Name: Keto Spinach Balls Appetizer
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 30 min
Ingredients: 6 cups fresh spinach leaves (200g. Makes 2/3 cup (130g) packed cooked spinach ***see notes); 3 large eggs (beaten); 2/3 cup grated cheddar (75g); 1/3 cup grated parmesan (25g); 1 cup almond flour; 2 tbsp whole psyllium husk (or 1 tablespoon psyllium husk powder); 1/3 tsp garlic powder; 1/2 tsp onion powder; 1/3 tsp black pepper; 1/4 cup fresh parsley (chopped (15g)); 1 tbsp olive oil (1/2 in the mix and 1/2 on top)

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Keto spinach balls are a tasty gluten-free appetizer and a healthy, satisfying snack. Ready from scratch in just 30 minutes, these crispy little balls are packed with flavor and goodness. Delicious hot or cold.

Bored of boiled eggs, slices of chicken and a handful of nuts as a low carb snack? These spinach balls are great to have on hand if you’re feeling a bit peckish but don’t want to sit down and have a full meal.

They are fluffy on the inside and crispy on the outside!

I like to whip up a batch and store in a Tupperware in the fridge and nibble over a few days. Though with the kids in the house and a hungry husband, leftovers are scarce!

Spinach balls taste so good and at just 0.5g net carbs per ball you can have 3 as a snack at just 1.5g net carbs.

They’re also quite filling - packed with healthy fats and plenty of fiber thanks to the psyllium husk.

I'd say they are like a cheesy dough ball with added nutrients. Perfect to serve as an appetizer, as a savoury Netflix kind of treat or even as part of a healthy lunch box.

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Ingredients
How to make spinach balls
Serving Suggestion
Substitutions
Storage
Related recipes
Recipe

Ingredients

Spinach - cooked and liquid squeezed out
Eggs - large
Cheddar cheese - shredded
Parmesan - finely grated
Almond flour - I used ground almonds
Psyllium husk - I used whole psyllium husk. Halve the amount if using psyllium husk powder.
Herbs and spices - garlic powder, onion powder, pepper and fresh parsley
Olive oil - for more flavor in the batter and to drizzle on top

How to make spinach balls

This section contains step-by-step instructions and photos that show how to make this recipe. See the recipe card for full information on ingredients and quantities

spinach leaves cooked and squeezed dry on kitchen paper

COOK SPINACH: Place the spinach in a large bowl. Cover and microwave on high for 3 minutes until wilted. Alternatively, let the spinach leaves wilt in a pan with a splash of water.

Allow to cool, then squeeze out the water using your hands, a muslin cloth or use strong kitchen roll. You should be left with ⅔ cup (130g) cooked spinach.

Chop.

spinach mixture in a mixing bowl and a spatula

MIX ALL INGREDIENTS: Add the spinach to a large mixing bowl almond with all the remaining ingredients - eggs, cheddar and parmesan, almond flour, psyllium husk, garlic powder, onion powder, black pepper, parsley and ½ tablespoon olive oil.

Feel free to add a touch of salt but the cheese is salty in itself. Mix until combined.

FORM BALLS AND BAKE: Roll the mixture into balls and place on a baking tray lined with parchment paper. Spray the spinach balls with a little olive oil.

Tip: If the dough is sticking rub your hands in olive oil first before rolling.

Bake until golden on top, turning half way through.

Serving Suggestion

Serve with one of the following sauces or dips:

Homemade Sugar Free Ketchup - A classic and one of our fridge staples.
The Best 5 Minute Keto Mayonnaise - Let me show you how to make gorgeous wibbly-wobbly mayo at home.
Ranch dressing
Sour cream
Sugar Free BBQ Sauce - for a bit og tanginess.
Keto Hummus
Blue cheese dressing
Guacamole
Caesar Dressing - I could eat this dressing with literally anything!
Sugar Free Sweet Chilli Sauce Recipe - For an Asian twist - a fragrant, super-tasty sauce.

Substitutions

Use frozen spinach. Just cook it the same way, squeeze out the liquid and measure the quantity.

Nut free: Use ⅓ cup coconut flour in place of the almond flour. Or replace the almond flour with a 50/50 blend of sunflower seed flour and sesame seed flour.

Dairy-free: For dairy free spinach balls, use a vegan cheese alternative such as Violife. You can also add a little nutritional yeast.

Air fryer option: You can air fry these spinach balls as well - this makes them super crispy. Preheat the air fryer to 180C / 350F and cook for around 17-20 minutes.

Storage

Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days or freezer for up to 3 months.

Reheating: Cook in the microwave for 30 seconds or gently warm in a non-stick pan. You can also reheat in the air fryer or in the oven (200C / 400F for 5 minutes).

Here are some more easy keto appetizers we love: