Simple Fried Spinach Balls

By
Diana Rattray
Diana Rattray
Diana Rattray
Southern-cuisine expert and cookbook author Diana Rattray has created more than 5,000 recipes and articles in her 20 years as a food writer.
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Updated on 07/24/19
fried spinach balls with cheese
Moment Open/Getty Images
Prep: 15 mins
Cook: 20 mins
Total: 35 mins
Servings: 6 servings
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
195 Calories
10g Fat
17g Carbs
11g Protein
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Nutrition Facts
Servings: 6
Amount per serving
Calories 195
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 10g 12%
Saturated Fat 4g 22%
Cholesterol 163mg 54%
Sodium 317mg 14%
Total Carbohydrate 17g 6%
Dietary Fiber 3g 10%
Protein 11g
Calcium 174mg 13%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
(Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate.)

Fried spinach balls come together very easily in this quick and simple frying recipe. These spinach balls can make a tasty alternative to meatballs in spaghetti sauce or be served by themselves as a savory appetizer. They're an excellent alternative to meatballs, especially if you have vegetarians in the family. Make a batch and freeze them in small portions. 

As appetizers, serve them hot with a dip. Ranch dressing, a marinara sauce, or pizza sauce would be good, or serve them with salsa or an aioli. 

Ingredients

  • 1 1/2 cups vegetable oil
  • 2 cups spinach (frozen, cooked and chopped; about 16 ounces frozen)
  • 2 tablespoons butter
  • 2 tablespoons grated onion
  • 3 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese
  • Dash salt
  • Dash pepper
  • 2 large eggs (divided)
  • 1 cup fine dry bread crumbs (plus 1/4 cup more for breading)
  • 1/8 teaspoon nutmeg (or allspice)
  • 1/4 cup water

Steps to Make It

  1. Gather the ingredients.

  2. Heat the oven to 200 F.

  3. Heat the vegetable oil to 360 F in a large, heavy pot.

  4. Squeeze as much moisture out of the cooked spinach as possible.

  5. Combine chopped spinach, melted butter, salt, pepper, 1 well-beaten egg, bread crumbs, onion, Parmesan cheese, and spice; mix well. Allow to stand 10 minutes then shape into 1-inch balls.

  6. Combine remaining egg with the 1/4 cup water; beat until well blended.

  7. Roll the spinach balls in the fine dry bread crumbs, dip in egg mixture, then again in bread crumbs.

  8. In the heated oil, fry the spinach balls in small batches until golden brown.

  9. Drain on paper towels.

  10. Place these on a rack in a pan, and place pan in the warm oven while you fry remaining spinach balls.