Warm Spinach Cheesy Bites (Printable Version)

Golden bites blending spinach, mozzarella and Parmesan for a savory, satisfying snack.

# What You'll Need:

→ Vegetables

01 - 9 oz fresh spinach, chopped (or 7 oz frozen spinach, thawed and well-drained)
02 - 1 small onion, finely diced
03 - 2 cloves garlic, minced

→ Dairy & Eggs

04 - 1 cup grated mozzarella cheese
05 - ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
06 - 2 large eggs

→ Dry Ingredients

07 - ¾ cup breadcrumbs
08 - 1 teaspoon baking powder
09 - ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
10 - ½ teaspoon salt
11 - ¼ teaspoon black pepper

→ Optional

12 - 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
13 - Pinch of chili flakes

# How To Make:

01 - Preheat oven to 350°F (180°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
02 - Wilt fresh spinach in a large pan over medium heat for 2 to 3 minutes until just softened. Transfer to a colander, cool, and squeeze out excess moisture.
03 - In a large mixing bowl, combine spinach, onion, garlic, mozzarella, Parmesan, eggs, breadcrumbs, baking powder, nutmeg, salt, pepper, parsley, and chili flakes if using.
04 - Mix until well combined and the mixture holds together when pressed.
05 - Using hands or a small scoop, shape mixture into bite-sized balls (approximately 1 tablespoon each) and place them on the prepared baking sheet.
06 - Bake for 18 to 20 minutes, or until golden brown and set.
07 - Let cool slightly before serving warm, optionally with preferred dips.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • They're crispy on the outside and creamy on the inside, which somehow feels fancy despite taking barely any effort.
  • You can make a whole batch in under an hour, including oven time, so they work for actual last-minute situations.
  • They freeze brilliantly, which means you can have fancy appetizers ready whenever guests show up or hunger strikes.
02 -
  • If you skip the spinach-squeezing step, your bites will fall apart or taste watery—I learned this the hard way the first time I made them.
  • Don't overmix after adding the cheese, or you'll end up with tough, dense bites instead of ones with that light, slightly fluffy interior.
  • The baking powder is what gives them that gentle puff, so measure it properly and make sure it's fresh.
03 -
  • If your mixture seems too wet after mixing, add a few more breadcrumbs a tablespoon at a time until it holds together when squeezed.
  • Room-temperature ingredients mix more evenly than cold ones straight from the fridge, so take your eggs and cheese out a few minutes before you start.
  • A small ice-cream scoop makes forming uniform bites faster and easier than trying to do it by hand, especially if you're making a double batch.

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