Simple to make, healthy and all types of delicious, these Gluten Free Spinach Quinoa will be a huge hit at your next party or gathering!
Disclaimer: This post is sponsored by Bob’s Red Mill. The wonderful people at Bob’s Red Mill compensated me for the time spent developing and photographing this recipe. However, like always, the opinions are entirely my own. Promise 🙂 My sponsors help make this blog possible.
It’s December and it’s time to really start thinking about the upcoming holidays. Hanukkah already began and Christmas is right around the corner.
Every Christmas Eve I try to make a healthy and delicious appetizer for our family party. Recently I tested these Spinach Quinoa Balls out on my immediate family, and these were such a hit that the next time I make them, I need to make a double batch!
Yes, they are THAT good.
I am so excited to partner with Bob’s Red Mill to create this amazing recipe. I use Bob’s Red Mill’s products all the time and their quinoa is my favorite.
Quinoa is marketed as a grain, but it is actually a seed. If you want to be even more technical, it is the seed of a grain, but still a seed.
Quinoa is a complete protein (it contains all of the essential amino acids) and it is naturally gluten-free. I chose to use their red quinoa which is not only healthy, it also looks festive and pretty and tastes delicious.
Pair the red quinoa with the spinach and you have one festive looking and insanely delicious appetizer. I love holiday colors!
So many of the appetizers at parties are filled with calories and fat. Now don’t get me wrong, they are crazy delicious I am sure and you know I am all about moderation and enjoying yourself, but it is always helpful to have healthier choices.
And when I bring a more nutritious option to a party or gathering I know that I will definitely eat at least one thing that’s healthy!
Sometimes that’s not always the case.
Ingredients
- 2 boxes 10 ounce frozen spinach defrosted and water thoroughly squeezed out
- 1 chopped onion
- 5 tablespoons organic butter melted
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 1 teaspoon ground pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 cup Bob's Red Mill Red Quinoa cooked
- 1/4 cup sun dried tomatoes diced
- 1/2 cup almond meal or almond flour
- 1/2 cup ground flaxseed
- 6 beaten eggs can also use 4 whole eggs and 3 egg whites
- 1/3 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
- Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Mix all the ingredients together in a large bowl.
- Refrigerate for at least an hour (can be left overnight).
- Roll into balls and place onto prepared baking sheet.
- Bake for 20 minutes. Let cool and enjoy!
Notes
Nutrition
These are so simple to make and no one has to know that they are packed with protein and nutrients and also healthy! It’ll be our secret.
I do recommend that you make a double batch because they never last long. Or you can be like me and take few right away before they’re gone.
Or hide them from everyone else. Definitely no judgement here.
You gotta do what you gotta do sometimes…
If you made these Gluten Free Spinach Quinoa Balls or any of my other recipes, please come back and let me know. You guys know I love to hear from you and I am so confident that you will love these babies too!
Thanks so much for stopping by and please come back again soon!
Such a great recipe and a big hit here! I made these with my daughter and we loved them! Definitely making these again!
These GF spinach quinoa balls are so delicious! Love how simple they are to make and make for a GREAT breakfast!
Yum! What a healthy and delicious addition to our dinner. I served it along side some grass-fed beef and it was the perfect complement to our meal. Thanks for always having delicious AND healthy meal ideas!
Can you freeze extras to save for another week?
Hi Lex! Yes, I would freeze cooked ones. I hope you like them!
Is this one cup of dry quinoa that you then cooked, or cooked quinoa measured to one cup??
Thank you!
Hi Kat! I know, measuring quinoa can be confusing. This calls for 1 cup of cooked quinoa. I hope you like them!
Would fresh spinach work for this recipe? If so, should I saute it til the moisture releases and then drain?
Yes absolutely Lee! I hope you like them!
I don’t have almond meal and I’m not worried about gluten free.. Any substitute ?
Hi Amy! Yes, I would use bread crumbs instead. I hope you like them! 🙂
these look yummy! How many balls does the recipe yield?
Hi Linda! Depending upon the size of them, it yields between 24-30 balls. I hope you like them!
These would be such a great appetizer for Thanksgiving! Glad I haven’t finalized my menu yet!
I hope you like them Johnna!
This looks so yummy Lauren!!
Thanks so much Dani!
I fell in love with quinoa during culinary school, and I’m probably the biggest spinach lover out there, so these quinoa bites are right up my alley, Lauren!
these are my favorite Becca!! 🙂
Looks so yummy + healthy!
Thank you!