Easy Baked Spinach Balls Recipe (Gluten-Free)
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This recipe for baked gluten-free spinach balls is both easy to make and packed with flavor. Unlike other spinach ball recipes, these bites are gluten-free and don’t contain bread crumbs or stuffing mix. Instead, they’re loaded with spinach and chopped almonds, making them a healthy and delicious appetizer or snack that will be a huge hit. In addition to serving these as appetizers, they are a great alternative for a vegetarian meatball.
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This recipe was inspired by an old recipe that a friend gave me years ago. The original recipe was made with more stuffing and much less spinach. Since I love spinach, I decided to add a lighter, more spinach, gluten-free version made with almonds to replace the stuffing, also providing a little protein. Ever since, these spinach balls have been a hit for every party I host, especially among veggie lovers! If you’re searching for a unique, low-carb, and gluten-free vegetable appetizer, these are for you.
Why you will love this recipe
- Healthy! They are made with spinach and almonds so they are gluten-free too!
- Easy to prepare! These appetizers are easy to make with simple ingredients, and you can make them beforehand.
- Versatile! Spinach balls are so versatile and can be served as an appetizer, on a charcuterie board, or as a side dish or entree for dinner.
Here is what you will need
This is a brief summary of the ingredients needed to make Easy Baked Spinach Balls Recipe and a convenient shopping list from my Instacart affiliate link. For a printable recipe card with exact measurements and detailed instructions, scroll down to the recipe card section.
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How to make this spinach balls recipe
Prepare the ingredients. Mince the onions, garlic and herbs with a knife or a food processor. Thaw and drain the spinach thoroughly, shred the cheese, whisk the eggs and make the almond crumbles in a food processor or blender.
STEP 1: Heat the olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Once the oil is hot, add the onions and garlic. Cook them for a few minutes until they begin to soften.
STEP 2: Add the thawed and drained frozen spinach to the skillet and cook spinach with the onions and garlic until all of the moisture disappears.
STEP 3: Stir the nuts and spices into the skillet and cook for about five minutes; then stir in the parmesan cheese. Turn the heat off place the mixture into a large bowl and let it cool off for 5 to 10 minutes.
STEP 4: Stir in the eggs and place the bowl into the refrigerator for 30 minutes. After 30 minutes, heat the oven to 350 degrees f and remove the mixture from the fridge. Roll the chilled spinach mixture into 1-inch balls and place them onto a parchment-lined baking sheet.
Step 5. Bake the spinach balls for 30 minutes until they turn golden brown; serve and enjoy.
How to prepare frozen spinach for spinach balls
I usually use fresh ingredients, but frozen spinach is the best choice for these spinach balls. It’s already cooked and reduced in size, plus it’s chopped. Before making the spinach balls, you will need to thoroughly drain the excess liquid from the thawed spinach for the best results. The easiest way to remove the liquid is to line a strainer or colander with paper towels and place the spinach on top. Wrap the paper towels around the spinach and squeeze out the water.
Substitutions and variations
Change up the nuts – Almonds are mild tasting and they add a nice texture and protein to these healthy, gluten-free spinach balls. They can be substituted with an equal amount of walnuts, pecans, cashews, or almond flour.
Change up the cheese – Parmesan adds a salty flavor, and it can be left out or substituted with your favorite shredded cheese such as cheddar cheese, provolone cheese, mozzarella cheese or feta cheese.
Greek – Skip the parmesan cheese and add a tablespoon or two of any combination of these to the spinach mixture: chopped kalamata olives, feta cheese, sun-dried tomatoes and a sprinkle of oregano or Italian seasoning.
Vegan- Replace the eggs with flax eggs (1 tablespoon flaxseed meal mixed with 3 tablespoons water per egg) and replace the parmesan cheese with equal nutritional yeast.
Mushrooms – Add 6 ounces of finely chopped mushrooms for and earthy flavor.
Spicy – Add a kick to your spinach balls by incorporating chopped jalapenos, or red pepper flakes.
Fresh garlic and onions – Can be substituted with 1/2 teaspoon of garlic powder.
Fresh Herbs – Fresh sage and thyme can be substituted with 1 teaspoon dried sage and 3/4 teaspoon dried thyme.
How to make healthy spinach balls ahead of time
This is a great recipe to prepare ahead of time, and there are a few options. First, you can make the spinach balls according to the recipe instructions but don’t bake them. Store them in an airtight container in the fridge for a day. Before serving, let the spinach balls come to room temperature, preheat the oven, place them on a parchment-lined baking sheet, and bake for 30 minutes.
Alternatively, you can bake the spinach balls ahead of time and store them in the fridge for up to 4 days. To serve, reheat the cooked spinach balls in the oven for 10-15 minutes.
How to store spinach balls
Store leftover spinach balls in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. You can also freeze these tasty spinach balls by placing them on a baking sheet and putting it in the freezer. Once the spinach balls are frozen solid, remove them from the baking sheet and store them in a freezer-safe bag or container.
When ready to bake, place the frozen spinach balls on a parchment-lined baking sheet and bake in a preheated 350°F oven until cooked through.
Serving suggestions
Spinach balls are more than an appetizer! Make up a batch and enjoy them for lunch stuffed into a crusty roll, as vegetarian meatballs with pasta topped with marinara sauce.
They also taste great dipped in a dipping sauce such as homemade onion dip, ranch dressing or homemade blue cheese dressing.
Recommended Equuipment
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- For best results make sure the spinach is thoroughly drained.
- It’s important to refrigerate the mixture before forming it into balls. If you’re short on time, you can freeze it for 15-20 minutes instead.
- The easiest way to form the spinach balls is to use a small cookie scoop or ice cream scoop.
- Chop the onions and almonds as finely as possible; a food processor or electric chopper works best.
Even though you will get the best results for finely chopped almonds with a food processor or high-speed blender, you can use a sharp knife, but the almonds will not be as crumbly.
Yes you can! Here is how to do it: add one pound of fresh spinach into a pan of boiling water, turn off the heat. The fresh spinach should wilt fairly quickly. Once the spinach starts to wilt, drain it and pat it dry. Add it to the pan with the onions and garlic; continue with the recipe instructions.
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Easy Baked Spinach Balls
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon avocado or [Olive Oil]
- 12 ounce package of frozen spinach
- 1/2 cup minced onion
- 2 cloves chopped or crushed garlic
- 1/2 cup chopped almonds
- 1/2 cup freshly grated parmesan cheese
- 1 tablespoon chopped fresh sage or 1 teaspoon dried
- 1 1/2 teaspoons fresh thyme or 3/4 teaspoon dried
- 1/8 teaspoon of [nutmeg]
- 2 eggs beaten
Instructions
- Prepare the ingredients: Thaw the spinach at room temperature or place it in a microwave to thaw it. Once the spinach has thawed; place it into a strainer lined with paper towels and press down to release the excess liquid and set it aside. Chop the almonds, onions and garlic in a food processor to a fine texture. Shred the parmesan cheese.
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees f.
- Heat the oil in a pan over medium heat, add the garlic and onions; cook them until they become translucent – about 3 minutes.
- Stir in the spinach and cook for about 5 minutes until all of the liquid is absorbed.
- Mix in the nuts, sage, thyme and nutmeg; cook for a few minutes longer
- Turn the heat off and allow the mixture to cool off for a few minutes before adding the parmesan cheese and eggs
- Once the mixture is close to room temperature, add the two beaten eggs and stir well in the grated parmesan cheese.
- Place the mixture in the refrigerator for about 30 minutes. This will firm up the spinach mixture which will make it easier to form it into balls.
- Once the spinach mixture has been chilled, use your hands or a cookie scoop to form the mixture into 3/4 inch balls and arrange them on a parchment-lined sheet, and bake for 30 minutes.
Notes
- Squeeze as much water as you can out of the spinach before adding it to the skillet. You can do this by placing the spinach into a strainer over a sink and pressing down on the spinach with your hand or a spoon. Or wrap the spinach in a paper towel and squeeze out the excess liquid.
- Don’t skip the refrigeration step. Once the mixture is cold it’s so much easier to form it into balls. If you are pressed for time, place the mixture into the freezer for 15 to 20 minutes.
- You will get the best results for finely chopped almonds with a food processor or high-speed blender. If you don’t have either one of those, you can use a sharp knife, but the almonds will not be as crumbly.
- The easiest way to form the spinach balls is to use a cookie scoop or small ice cream scoop.
Nutrition
Nutrition information provided is an estimate and can vary based on cooking methods and ingredients used
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Planning to make your Easy-Baked-Spinach-Balls; wondering about how many spinach balls this recipe will make? They look delicious.
Jackie
Hi Jackie! Depending on the size of the spinach balls, this recipe will make 18 to 24 spinach balls.