Making spinach balls is a super simple, yummy recipe that combines chopped spinach, Parmesan cheese, eggs, stuffing mix, and a few other savory ingredients into cute bite sized balls. I first tried this recipe that came from my friend’s mom at a holiday occasion at a baby shower she had at bridal showers and I was beyond excited by how delicious and easy to make they were. This easy to prep, bite sized party foods idea is perfect for lunch, perfect for dinner, or perfect for any holiday. I’ve also served it as a savory side, appetizer, or even as a savory appetizer recipe alongside sausage balls, and everyone will want the recipe.
What makes this yummy baked 3-ingredient, 8 ingredients, or simple easy recipe so fun is how the seasoning blends into the spinach balls when rolled into balls. I remember thinking about this recipe the other day and posting it on my blog, because I originally struggled to make them but now loved the process. It’s fun, easy, and everyone can enjoy bite sized balls at college, dinner, or lunch. Whether you’re thinking about this recipe, ask her mom, or share this recipe, it’s a perfect appetizer, perfect for lunch, and a side dish that’s delicious, savory, and easy to make.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe:
You’ll love this recipe because it turns simple ingredients into flavor-packed spinach bites that are quick to prepare, easy to bake, and perfect for any occasion. They’re delicious, fuss-free, and always a crowd favorite. And the most important thing is that it takes less time than spending hours on it.
Ingredients You’ll Need:
Here are the Ingredients you’ll need to make these easy Spinach Balls:
Spinach
- Chopped spinach: fresh or chopped frozen spinach
- Cooked spinach: well drained spinach following package instructions
Stuffing & Seasoning
- Stuffing mix store bought stuffing, Stove Top brand, or other stuffing mix brands
- Cornbread seasoning or cornbread dressing
- Italian seasoning
- Garlic powder or freshly crushed garlic
- Black pepper and other seasoning mix
Vegetables & Flavor
- Onion: finely diced onion or small onion
- Tons of flavor added naturally by combining onion and garlic
Cheese & Dairy
- Parmesan cheese shredded Parmesan cheese, grated Parmesan, fresh cheese, or prepackaged cheese
- Butter butter adds moisture for soft spinach balls
Binding & Texture
- Eggs: 2, 3, or 4 eggs, beaten, to bind all the ingredients together
- Breadcrumbs: preferably herb-seasoned bread for structure
Final Notes
- Combining these ensures tasty spinach balls with classic savory flavors
- Following recipes like this guarantees moist, flavorful spinach balls every time
How To Make Spinach Balls Step-by-Step Instructions:
There is a perfect way to make these easy Spinach Balls described in a simple and easy step-by-step instructions:
Step 1: Preheat and Prepare
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C) and line a baking sheet with parchment or non-stick aluminum foil.
- Drain your spinach in a colander and let it cool slightly.
Step 2: Mix Ingredients
- In a large bowl, combine the spinach mixture with stuffing mix, shredded cheese, Parmesan cheese, finely diced onion, eggs, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, black pepper, and other seasoning.
- Mix well until all ingredients are combined.
Step 3: Shape the Spinach Balls
- Using a medium cookie scoop or your hands, roll into small balls or walnut-sized balls.
- Make sure all small balls are the same size for even baking.
Step 4: Place on Baking Sheet
- Place the small portions on the prepared baking sheet.
- Optionally, brush with melted butter or a bit of liquid for extra moisture.
Step 5: Bake Spinach Balls
- Bake in the fully hot oven for about 20 minutes, flip halfway if needed until browned and heated through.
Step 6: Serve
- Use your hands to serve the spinach balls in small portions.
- These are super fun, easy to make, and full of classic savory flavors.
- For full instructions, see the recipe card at the bottom of the post.
Cookie Scoop:
Using a cookie scoop makes making spinach balls quick work and ensures each ball is perfect in size, usually about 1 1/2 tablespoon per scoop, and with a simple turning motion, you can easily shape the mixture into uniform spinach balls ready for baking or serving.
How to make Spinach Balls (video tutorial):
Here is how you can make these easy spinach balls:
Tips and Tricks to make easy spinach balls:
Here are some tricks that will definitely work out to make these super easy Spinach Balls:
- Thaw your frozen spinach and squeeze out all of the water using a clean dish towel to avoid a difficult to roll mixture with big chunks.
- Dice onions very small so they mix evenly in the spinach balls.
- Use a cookie scoop to roll them more quickly and keep them more uniform.
- If you sub the stuffing mix, breadcrumbs, or bread crumbs, the cubed kind works best.
- For your first time, follow the original recipe, which makes 24 spinach balls, but you can double the recipe for double or for one other appetizer for your guests.
- If you’ve found it hard to find some ingredients, feel free to substitute.
- These simple tips will help you make the balls quickly, keep them uniform, and make everyone happy when you make this recipe.
How to Make Breadcrumbs:
When I first started learning how to make breadcrumbs, I realized it was surprisingly easy and worked well whenever I would run out of breadcrumbs while cooking Easy Spinach Balls, and with this simple recipe, you can prepare fresh breadcrumbs just by opening your oven and lightly toasting leftover bread in the oven, giving you the option of making them seasoned or keeping them plain, depending on what feels perfect for the dish.
How to Prep Spinach Balls Ahead of Time:
When I’m cooking for a party, I love to make them ahead because it saves so much time, and making these a bit ahead of time makes the whole process smoother; I start by forming the balls, then I place them in the refrigerator where they can be made up to 24 hours before I need them, and when I’m ready to bake, I just pop them in the oven, which is definitely one of the easiest ways to handle the oven rush when guests arrive.
How to Freeze and Store Spinach Balls Leftovers:
When I have leftovers of my spinach balls, I keep them stored in the refrigerator inside an airtight container, where they stay fresh for up to four days; honestly, even a single leftover piece tastes delicious cold or reheated in the microwave or oven, especially when it’s covered to keep it soft. During busy days, those four days of quick bites always feel like a little lifesaver in my kitchen.
Freeze:
If I want to freeze extra balls, I spread them on a wax paper–lined baking sheet for a few hours, then transfer them into another airtight container, return them to the freezer, and keep them frozen for three months without losing taste. When I’m ready to eat, I simply bake them for 20 to 30 minutes in a preheated 350 degrees Fahrenheit oven, and they come out almost as good as freshly made.
Notes for easy Spinach Balls:
- Frozen chopped spinach comes in different sizes, so I check the bag because some are roughly 20 oz, and depending on what I need, a package may be a little more or less for this recipe.
- When I want extra flavor, I use Stove Top brand cornbread flavored crumbs.
- A small onion, or ½ a large one finely diced, gives the mixture a nice balance without overpowering the spinach.
More Recipes You Should Also Try:
- Southwest Sheet Pan Chicken and Veggies
- Chicken Sausage Stir-Fry Packed with Veggies
FAQs About Easy Spinach Balls:
Can I use fresh spinach?
I have not made this recipe using fresh spinach, but I always give a direct answer when people ask here if they can make that swap, and yes you can, as long as you cook it down and squeeze out all the moisture.
Do you have a dipping sauce to go with these?
I do not, though I often enjoy them with ranch dressing, aioli, or a simple yogurt sauce, especially when I want something cool and creamy to balance the warm spinach flavor.
Do you serve these warm or cold?
I usually serve them warm, but they’re absolutely delicious cold as well, especially when I pack leftovers for a quick snack or share them at casual gatherings.
Can these be made gluten-free?
From my own kitchen trials, I found that swapping the breadcrumbs with a gluten free option can still give good flavor, even though the exact mix is not tested for everyone’s taste; however, the results stayed soft and tasty when I tried them at home.
How to cook spinach balls?
When I make these, I combine a simple stuffing mix with chopped spinach, eggs, Parmesan, and cheese, then stir in melted butter, garlic powder, Italian seasoning, and a little black pepper in a large bowl until it blends well. I usually use my hands to shape the mixture into walnut-sized balls and place them on a baking sheet. Then I bake them in a preheated oven until heated through and lightly browned, usually in about 20 minutes.
What are some common mistakes when cooking spinach?
From my own kitchen, I learned that common mistakes in cooking spinach include overcooking, which makes it mushy and diminishes nutrients, and overcrowding the pan, causing it to steam instead of sauté, resulting in a soggy texture. Other frequent errors happen when not drying it well before cooking, leading to sogginess, or skipping seasoning properly at the right time, since adding salt too early can cause it to weep. Even using the wrong method, like low heat sautéing or trying to stew the leaves, can affect the final taste and feel.
Are spinach balls healthy?
I love how these crispy, golden, brown morsels made with spinach feel light yet filling, especially since they’re a good source of fiber, Vitamin A, Vitamin C, and calcium, and are naturally low in carbohydrates. When I pair the spinach balls with a simple dipping sauce, they always become a hit at any party I bring them to.
What to add to spinach to make it taste nice?
Here are the secrets I use when making spinach taste amazing: I cook it with whole garlic cloves, which infuses a subtle garlic flavor throughout without overwhelming it, and I don’t overcook it just until slightly wilted. Then I add a squeeze of lemon at the end and a pinch of salt to finish it perfectly.
