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    Home » What We're Eating » Appetizers and Snacks » Aunt Bee's Cheesy Spinach Squares

    Aunt Bee's Cheesy Spinach Squares

    Published: Nov 17, 2018 by Blair Lonergan

    Jump to Recipe
    Long collage of easy Cheesy Spinach Squares appetizer

    Aunt Bee's Cheesy Spinach Squares are a delicious make ahead appetizer to serve at your upcoming holiday party! They are the perfect bite-size finger food, but they work equally well as a weeknight side dish. Cheesy, easy and just 10 minutes of prep -- how can you go wrong?

    Easy Cheesy Spinach Squares stacked on a plate with text overlay

    When Aunt Bee originally sent me the handwritten index card with this recipe on it, the title was called "Spinach Brownies." I immediately envisioned some weird concoction of chocolate and leafy greens, but boy was I wrong! This is a recipe that dates back to the days when it was not en vogue to hide your veggies in dessert treats, or to lighten up a dish with "secret" ingredients like chickpeas or kale. Instead, I suppose they were called "brownies" because you can bake them in a square pan and slice them just like you would a more traditional brownie. But the similarities stop there (fortunately!).

    Instead of some odd chocolate-spinach blend, these are actually just a very simple savory recipe for spinach and cheese squares that can be prepped in a matter of minutes, baked, and even frozen until you're ready to enjoy them.

    They are great make ahead hors d'oeuvres because they can be sliced into very small bite-size squares, they don't make a mess, and they taste great either warm or at room temp. And did I mention that you can make them in advance?!

    Plate of easy appetizers called cheesy spinach squares

    How to Make Spinach Squares:

    This is SO simple, y'all! It's really just a matter of stirring together a few ingredients and baking them in the oven. That's it!

    So let's start with the spinach. I use a box of frozen chopped spinach, which I can cook in the microwave in about 5 minutes.

    Very important tip, though: make sure that you place the cooked spinach in a dish towel and SQUEEZE it dry. You want to get as much water out as possible before adding the spinach to your bars.

    Box of frozen chopped spinach

    Another little tip: I find that hand-grating the cheese (which only takes a minute or two) is far better than using the bagged stuff in this recipe. The block of cheese just melts much smoother than the pre-shredded version.

    Grated cheddar cheese on cutting board

    Then, as I mentioned, you just stir everything together!

    Ingredients for spinach squares in glass mixing bowl

    Transfer the batter to a 9-inch square baking dish, and pop it in the oven for about 30 minutes.

    Spinach squares in white baking dish before oven

    Allow the spinach squares to cool slightly before slicing and serving!

    Cheesy Spinach Squares on a blue and white appetizer plate

    Can you freeze spinach squares?

    Yes! This make ahead appetizer can be baked in advance, and then wrapped tightly and frozen for up to 2 months.

    Plate of easy make ahead appetizers called spinach squares

    How to Reheat Spinach Squares:

    To reheat frozen spinach squares, place the frozen squares in a 400-degree F oven for about 20 minutes.

    Hand picking up spinach square from a plate

    The spinach squares are delicious when served warm or at room temperature, so they're great for setting out at a party. You don't have to worry about keeping them warm! They're also not messy or hard to eat, so your guests will thank you! They can grab a Cheesy Spinach Square in one hand and hold a glass of wine in the other! Cheers!

    COOK'S TIPS:

    • Serving a larger crowd? Double the recipe and bake the spinach squares in a 9 x 13-inch dish.
    • Be sure that the spinach is squeezed very dry before adding it to the rest of the ingredients. To do so, I like to place the cooked spinach in a dish towel and wring it out over the sink. You'll be amazed by how much water comes out!
    • Grate the cheese by hand, rather than purchasing a package of pre-shredded cheese. This extra step is worth the effort, since the hand-grated cheese melts better (and tastes better)!
    • If freezing the squares, be sure to allow them to cool completely before wrapping.
    • Want to use fresh spinach instead of frozen chopped spinach? I have never prepared the recipe with fresh spinach myself, but a reader has tested it and commented below. See her note if you'd like to give it a try!

    You might also enjoy these recipes with chopped spinach:

    • 5-Ingredient Creamy Spinach Dip
    • Easy Creamed Spinach Casserole
    • Chicken Crescent Ring with Spinach and Artichoke
    • Dump-and-Bake Chicken Florentine Pasta
    Print Pin
    4.7 from 10 votes

    Aunt Bee's Cheesy Spinach Squares

    Aunt Bee's Cheesy Spinach Squares are an easy make ahead appetizer to serve at your upcoming holiday party!
    Course Appetizer
    Cuisine American
    Keyword cheese squares, recipes with chopped spinach, spinach squares
    Prep Time 10 minutes
    Cook Time 30 minutes
    Cooling Time 30 minutes
    Total Time 40 minutes
    Servings 16 people
    Calories 114kcal
    Author Blair Lonergan

    Ingredients

    • 1 cup flour
    • 1 teaspoon salt
    • 1 teaspoon baking powder
    • 1 cup milk
    • 1 ½ cups grated cheddar cheese
    • 2 eggs, lightly beaten
    • 4 tablespoons butter, melted
    • 1 (9 ounce) package frozen chopped spinach, cooked and squeezed dry

    Instructions

    • Mix all ingredients together. Place mixture in a greased 9-inch square pan.
    • Bake in a 350 degree oven for 30-35 minutes.
    • Loosen edges from sides of pan as soon as they are removed from the oven. Cool slightly before cutting into squares. Serve warm, or freeze to use later.
    • If using frozen squares, reheat at 400 degrees for about 20 minutes (or until heated through).

    Notes

    COOK'S TIPS:
    • Serving a larger crowd? Double the recipe and bake the spinach squares in a 9 x 13-inch dish.
    • Be sure that the spinach is squeezed very dry before adding it to the rest of the ingredients. To do so, I like to place the cooked spinach in a dish towel and wring it out over the sink. You'll be amazed by how much water comes out!
    • Grate the cheese by hand, rather than purchasing a package of pre-shredded cheese. This extra step is worth the effort, since the hand-grated cheese melts better (and tastes better)!
    • If freezing the squares, be sure to allow them to cool completely before wrapping.
    • Want to use fresh spinach instead of frozen chopped spinach? I have never prepared the recipe with fresh spinach myself, but a reader has tested it and commented below. See her note if you'd like to give it a try!
    Can you freeze spinach squares?
    Yes! This make ahead appetizer can be baked in advance, and then wrapped tightly and frozen for up to 2 months.
    How to Reheat Spinach Squares:
    To reheat frozen spinach squares, place the frozen squares in a 400-degree F oven for about 20 minutes.

    Nutrition

    Serving: 1spinach square | Calories: 114kcal | Carbohydrates: 7g | Protein: 5g | Fat: 7g | Saturated Fat: 4g | Cholesterol: 39mg | Sodium: 262mg | Potassium: 130mg | Vitamin A: 2125IU | Vitamin C: 0.9mg | Calcium: 132mg | Iron: 0.8mg

    This post was originally published in November, 2014. It was updated in November, 2018.

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Dan from Platter Talk

      November 15, 2014 at 9:06 am

      5 stars
      Gosh, these little squares of spinach and cheese look just delightful! What's more, we know very well that if something comes from Aunt Bee there is no other way! Thanks for sharing these, now if I could just bite into one!

      Reply
      • Blair

        November 15, 2014 at 11:04 am

        Hah! Thanks so much for stopping by, Dan. You're right -- Aunt Bee knows her stuff!

        Reply
    2. Sarah @ Sunny Runner

      November 17, 2014 at 5:53 am

      These look fabulous and so simple to make!

      Reply
      • Blair

        November 17, 2014 at 3:38 pm

        Thanks, Sarah! They definitely are!!! 🙂

        Reply
    3. Andrea@TablerPartyOfTwo

      November 21, 2014 at 8:44 pm

      This looks so easy to make and so yummy too! Visiting from Link-a-palooza!

      Reply
      • Blair

        November 22, 2014 at 7:23 pm

        Thanks so much, Andrea!

        Reply
    4. Winnie

      November 22, 2014 at 4:41 pm

      Oh it looks sooooooooo inviting!!
      I love spinach and cheese, and I'm drooling now 🙂

      Reply
      • Blair

        November 22, 2014 at 7:22 pm

        Thanks, Winnie! 🙂 I love that flavor combo, too!

        Reply
    5. Jen

      September 09, 2015 at 3:41 pm

      Hi what dat percent milk did you use? Have you tried different ones and how were the results? Thanks!

      Reply
      • Blair

        September 09, 2015 at 5:02 pm

        Hey, Jen! I used a low-fat milk (1 or 2%) since that's what I typically have on hand. You could probably use skim or whole with good results, too. I have not tried a non-dairy milk such as almond or soy milk, so I can't speak for those. Enjoy! 🙂

        Reply
    6. Kelly

      January 16, 2016 at 1:29 am

      I have a lot of fresh spinach to use instead of frozen. Have you tried using fresh spinach? do I need to cook it first, or just use it raw in the recipe? Thanks

      Reply
      • Blair

        January 16, 2016 at 5:55 am

        Hi, Kelly! No, I have never tried it with fresh spinach. I'm sure that it would work fine, but you just need a lot of fresh spinach to equal the amount that you would get in a frozen box. You'll want to cook the spinach first, and wring it out to make sure that you remove most of the liquid. Let me know if you give it a try! 🙂

        Reply
      • Melissa

        November 28, 2017 at 1:20 pm

        Hi Blair! I only ever use fresh spinach when making these squares and I just toss it right into the mix - no pre-cooking required! I usually use almost an entire plastic carton of the organic baby spinach and I find that works just perfectly.

        Reply
        • Blair

          November 28, 2017 at 5:39 pm

          Oh, good to know, Melissa! Thanks for sharing that tip! 🙂

          Reply
        • Karen Mason

          December 08, 2017 at 10:54 am

          5 stars
          Thank you, Melissa for the tip on the substitution of fresh spinach!!

          Reply
        • Rhonda Uhrich

          January 11, 2020 at 3:31 pm

          May I ask how much is an entire carton? Maybe ounces?

          Reply
      • Jacky

        February 12, 2022 at 5:37 pm

        What size squares do you cut when using a nine inch square baking dish? (For calorie purposes. These look so good I think I'd be tempted to cut FOUR squares and just go crazy!)

        Reply
        • Blair Lonergan

          February 12, 2022 at 7:41 pm

          Hi, Jacky! The nutrition information is automatically calculated based on 16 squares (so a 4 x 4 grid). If you adjust the sizes of the squares, the nutrition info will change accordingly. Hope that helps, and enjoy!

          Reply
    7. Kelly

      January 16, 2016 at 1:31 am

      Have you ever made this with fresh spinach? I have a lot to use, but not sure if I should cook it first or use it raw in the recipe.

      Reply
    8. Patsy

      February 03, 2018 at 4:30 pm

      How are these at room temperature? I need to make this and ay in advance for an appetizers and dessert party I won’t be able to rehear for the party. Will they be edible at room temp?

      Reply
      • Blair

        February 03, 2018 at 5:49 pm

        Hi, Patsy! They are great at room temperature!

        Reply
        • Linda DalCerro

          April 25, 2021 at 1:18 pm

          5 stars
          Theses spinach squares are the best. I have been making them for 25 years. Everyone loves them, including me. Warm, cold or room temperature. They are delicious. I bring them to all the parties. Put them on a dish & reheat in the microwave before you put them out for your guests.

          Reply
          • Blair

            April 25, 2021 at 1:34 pm

            Thank you, Linda! I'm so happy to hear that! 🙂

            Reply
    9. Caryn

      November 20, 2018 at 7:30 am

      5 stars
      Hi. Do you have to refrigerate them? I accidentally left mine out overnight after baking them last night...

      Reply
      • Blair

        November 20, 2018 at 9:03 am

        Hi, Caryn! I think they should be fine if left out on the counter overnight! I'd just stick them in the refrigerator today until you're ready to enjoy them. 🙂

        Reply
    10. Mary Hilliard

      December 17, 2018 at 12:18 pm

      Is there a way to make these with green Chile’s to have them be Mexican flavored?

      Reply
      • Blair

        December 17, 2018 at 12:24 pm

        Hey, Mary! I'm glad that you asked! 🙂 I actually have another similar recipe that uses green chiles here: https://www.theseasonedmom.com/aunt-bees-chile-cheese-squares/

        Reply
    11. Aliwazoo

      January 12, 2019 at 10:14 pm

      Always best to go adjust to your own taste. The second t8me I made them, I included a much stronger mix of cheese (with Asiago). Delicious! Plus I used broccoli stems and cauliflower leaves, chopped up in the food processor and then drained through a sieve to get rid of the excess water. Just as yummy as the spinach, and that’s saying something! Loved the recipe and the flexibility of it. Thanks!

      Reply
      • Blair

        January 13, 2019 at 5:57 am

        Great tips! I bet that cheese was great! Thank you. 🙂

        Reply
    12. Sara Savage

      June 13, 2019 at 5:22 am

      5 stars
      Made a tray of these! Smelled so yummy I simply couldn't resist and ate most of the tray to myself! I froze what was left over and they ended up being an amazing treat for hot days like today. Thanks Blair!

      Reply
      • Blair

        June 13, 2019 at 5:50 am

        I'm so glad to hear that, Sara! I could eat a try myself, too! 🙂

        Reply
    13. AOK

      February 11, 2020 at 1:57 pm

      I have this recipe but using 4 cups cheese and twice the amount of spinach (and 3 instead of 2 eggs). I think that is a better ratio to the cup of flour.

      Reply
    14. Fran McCarthy

      September 05, 2020 at 11:29 am

      I made these yesterday and I want to reheat them today
      Can I do this in Microwave

      Reply
      • Blair

        September 05, 2020 at 11:59 am

        Hi, Fran! Yes -- I think that should work fine. If you have a lot of them to reheat, I would recommend using the oven. If you're just trying to warm up one or two, then the microwave is the way to go. Enjoy!

        Reply
    15. Beth

      December 26, 2020 at 7:10 am

      2 stars
      Made Xmas morning. Very disappointed. All you could taste was the Flour. Would definitely recommend using no more than 1/2 cup. I would use some Colby Jack or something to spice it up with as well,.... next time.

      Reply
    16. Victoria

      January 17, 2021 at 4:53 pm

      5 stars
      This is the exact recipe my Grandmother used when I was growing up, I could not find it in my cards and tried this one because I had to bring them, they tasted so similar I hunted my recipe card down for days and viola! The same measurements! Classic.

      Reply
      • Blair

        January 17, 2021 at 5:39 pm

        That's awesome, Victoria! I'm so glad that you could have a little taste of your grandmother again. 🙂

        Reply
    17. Francis

      November 30, 2021 at 1:33 pm

      5 stars
      I'm excited to try these as my favorite vegetable is spinach. I couldn't help myself and added some granulated garlic, onion and dried thyme. I also warmed and added four ounces of cream cheese and replaced half the milk with heavy cream. I wish I could post a picture as I used souffle cups to cook these in. I'm expecting raves..... Thank you for this wonderful recipe.....

      Reply
      • Blair Lonergan

        November 30, 2021 at 5:11 pm

        Sounds perfect, Francis! So glad that you'll get to enjoy them!

        Reply
    18. Marie

      January 20, 2022 at 10:33 am

      Can I substitute a gluten free flour such as coconut or other in this recipe

      Reply
      • Blair Lonergan

        January 20, 2022 at 12:45 pm

        Hi, Marie! I'm not sure, since I've never baked with gluten-free ingredients or alternate flours like that. I would think the recipe will work fine if you use a 1:1 gluten-free substitute.

        Reply
    19. Bunny Peters

      June 26, 2022 at 1:38 pm

      I love this recipe!!! I use heavy cream, 3 eggs, dash of nutmeg, Monterey Jack cheese and bake these in mini muffin tins until they “test done”. I cater lots of gatherings and to have everything “bite sized” & “pre-portioned” is a huge time saver for me.

      Also, if I omit the cheese and use coconut cream instead of milk, I am making an easy version of Palusami which is an amazing Polynesian dish (can add curry powder and it’s fantastic)!!!

      If a

      Reply
      • Blair Lonergan

        June 26, 2022 at 2:47 pm

        Your version sounds delicious, Bunny. Thank you for your kind note!

        Reply

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