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Spinach Balls

4.96 from 168 votes
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posted: 12/11/17

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This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my disclosure policy

These Spinach Balls are the perfect appetizer! They are delicious, easy to make, and an appetizer recipe that everyone will want the recipe for.

On a white plate and lined up are the Spinach Balls which is a golden brown color.

So this Spinach Balls recipe has kind of a funny story behind it. This is a recipe that came from my good friend’s mom. Like a second mom to me growing up, living just a few houses down. Anyway, this was a recipe that I’ve had at baby showers, and bridal showers, one of those recipe that you are like, “Oh, I’ll try this,” and then 80 spinach balls later you decide you are in love.

The other day I was thinking about this recipe and asked my friend if her mom was okay with me posting it on my blog. She told me she would ask and then a few minutes later I got this message about how her mom originally struggled to get the recipe from a friend.

It was hard for her to get the recipe but she believes “recipes are for sharing!” so she’s happy to give it out. To anyone and everyone.

I kind of believe that recipes are for sharing too.

The Most Forgiving Spinach Balls Ever

Here’s the funny part.

The first time I made this recipe after getting it from her, I left out the butter! I took them out of the oven and they looked dry and that’s when it hit me – THE BUTTER! I sent my friend a text telling her what had happened and she responded,

That’s so funny! Mom just did the same thing on Thanksgiving!

She went on to say that one of the great things about this recipe is that you can totally forget ingredients and they still work – they’ve forgotten the cheese and the bread crumbs before ????

Sure, not quite as good, but still delicious.

Guys, I ate like five butter-free spinach balls.

Between someone's index and thumb, the Spinach Ball has a small bite mark out of it.

How to Make Spinach Balls

  1. Preheat the oven. Recipes always work better when they go into a fully hot oven.
  2. Combine all of the ingredients. This recipe is so simple and easy to make. You really do just toss everything together.
  3. Roll into balls. I like using a cookie scoop to make this recipe. It makes all the balls the same size so they bake evenly.
  4. Bake and enjoy!

Tips to Make this Recipe Turn Out Perfect

There are a few tips that help make this recipe turn out perfect.

  • Make sure that when you thaw your frozen spinach you squeeze out all of the water.
  • Be sure to dice your onions very small. The first time I made this, I didn’t dice them small enough and it makes it difficult to roll them, plus, big chunks of onions.
  • Using a cookie scoop helps make the balls more quickly and more uniform.
  • The original recipe called for stuffing mix (not the cubed kind), but I found that hard to find, so I used bread crumbs instead. Feel free to sub the stuffing mix back in if you find it!
  • This recipe makes 24 spinach balls. The original was double that. So definitely make double if you are only having one other appetizer. Your guests will be so happy you did.

If you make this these delicious Spinach Balls (or any of my other recipes), please leave me a comment and let me know what you think.

On a white plate and lined up are the Spinach Balls which is a golden brown color.
This Spinach Ball appetizer has been passed down from friend to friend! And now you get to make them too!
4.96 from 168 votes

Spinach Balls

Serves: 24 balls
(tap # to scale)
Prep: 15 minutes
Cook: 30 minutes
Total: 45 minutes
These Spinach Balls are the perfect appetizer!  They are delicious, easy to make, and more healthy than your average appetizer.

Ingredients

  • 3 eggs beaten
  • 10 ounces package frozen chopped spinach thawed and drained well
  • 6 tablespoons butter melted
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/2 tablespoon black pepper
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground thyme
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1 1/2 cups Italian seasoned breadcrumbs see note
  • 1 cup grated parmesan cheese
  • 1/2 yellow onion diced very small

Instructions

  • Preheat your oven to 350 degrees.  Grease a baking sheet and set aside.
  • Combine all of the ingredients in a large bowl.
  • Using a medium cookie scoop, make 1 inch balls.  Place them on the baking sheet.  And bake for 30 minutes or until they are golden brown.

Notes

The original recipe called for stuffing mix crumbs (not cubes). Since those were difficult to find, I substituted bread crumbs. Feel free to substitute back in the stuffing mix if you are able to find it.
Serving: 1ball Calories: 90kcal (5%) Carbohydrates: 8g (3%) Protein: 4g (8%) Fat: 5g (8%) Saturated Fat: 3g (19%) Monounsaturated Fat: 1g Cholesterol: 34mg (11%) Sodium: 232mg (10%) Potassium: 98mg (3%) Fiber: 1g (4%) Sugar: 1g (1%)
Author: Lisa Longley
Course: Appetizer
Cuisine: American
This Spinach Ball appetizer has been passed down from friend to friend! And now you get to make them too!

did you make this

Spinach Balls

I’d love to see what you made! Tag me @lisasimplejoy and hashtag it #simplejoyrecipes!

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Hi! I'm Lisa Longley, and I am committed to giving you simple dinner ideas and recipes that are easy to make; recipes that will fill your home with joy. I am the owner and author of SimpleJoy.com and I'm so glad that you are here.

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  1. Cathy says

    5 stars
    These are really good and truly easy to make. Everyone wanted the recipe.
    Are you able to freeze the unbaked, rolled balls? Whst about baked balls?
    I made mine a little bigger. How can you tell when they are done?

    • Lisa Longley says

      I would suggest baking them and then freezing them. If they are just a small amount bigger you will likely only need a minute or two more and they are done when they start to turn golden brown.

  2. Michelle says

    Hi. Could you please tell me what size cookie scoop is needed?

    • Lisa Longley says

      I like making these with a 1 1/2 tablespoon scoop.

  3. Noelle says

    5 stars
    Delicious!! Have you tried them in an air fryer?? Think I’ll attempt that next time.
    Thank you!

    • Lisa Longley says

      I’m sorry, I haven’t. But I’m sure it would be delicious!

  4. cATHY says

    2 stars
    I made these for the first time and they were too hard after I baked them for the calculated thirty minutes @ 350. I’m uncertain how to keep them moist when fully baked since I followed the exact directions.

    • Lisa Longley says

      I’m so sorry these didn’t work out for you. Is it possible the butter or egg got left out? Its hard for me to understand what could have changed to give the results your describing.

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