Spinach Cups
Crisp bread cups filled with a flavorful spinach and onion mixture, topped with creamy cheese, perfect as elegant appetizers for parties or gatherings.
Ingredients
Instructions
- Trim bread crusts and flatten slices with a rolling pin.
- Cut bread slices into quarters.
- Press bread quarters into mini muffin pans coated with cooking spray.
- Bake in a 350°F preheated oven for 5 to 7 minutes or until lightly browned.
- Drain frozen chopped spinach and press between paper towels to remove excess moisture.
- Coat a large skillet with cooking spray and melt the margarine over medium heat.
- Add chopped onion and sauté for 4 to 5 minutes.
- Stir in spinach and cook for 2 to 3 minutes until thoroughly heated.
- In a bowl, combine cream cheese with diced pimento, minced garlic, hot sauce, and salt.
- Add the spinach mixture to the cream cheese mixture and stir well.
- Spoon about 2 teaspoons of the filling into each bread cup.
- Bake at 350°F for 5 minutes or until thoroughly heated.
Tips & Substitutions
For a lighter option, use low-fat cream cheese or Greek yogurt instead of regular cream cheese. If you don’t have whole wheat bread, white bread works just as well. To make the dish even more flavorful, consider adding herbs like dill or parsley to the spinach mixture. Keep an eye on the baking time to prevent the bread from becoming too crispy or hard.
Serving Suggestions
These spinach cups make a fantastic appetizer for gatherings or a light snack for any occasion. They pair beautifully with a fresh garden salad or a side of roasted vegetables. For a more substantial meal, serve them alongside a bowl of soup, such as tomato basil. They also work well for brunch, alongside dishes like Flo'S Pizza Pups.
Storage & Reheating
Store any leftover spinach cups in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, place them in a preheated oven at 350°F for about 10 minutes, or until warmed through. You can also microwave them for about 30 seconds, but the oven will help maintain the crispiness of the bread.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of Spinach Cups contains roughly 116 calories, with 2g protein, 23g carbohydrates, and 2g fat.
Estimated from ingredients & per-serving nutrition — verify against package labels for allergies or strict diets.
* % Daily Values based on a 2,000 calorie diet (FDA 2020).
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use fresh spinach instead of frozen?
Yes, you can use fresh spinach. You'll need about 1 pound of fresh spinach to equal the 10 oz. of frozen spinach. Sauté the fresh spinach until wilted, and then drain and press it to remove excess moisture before adding it to the filling.
Can I make these spinach cups ahead of time?
Absolutely! You can prepare the bread cups and filling a day in advance. Store each component separately in the refrigerator and assemble them just before baking. This way, they will be fresh and warm when served, perfect for gatherings.
What can I substitute for pimentos?
If you don’t have pimentos, you can use roasted red peppers or even chopped olives for a different flavor. Just be sure to drain them well to avoid adding excess moisture to the filling.
Nutrition is estimated from USDA FoodData Central ingredient data and may vary with brand, portion and preparation — see our methodology. This information is for general educational purposes only and is not medical or dietary advice (disclaimer).