahead and frozen! You and I both know, that making meals from scratch isn’t always possible every. single. day.

It’s one of the reasons many families in the MOMables community love the family meal plans. We take all the hard work off your plate by providing a complete meal guide for the week with recipes, shopping lists, and prep tips so you can work ahead. It’s too good not to share, get a sneak peek of all our family meal plans offer, here.

But let’s get back to the 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.

How to Form Spinach Balls

Shaping spinach balls is a lot like making meatballs. I prefer to use a small cookie scoop or large spoon to scoop a generous amount of the mixture into the palm of my hand and roll into a ball.

How to Cook Spinach Balls

How do spinach balls get that crispy on the outside, soft on the inside texture? They get baked! You can bake them fresh or straight from the freezer. Don’t bother waiting for frozen spinach balls to defrost, these are better when baked directly from the freezer.

I’m curious, how do you like to eat spinach? What recipes have you had the most success? Let me know!

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Parmesan Spinach Balls

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★★★★★

5 from 3 reviews

Cheesy, savory Spinach balls are a kid-approved spinach recipe that’s perfect to pack into a lunchbox or serve as a healthy appetizer!

  • Author: MOMables.com
  • Prep Time: 20 minutes
  • Cook Time: 15 – 20 minutes
  • Total Time: 35 – 40 minutes
  • Yield: 40-45 bites
  • Category: appetizers

Ingredients

Units
  • ½ cup unsalted butter
  • ½ cup chopped onions
  • 1 clove garlic, minced
  • 2 10–ounce packages frozen chopped spinach, thawed and drained*
  • 1 ½ cups breadcrumbs
  • 6 eggs
  • 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • ¼ teaspoon salt
  • ¼ teaspoon pepper

Instructions

  1. Preheat the oven to 350F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
  2. 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.
  3. In a large bowl, combine the spinach, breadcrumbs, eggs, Parmesan cheese, salt, pepper, and butter mixture. Stir to thoroughly combine.
  4. 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.
  5. Bake for 15 to 20 minutes, until lightly browned.

Equipment

Kids Lunch Box

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Notes

  • If you’re using a 2-teaspoon scoop, this recipe will make approximately 45 Spinach Bites.
  • You can add more breadcrumbs if necessary; just add 2 tablespoons at a time and mix well.
  • If you want to use fresh spinach, you’ll need about 6 cups of fresh spinach leaves (packed).

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 2 bites
  • Calories: 119
  • Sugar: 0.8g
  • Sodium: 200.7mg
  • Fat: 7.7g
  • Saturated Fat: 4.1g
  • Carbohydrates: 7.5g
  • Fiber: 1.1g
  • Protein: 5.4g
  • Cholesterol: 70.9mg

Did you make this recipe?

Tag @MOMables on Instagram and hashtag it #momables

More Recipes

  • Gluten-Free Spinach Tortilla Wraps
  • Chocolate Coconut Granola
  • White Chocolate Popcorn Recipe
  • Peanut Butter Sandwich Ideas

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Shannon

    May 23, 2022 at 9:04 am

    My kids do not like Parmesan cheese. Is there a substitute like maybe shredded Colby Jack etc?

    Reply
    • MOMables-Laura

      May 25, 2022 at 4:08 pm

      Yes, you can try this recipe with shredded Colby Jack.

      Reply
  2. Steph

    July 21, 2021 at 3:45 pm

    Would olive oil work? Also what is the dipping sauce in the picture?

    Reply
    • MOMables - Laura

      July 23, 2021 at 11:42 am

      Yes, you can use olive oil to cook them down. The sauce is just a yogurt dipping sauce or you can use homemade ranch.

      Reply
    • Lori

      November 29, 2021 at 7:33 pm

      Can you use PANKO crumbs instead of breadcrumbs?

      Reply
      • MOMables-Laura

        November 30, 2021 at 4:38 pm

        Yes, you can use Panko breadcrumbs to make these Easy Spinach Balls.

        Reply
  3. Sara

    May 16, 2021 at 12:38 pm

    I made these today and they’re delicious. I didn’t have quite enough spinach so I added in some shredded carrot. Sautéed it with the onion and it worked great.

    ★★★★★

    Reply
    • MOMables - Laura

      May 17, 2021 at 1:05 pm

      brilliant addition!

      Reply
  4. Aj

    January 25, 2020 at 9:23 am

    Could you use coconut or canola oil instead of butter??

    Reply
    • MOMables - Laura

      January 28, 2020 at 2:40 pm

      You sure could. Enjoy!

      Reply
  5. Christine

    April 13, 2018 at 9:37 am

    Hi – my son has an egg allergy. Is there anything I can substitute for the eggs that would have a minimal effect on the recipe? Thanks!

    Reply
    • MOMables - Laura

      April 15, 2018 at 5:04 pm

      I have not tried making this with a flax egg but a lot of our members have with success.

      Reply
      • April

        August 25, 2022 at 2:32 pm

        If I use 6 cups fresh spinach, should I cook it before mixing it with the other ingredients?

        Reply
        • MOMables - Laura

          August 29, 2022 at 12:43 pm

          You don’t have to. it will cook down easily. Just chop it small so it mixes well. Enjoy!

          Reply
  6. Hungry

    November 12, 2015 at 6:51 pm

    Breadcrumbs: Do you mean canned, or fresh, or ‘fresh-but dried’. If ‘fresh’, what kind of bread works best?

    Reply
    • MOMables

      November 14, 2015 at 11:55 am

      dried bread crumbs. if you make them yourself, they are not “fresh” they are made from dry/toasted bread then ground.

      Reply
  7. Leslie

    August 13, 2014 at 12:50 pm

    Do these leftovers freeze and reheat well?

    Reply
    • MOMables

      August 13, 2014 at 5:55 pm

      I’ve never frozen them but I’ve stored in them in the fridge for up to 4 days and reheated them without any issues.

      Reply
      • Scott

        November 07, 2014 at 10:20 am

        I’m not a mom, but a proud daddy to a 9 month old. Once he started eating solid foods, I’ve started to follow the diet his doctor suggested for him… lots of fruit, veggies, and my new favorite…Greek Yogurt! I found your website while searching for a banana chips recipe and really enjoy your awesome website. These recipes sound yummy, but do you have basic nutrition information for them? I’ve realized some “healthy” yogurts can be as sugar packed as a 12 oz. soda, so just trying to get an idea for how good for you these can be!

        ★★★★★

        Reply
        • MOMables

          November 10, 2014 at 1:22 pm

          I think the nutritional information is in one of the comments above. something like less than 1g of fat per ball. I use unsweetened plain yogurt with nearly all recipes. I am delighted to have you here Scott. MOMables isn’t just for “moms”… we have hundreds of dads in our community too.

          Reply
          • Nila

            March 25, 2021 at 7:41 pm

            Hi, if I want to make a smaller batch do the ingredients get halved?

            ★★★★★

          • MOMables-Laura

            March 26, 2021 at 3:28 pm

            Yes, just cut the recipe in half and you’re good to go!

  8. Cassi

    July 27, 2014 at 10:35 pm

    Does it HAVE to be frozen spinach?
    I dont know why but i have this phobia of canned and frozen spinach. BLECH!

    Reply
    • Cassi

      July 27, 2014 at 10:49 pm

      Nevermind- I didnt see the note about fresh spinach at first. Sorry!

      Reply
    • MOMables

      July 29, 2014 at 10:36 am

      see above.

      Reply
  9. Renee

    April 28, 2014 at 10:23 am

    Has anyone tried to make these gluten free? If so, what did you use to substitute the breadcrumbs?

    Reply
    • MOMables

      April 28, 2014 at 10:58 am

      gluten free breadcrumbs is what people have been using. Good luck!

      Reply
  10. apryl

    January 10, 2014 at 10:09 am

    Wow! Just was I was looking for! I’m going to try this today for my no-vegetable-ever-boy Would anyone happen to have the nutritional facts on these? (Or maybe they are posted here and I just don’t see it?) Thanks!

    Reply
    • MOMables

      January 10, 2014 at 11:04 am

      April, you are welcome to plug the ingredients and serving size into any recipe nutritional facts calculator. I believe if you check the comments you will find some previously posted.

      Reply
  11. Colleen

    November 15, 2013 at 12:53 pm

    Would goat cheese work instead of the Parmesan? If not, any recommendations? He’s allergic to cows milk.
    Thanks!

    Reply
    • MOMables

      November 15, 2013 at 3:47 pm

      colleen, yes, try it with goats milk. i bet that would be delicious!

      Reply
  12. Michele

    November 11, 2013 at 3:37 am

    I made these tonight because I had fresh rainbow silverbeet (Swiss chard?) that needed to be used up. It was fabulous. The recipe was really easy so I made it at the same time as cooking dinner. They were ready after dinner but everyone wanted to try them straight away because they smelled so good. They were a big hit with everyone, especially my two boys, 5 and 8 who ‘hate spinach’!

    Reply
    • MOMables

      November 11, 2013 at 12:38 pm

      Great use of the chard!!

      Reply
    • Michelle

      November 11, 2013 at 8:35 pm

      I love the idea of using swiss chard! Glad your boys loved them! :)

      Reply
  13. janet

    November 10, 2013 at 8:17 pm

    made this week-cut the receipe in half-sooooo good!!!!

    Reply
    • MOMables

      November 10, 2013 at 10:50 pm

      awesome Janet!!

      Reply
    • Michelle

      November 11, 2013 at 8:35 pm

      So glad you enjoyed them! :)

      Reply
  14. Lydia

    November 07, 2013 at 6:21 pm

    Love this idea! We love your recipes and I became a subscriber today! Can you make these in a mini muffin tin? How would you alter the cooking time? Thanks for the great recipes!

    Reply
    • MOMables

      November 08, 2013 at 9:21 am

      Hi Lydia! yes, you can make these in mini muffin pan. make sure you grease the pan, press down and bake. don’t fill them to the top, just half way. baking time is going to be a little bit different (but not by much if you are using a 2tb scoop). check around minute 17-18. enjoy!

      Reply
  15. Tracey

    November 06, 2013 at 10:56 am

    Is there a way to cut down on the fat in this recipe that won’t alter the flavor too much? My main concern I guess would be the butter. Thanks.

    Reply
    • MOMables

      November 06, 2013 at 9:47 pm

      Tracey,
      1/2 cup of butter = 110grams by weight. 110 grams of butter = 89.7 fat grams. This recipe yields 45 bites (when measuring accurately with a 2 tablespoon scoop). That means that each bite has roughly 2g of fat from the butter. You can substitute coconut oil, which many believe is a healthier fat, but fat is fat. I have not made this recipe with less. I’ll take these real ingredients over unidentifiable things in the store-bought bites. Please let me know if you make these successfully with less.

      Reply

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