Sometimes, it’s hard to convince people around here to eat their vegetables. However, these easy air fryer spinach balls make it much easier! That’s because these tasty, bite-sized appetizers have so much flavor you’ll forget all about the “green stuff”.
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.
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 & 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
They’re 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.
Recipe FAQs
How Long Do Spinach Cheese Balls Go 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.
Recipe Pro Tips
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
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.
10OuncePackage frozen chopped spinach(thawed and drained)
6ounceBox dry stuffing mix(chicken or herb)
¼cupParmesan cheese(grated)
2TbspDried minced onion
2largeEggs
½cupButter or margarine(melted)
1tspGarlic salt
½tspBlack 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
I enjoy trying new recipes, creating my own, and dabbling with new techniques all the time. My husband loves to protest when I make him my guinea pig, but it’s all for the love of food!
My cooking philosophy is that great tasting food doesn't have to be complicated or time consuming to make. I'm a home cook with over 20 years of experience feeding myself and others. I've learned from a variety of different people, things I've learned online, and some trial and error as well.
I enjoy cooking a variety of foods, from convenience to comfort foods, as well as international cuisine. You can rest assured that all of my recipes have been actually made, thoroughly tested, and most importantly: tasted! I want you to enjoy my food as much as I do!
