Spinach and Kale Bites

Looking for a delicious appetizer? Spinach and Kale Bites are little vegetable balls loaded with spinach, kale, and Parmesan cheese.  Then they are lightly coated with panko breadcrumbs and baked until crispy and tender.  These little bites burst with spinach and Parmesan cheese flavor! The taste of kale is completely hidden in this little appetizer, making them the ideal snack for picky eaters.

A hand holding a spinach ball and broke it apart. by 2sistersrecipes.com
 
 
 

I saw these littleย spinach and kaleย bites in the freezer section atย Trader Joe’s and since I got hooked on Kale for theย first time a few years ago, making scrumptious kaleย drinks like kaleย smoothies, Iย boughtย a boxย and tried them for the first time.

They were very tasty, but a little too salty and a bit expensive.

So I decided to make them myself and duplicate the recipe as close as possible, only I decided to roll them in panko breadcrumbs for some crunch.

The outcome was really terrific, crunchy on the outside, and super moist on the inside.  The Parmesan cheese definitely adds depth of flavor to them.

A white platter filled with little spinach and kale balls. by 2sistersrecipes.com

You can alsoย try our mini rice ballsย as anotherย fun appetizer, and our cold spinach dipย for an easy make-ahead spinach dip!

For GLUTEN-FREE? Try our Gluten-Free Stuffed Mushrooms and our Deviled Eggs Italian Style!

Plus,ย  you might enjoy our favorite post for Baked Vegetable Bird’s Nests, also a copycat recipe from Trader Joe’s.

Spinach and Kale Bites by 2sistersrecipes.com

How to Make these Spinach and Kale Bites?

(*full recipe card below!)

  1. First, we need to simply give some flavor to the spinach and kale, sautรฉing both in a skillet.
A skillet sauteing the vegetables. by 2sistersrecipes.com

2. Next, we transfer the mixture to a food processor and pulse it a few times to chop. Transfer to a mixing bowl, and mix it with a few more ingredients.

3.  When working with this recipe, use 2  bowls or dishes, and pour some panko bread crumbs into one.

4.  Then take a teaspoon full of the spinach and kale mixture into your hand.  Make a small ball with your hands (larger than a quarter, smaller than a golf ball).

A ball of spinach in the palm of a hand. by 2sistersrecipes.com

5. Next, gently roll the ball into panko bread crumbs to coat evenly.

6. Then bake them for about 20 to 25 minutes and serve!

one spinach ball rolled in panko bread crumbs in a white dish. by 2sistersrecipes.com

 

And if you LOVE these spinach and kale bites, then try our Spinach and Kale Quiche–ย it is scrumptiously delicious.

Plus, try our Healthy Spinach Smoothie Recipe – it’s great for kids too!

ENJOY!! 

WATCH VIDEO!: How to make Spinach & Kale Bites? (1-minute)

Questions & Answers…

1. Can I Make Spinach and Kale Bites in Advance?

  • These are easy enough to make a day in advance for a party, and throw in the oven when guests arrive.
  • They’reย amazingly lightย and festive,ย definitely worthy of a fancy dinnerย or aย holiday party. Terrific to serve atย football parties too.

2. Can I Freeze Them?

  • You can make these spinach and kale bits and freeze them before you bake them. They will keep frozen for up to one month.
  • You can bake them and then freeze them and then reheat them before serving. That has worked for them too.

3. Make them Vegan or Dairy-free?

  • Yes, you can.  There are so many options these days for you to swap out certain ingredients and make this vegan or dairy-free.
  • Here’s a Tip from one of our comments below: ย “You can make ‘parmesan’ by combining 3/4 cup cashews, 1/4 tsp. garlic powder, 3/4 tsp. sea salt & 3 Tbsp. of nutritional yeast then blitz in a food processor.” I’m not sure how this will differ in taste from those with parmesan but these were so so yummy.”

NOTES and TIPS for Success…

  • If you omit the panko breadcrumbs from this recipe, you’ll have gluten-free spinach and kale bites.
  • These bites can be expensive to buy frozen (at Trader Joe’s) and about $5 for 10 bites.
  • Plus, most frozen foods are packed with high levels of sodium as well as some other unknown ingredients.
  • When you make them yourself, they’re definitely fresher and more cost-effective.
  • I love them because they’re baked not fried, and loaded with antioxidants and vitamins A, C and K. Plus, I’m giving my family a healthier snack instead of junk food.

Some ingredients you will need (with links to amazon):

…Thanks for Pinning! 

Spinach & Kale Bites by 2sistersrecipes.com

More Tasty Ideas! 

 
Yield: 20 bites

Spinach and Kale Bites

A hand holding a spinach ball and broke it apart. by 2sistersrecipes.com

Spinach and Kale Bites ~ Little vegetable balls loaded with spinach, kale, and Parmesan cheese then lightly coated with panko breadcrumbs and baked until crispy and tender. These little bites burst with spinach and Parmesan cheese flavor! The taste of kale is completely hidden in this little appetizer, making them the ideal snack for the picky eaters.

Prep Time 13 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 28 minutes

Ingredients

  • 1 small yellow onion- chopped
  • 2 Tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil
  • 2 Tbsp. salted butter
  • 6-ounce package fresh baby spinach (the equivalent to 5 oz. of frozen)
  • 2 cups packed with fresh kale, rinsed
  • 1 large scallion (green onion)
  • 1 egg
  • 2/3 cup panko bread crumbs, plus extra for coating
  • 1/2 cup grated Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese
  • salt and pepper to taste
  • dash of organic cayenne pepper
  • organic olive oil cooking spray

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
  2. In a frying pan, heat and melt butter with olive oil. Add yellow onion and sauté until softened and translucent, about 5 minutes. Add spinach and kale and cook until they wilt about 1 to 2 minutes.
  3. Place cooked contents into a food processor along with one chopped scallion and pulse for several seconds. Transfer mixture to a medium-size mixing bowl.
  4. Add one egg, 2/3 cup of panko bread crumbs, and Parmesan cheese. Mix with a spoon until well combined. Add salt and black pepper to taste and a dash of cayenne pepper.
  5. In a second smaller bowl or dish, pour some panko bread crumbs. Take a teaspoon full of the spinach and kale mixture into your hand. Make a small ball with your hands (larger than a quarter, smaller than a golf ball).
  6. Gently roll the ball into panko bread crumbs to coat evenly.
  7. Lightly spray the baking sheet with cooking spray. Place the spinach and kale bites onto the baking sheet. Bake for 20 to 35 minutes. Serve warm.
  8. Yields: 20 bites

Nutrition Information:

Yield:

20 Bites (about 10 servings)

Serving Size:

1 serving ( 2 bites )

Amount Per Serving: Calories: 125Total Fat: 8.4gCarbohydrates: 7.9gFiber: 1.3gSugar: .9gProtein: 6g

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 xo Anna and Liz  

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90 Comments

  1. You provide the weight for the spinach, but any idea of the kale amount? 2 cups can vary for me depending on how small I chop it, or the way I pack it into a cup. I also plan to make and freeze, then bake. Do you think that I should roll them in panko prior to baking so that it does not get soggy in the freezer?
    Thanks!

    1. Hello Dselmal!! When I made these bites years ago, I only measured the kale by packing it into a measuring cup. But if I had to guess, I would say it was about 1/2 of a 6-ounce package, which is about 3-ounces (this is only a guess!).
      Also, if you check my Notes and Tips section, you can prepare them, roll in panko, freeze them, pop them into the oven, and bake them. Or you can bake them first, then freeze them and pop them into a warm oven to reheat for a few minutes.
      I hope this helps! Have a great week! ๐Ÿ™‚
      warmly,
      anna

  2. Never had the TJ’s version but I’ve been getting a lot of french kale, curly kale, baby spinach, and black spinach and had no idea what to do with it all – this recipe has been a godsend. It seems to really handle any greens I throw at it. My roommates love it and it’s a favorite in my household! Hits the perfect balance of healthy but decadent. I do skip the cayenne and add a little fresh garlic. Any thank you so much!

    1. Hi Caitlyn! Welcome to our blog, it’s so nice to meet you! Thank you for trying our favorite recipe, we make them often too. Thanks so much for your lovely comment, we truly appreciate it. Have a great day! ๐Ÿ™‚