Many many moons ago I babysat for a family who introduced me to the delicacy called the spinach ball.
Don’t let the spinach part throw you for a loop. These little morsels are delectable. I used to make them all the time for a snack, and they make a yummy appetizer to bring to parties too.
I had forgotten all about them and hadn’t made them for years when my kindergartner came home from school talking about having spinach balls for snack! Evidently one of the parents brought them in. She wanted me to call her teacher and get the recipe, so imagine her delight when I informed her that I have my very own spinach ball recipe!
She begged for days until I went to the store and purchased the necessary ingredients.
Of course she wanted to help, and this is a great way to get the kids involved in the kitchen. Kids love getting their hands messy and rolling things.
Have you ever seen such a cute little kitchen helper? I thought not.
Once all the ingredients are mixed together, and it looks something like this . . .
it’s time to shape it into balls.
My recipe says to microwave them at 70% power for 5-7 minutes, depending on how many you are cooking at once. I prefer to use the oven because they don’t get rubbery that way, and also, I’m pretty sure that the microwave destroys nutrients but I admit I still use it far more often than I’d like. It’s just so conveeeeeenient.
Pretty soon, you have a scrumptious and fairly nutritious snack!
They won’t last long!
Want the recipe? Of course you do!
Spinach Balls Recipe
- 2 10-oz packages frozen & chopped spinach, thawed and drained
- 3 eggs
- 1/2 cup melted butter
- 3 cups herbed stuffing mix (for gluten-free, make your own stuffing with Udi’s bread)
- 1/2 cup shredded cheddar
- 1 cup grated Parmesan
- 2 tablespoons chopped onion
- garlic to taste
- Mix all ingredients.
- Roll into 1-inch balls.
- Microwave at 70% power for 10-12 minutes. (The cooking time varies depending on your microwave and how many spinach balls you cook at one time.) Or try them in the oven at 350 for 15-20 minutes.
I really don’t need these but I reeeeally need these. I’m going to have to run to the store asap, they look SO yum!
Love Spinach Balls! I used to make these all the time – same recipe too. Everyone just devours them and they are so easy to make. Gotta make ’em again soon!
I just printed this out. Will definitely have to give it a try – anything to get something green into my kids!
I had totally forgotten about spinach balls. I would have never thought of taking them to Kindergarten as a snack! Thanks for sharing.
I have never heard of spinach balls but I am not a fan. Taste untasted (you know, like sight unseen, anyway…). I’ve been wanting new kid friendly veggie ideas and since this one is already kindergartner approved I think we’ll be good. I’ll have to do the rolling though since I have those kids that don’t like to get sticky. Go figure.
Oh, and I totally love the mom that took these to kindergarten!
These look great! What could you sub in for the stuffing? We’re gluten free.
I’m gluten free too and I was thinking of trying to make my own stuffing mix with Udi’s Gluten Free bread. I’m not sure of another storebought replacement, unless you just use GF bread crumbs – but they’re not the same really.
Yummie…My kids will love these…have to try these soon!!! Thanx for your lovely comment on my blog…
I am embarrassed to even ask this question………but how do you cook the spinach…..can you tell I a newbie?
No problem! You do not cook it. It cooks when you cook spinach balls. But before you add it to the mixture, you just thaw it and squeeze all the water out. Simple! 🙂
Awwwwwe, my mom makes these every Christmas. Spinach balls always remind me of her.
I’ve had a variation of this recipe but made them into veggie burgers, which I’m sure you could do the same with your recipe. And I think the only other difference was that my recipe used feta cheese insteada chedda (hehe…I couldn’t resist). But next time I might try cheddar and you can certainly probably try feta with yours. YUM is right too – they are awesome!
I bought some stuffing mix at the store yesterday after reading this, so that I could give it a try!
Sounds like a terrific recipe for getting kids to eat spinach!
Hi there! I just made these today, and my family loved them. My husband said that they’re addicting. One question.. is the stuffing suppose to overpower the other ingredients? All we taste is the stuffing and not much of anything else?
Hm, no, I wouldn’t say it overpowers them, but then again, it is a pretty strong flavor. I guess the spinach doesn’t have a ton of taste. It might also depend on the brand of stuffing and how strong its flavor is.
Do the onions cook thru in the oven? My family does not like the crunch of a raw onion. Just wondering before I cook, thanks.
Not really. If I were you, I’d saute them first or just leave them out. Or you could use freeze dried onions from the spice rack, if you prefer.
i’ve been trying to come up with veggie recipes that i can make ahead and have hubby heat up for him and the baby. this one looks like it could work well for that. your note says not to cook the spinach, but in the ingredient list it says cooked and drained. maybe it should say thawed and drained?
Ooops, it should be thawed and drained. I’ll fix that! Thanks!
Hi, I can’t wait to make these, but can I cook in oven? Will they be ruined if so? Thanks.
I’ve never tried it but I’m sure they could… let me know how they turn out if you try it!
I’m GF but not into making my own stuffing. We do, however, make Crustless Spinach Quiche for dinner and eat leftovers for breakfast. I double the recipe into a 9×13 pan. So simple to make, no gluten, no rolling, use any kind of cheese you want. You can cut it into any size squares you want, delicious at any temp. This recipe sounds so yummy (I really miss stuffing), and so’s the quiche. Spinach and cheese are delicious to matter what!