- Prep
- 20 min
- Cook
- 30 min
- Total time
- 50 min
- Yield
- 4 servings
- Difficulty
- EASY
- Calories
- 290 kcal
Quick summary
“The spinach fritter unites fresh leaves sautéed in garlic and onion to a dough bodied with eggs, wheat flour, and grated parmesan cheese, fried until golden. A tasty and crispy snack, ideal for appetizers and snacks.”
What you need to know
- Sautéing the spinach beforehand reduces the water content of the leaves, preventing the dumpling batter from becoming soggy.
- Grated Parmesan cheese adds fat and saltiness that balance the vegetable's mild herbal bitterness.
- Frying in medium oil quickly browns the crust while cooking the inside without soaking.
Ingredients
Main
- 2 cups fresh spinach
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 2 eggs
- 1/2 cup of grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/2 onion, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon salt
- Pepper to taste
- Oil for frying
Instructions
Principal
- In a pan, sauté the onion and garlic until golden.
- Add the spinach and cook until wilted. Set aside to cool.
- In a bowl, mix the eggs, flour, and Parmesan cheese.
- Add the sautéed spinach to the mixture and season with salt and pepper.
- Form dumplings with your hands or with a spoon.
- Heat the oil in a pot over medium heat.
- Fry the fritters until golden brown on both sides.
- Remove and place on paper towels to drain excess oil.
Chef's tips
- Let the sautéed spinach cool completely and drain the residual liquid before mixing into the flour.
- Shape the dumplings with the help of two moistened tablespoons to ensure uniform shape and weight.
- Drain the fried dumplings immediately on paper towels in a single layer to preserve the crunch.
Variations
- Add 1 teaspoon of freshly grated nutmeg to the dough to perfume the cheese mixture.
- Bake the nuggets on a greased baking sheet in a preheated oven at 200°C for 20 minutes, turning halfway through.
- Stuff the center of each portion with a small cube of mozzarella before frying to get a stringy filling.
Substitutions
- Traditional wheat flour can be replaced by cornstarch or rice flour for a light texture.
- The parmesan cheese can be swapped for finely grated cured standard minas cheese or semi-cured cheese.
- Fresh spinach can be replaced by thinly sliced and sautéed collard greens.
How to store
Store the fried dumplings in a container lined with paper towels in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. To reheat and restore the crispy crust, use the electric oven at 180°C for 8 minutes or the airfryer basket for 4 minutes.
Can it be frozen?
Freeze the already fried dumplings after they have cooled completely, distributed on a baking sheet and then in appropriate bags for up to 60 days. Reheat them directly frozen in the oven at 200°C for 12 to 15 minutes until golden.
What to serve with
Pairs very well with homemade hot sauce, garlic lemon mayonnaise, tartar sauce, or fresh lemon wedges. To drink, it pairs perfectly with cold pilsner beer or guarana soda.
Frequently asked questions
How to know if the oil has reached the correct temperature for frying?
Place the tip of a toothpick in the oil; if it bubbles immediately around the edges, the temperature is ideal.
Can I make the spinach dumplings in the air fryer?
Yes, preheat to 180°C, brush oil on the surface of the balls, and bake for about 12 minutes until golden.
Can I use packaged frozen spinach in this recipe?
Yes, thaw 200g of chopped spinach, squeeze hard in a dish towel to dry, and add to the dough.
Why did the spinach balls fall apart in the hot oil?
This occurs if the spinach is placed with too much water or if the amount of flour is insufficient to bind.
