Sometimes, it’s hard to convince people around here to eat their vegetables. However, these easy air fryer spinach balls make my life so much easier! That’s because these tasty, bite-sized appetizers have so much flavor you’ll forget all about the “green stuff”.
Why You’ll Love It
Spinach balls are easy to put together and great to feed a crowd at your next party. They can also be made in advance and frozen as they reheat perfectly. I love anything that lets me get the work done ahead of time!
The air fryer does a great job of cooking these spinach cheese balls. You’ll get just the right amount of crust, while the inside will get nice and warm enough to melt the cheese. It’s the perfect poppable bite!
They’re also a great vegetarian-friendly alternative to the little party meatballs that are often served. I’ll serve spinach balls for appetizers at Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s, and also on game day – they’re that good!
Katie’s tip
If you love spinach, then you may also be interested in learning how to cook Trader Joe’s Spanakopita in the Air Fryer to take a tastebud tour of Greece. You can also make my delicious Spanakopita Grilled Cheese recipe in the air fryer too!
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Air Fryer Spinach Balls Ingredients
- 10-ounce package frozen chopped spinach (thawed and drained)
- 6-ounce package dry stuffing mix (chicken or herb)
- ¼ cup Parmesan cheese
- 2 Tbsp dried minced onion
- 2 large eggs
- ½ cup butter or margarine, melted
- 1 tsp garlic salt
- ½ tsp black pepper
Ingredient Substitutions and Tips
- The stuffing mix may be substituted by about 1 cup of seasoned dried bread crumbs if preferred
- I do prefer chicken flavor, but herb is very good as well if you’re sticking to completely vegetarian
- In place of the dried onion, you can substitute ¼ cup grated raw onion if preferred
- The parmesan may be swapped out for feta cheese if you want a more Greek-style spinach ball
- This amount of ingredients makes about 24 spinach balls. You can easily double or triple the recipe if needed
How to Make Air Fryer Spinach Balls
- In a mixing bowl, combine all ingredients and mix thoroughly to combine
- Place mixture in the refrigerator for about an hour, so the stuffing mix becomes saturated
- Preheat your air fryer to 350°F
- Roll your spinach mixture into approximately 1” balls (I like to use a tablespoon for scooping and then roll in my hands)
- Once the air fryer is preheated, place the spinach balls in the preheated air fryer basket, allowing air space between each one
- Cook on air fry setting for 10-15 minutes at 350°F, pausing to flip or shake the basket halfway through
- Spinach balls are done when the center is warm and cheese is melted
- Enjoy!
What to Serve with Spinach Balls
- Spinach dip
- Spinach & artichoke dip
- Sweet hot mustard
- Ranch
- Marinara
Spinach balls are honestly great on their own and don’t need any dipping sauce! I do sometimes add some mini toothpicks in to make them a party appetizer, though.
To serve them alongside a meat option, try my recipes for Trader Joe’s Party Size Mini Meatballs in the Air Fryer, Air Fryer Little Smokies, or some Air Fryer Cocktail Franks!
Recipe FAQs
How Long Do You Cook Spinach Cheese Balls in the Air Fryer?
Typically, spinach cheese balls cook for 10-15 minutes in the air fryer.
This can vary slightly based on the diameter of your balls and your specific air fryer, but cooking time still generally falls within that range.
If you’re cooking them from frozen, add an additional 3-5 minutes to the cooking time.
Can You Use Fresh Spinach in Spinach Balls?
While you can technically use fresh spinach for spinach balls, it isn’t recommended. During the cooking process, fresh spinach releases too much moisture, which causes the balls to fall apart.
It’s best to either pre-cook your fresh spinach, or to use frozen chopped spinach which you thaw and drain to get rid of excess moisture.
What Are Air Fryer Spinach Balls?
Air fryer spinach balls are a delicious appetizer or snack made from a mixture of spinach, stuffing or breadcrumbs, cheese, and seasonings.
They are then cooked in the air fryer, making them brown and crispy on the outside, while keeping the inside moist and flavorful.
Can I Make Air Fryer Spinach Balls Ahead Of Time?
Yes, you can prepare spinach balls in advance and store them in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours before cooking.
You can also freeze them for longer storage and cook directly from frozen in the air fryer.
How Do I Prevent Spinach Balls From Falling Apart?
To keep the spinach balls from falling apart, make sure to drain excess moisture from the spinach and use enough stuffing or breadcrumbs and cheese to bind the mixture.
If the mixture is too wet, add more breadcrumbs until it holds together. Also make sure to chill it well before rolling, as that helps to keep it bound.
Recipe Pro Tips For the Best Spinach Balls
- Rolling the spinach balls is a lot like making a meatball. Use a packing tactic between your palms to make a nice, tight ball
- If the spinach balls are not sticking together well, you can add an additional beaten egg to the mix
- I recommend beating the eggs separately before adding to the other ingredients. They are much more evenly mixed this way
- When you remove your bowl from the fridge, give it a quick stir before you start rolling. I find the butter tends to settle to the bottom. The heat from your hands will help it re-melt as you roll the balls
Storage and Reheating Tips
- Store leftover spinach balls in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days
- To reheat spinach balls in the air fryer, air fry at 350°F for 3-4 minutes, until warmed through and recrisped on the outside. If you’re heating from frozen, add an additional 1-2 minutes. Time can vary slightly between air fryers and spinach ball sizes, so adjust in small increments as needed
More Air Fryer Appetizers
Final Thoughts
These easy air fryer spinach balls are the perfect appetizer for the holidays, game day, and any time you’re entertaining. They’re a delicious way to get some greens, and the perfect vegetarian friendly alternative to standard party meatballs.
I always keep a bag of them in my freezer so we can throw them in and cook them anytime we’re having company. It’s a great way to cut down on the prep stress before having friends and family come over!
Katie’s tip
If you’re craving some spinach for breakfast or brunch, then check out my delicious crustless steak and spinach quiche in the air fryer!
Air Fryer Spinach Balls Appetizer Recipe
Equipment
- Spoon or spatula
Ingredients
- 10 Ounce Package frozen chopped spinach (thawed and drained)
- 6 ounce Box dry stuffing mix (chicken or herb)
- ¼ cup Parmesan cheese (grated)
- 2 Tbsp Dried minced onion
- 2 large Eggs
- ½ cup Butter or margarine (melted)
- 1 tsp Garlic salt
- ½ tsp Black pepper
Instructions
- In a mixing bowl, combine all ingredients and mix thoroughly to combine
- Place mixture in the refrigerator for about an hour, so the stuffing mix becomes saturated
- Preheat your air fryer to 350°F
- Roll your spinach mixture into approximately 1” balls
- Once the air fryer is preheated, place the spinach balls in the preheated air fryer basket, allowing air space between each one
- Cook on air fry setting for 10-15 minutes at 350°F, pausing to flip or shake the basket halfway through
- Spinach balls are done when the center is warm and cheese is melted
Notes
- The stuffing mix may be substituted by about 1 cup of seasoned dried bread crumbs if preferred
- I do prefer chicken flavor stuffing mix, but herb is very good as well if you’re sticking to completely vegetarian. You can also use pork or turkey flavor if that’s all you can find
- In place of the dried onion, you can substitute ¼ cup grated raw onion if preferred
- The parmesan may be swapped out for feta cheese if you want a more Greek-style spinach ball, or some Monterey Jack cheese
- Roll the spinach balls similar to making a meatball – use a packing tactic between your palms to make a nice, tight ball
- If the spinach balls are not sticking together, you can add an additional beaten egg to the mix
- I recommend beating the eggs separately before adding them to the other ingredients. They are much more evenly mixed this way
- This recipe makes about 24 spinach balls as written, but is easily doubled or tripled for a larger crowd
- Exact nutritional values will vary based on brand and flavor of ingredients and total quantity consumed, so please consider this a guideline only
Nutrition
