Spinach Bites

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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.

Parmesan Spinach Balls Recipe

These baked spinach balls are so easy to make and a hit everywhere they go.

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.

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 chili are great ways to disguise the flavor, texture, and color, whatever it is they don’t like about spinach.

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!

Print Recipe|

Parmesan Spinach Balls

Parmesan Spinach Balls Recipe

★★★★★

5 from 1 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 1x
  • Category: appetizers
Scale

Ingredients

  • 1/2 cup unsalted butter
  • 1/2 cup chopped onions
  • 1 clove garlic, minced
  • 2 10-ounce packages frozen chopped spinach, thawed and drained*
  • 1 1/2 cups breadcrumbs
  • 6 eggs
  • 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 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

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
  • Sodium: 200.7mg
  • Fat: 7.7g
  • Carbohydrates: 7.5g
  • Fiber: 1.1g
  • Protein: 5.4g
  • Cholesterol: 70.9g

Recipe adapted from The Curvy Carrot.

 

About MOMables - Laura

Mom to 3 kids, obsessed with coffee, meal planning, and helping you cook fresh meals for your family fast!

Category: All Snacks, Bite Size, Dietary Needs, Gluten Free, Lunchbox, Lunchbox Ideas, Recipes, Snacks, Vegetarian