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    MJ & Hungryman » Baby/Kid-Friendly Recipes

    Healthy Spinach Cakes

    By Min On August 8, 2022

    This post may contain affiliate links. Please see our disclosure policy for more details.

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    3 cakes stacked on top of each other.

    These healthy blender spinach cakes are gluten-free, packed with nutrients, and contains no added sugar. They are light and moist and are perfect for babies and kids of all ages!

    3 cakes stacked on top of each other.

    Spinach Cakes

    I developed this recipe almost 5 years ago when I was looking for a nutritious and delicious way to serve more spinach and other leafy greens to my first baby.

    I was introduced to baby led weaning, and I spent a lot of time in the kitchen conjuring up all kinds of finger-friendly meals to make every bite count.

    At that time, I had no idea that sharing all these baby-friendly recipes would become my full-time job, but here I am! And I absolutely adore this space and community.

    These spinach cakes were and continue to be one of my son's FAVORITES, and his 1 year old sister is following in his footsteps.

    All you need are a handful of ingredients, a blender, and a muffin pan. Let's get started!

    And no, it doesn't taste like spinach! I promise!

    Don't know what to do with all the leftover spinach in the container? Try my Green Smoothies or Spinach Muffins!

    Ingredients

    All the ingredients laid out on a white background and labelled.

    I am highlighting just the ones that need further explanation. The complete list is in the recipe card below.

    • Oats - rolled oats will work best but you can also use quick-cooking oats.
    • Fresh baby spinach - I don't recommend using frozen spinach. Not only will the muffins not be this vibrant in color, but they will make the cakes wet.
    • Banana - use over ripe banana with plenty of brown spots
    • Greek yogurt- You may have noticed that a lot of my baked goods contain this amazing ingredient! Not only does it boost nutrition, it adds flavor, creaminess, and moisture. Be sure to use whole milk plain yogurt, as dietary fat is super crucial for optimal brain development during the early years.
    • Unsweetened applesauce - you can use store-bought or homemade applesauce (so easy to make!)
    • Sweet potatoes or carrots - this is optional but adds great flavor and nutrition. Use a food processor with a grating attachment or a box grater to shred. If using the latter, be sure to use the side with the larger round holes.

    The Ultimate guide to spinach for babies

    Step-by-Step Instructions

    1. Add all the ingredients in the order listed (minus the walnuts and sweet potatoes) into a food processor or blender and blend until smooth.
    2. Stir in sweet potatoes and walnuts.
    3. Pour into a muffin pan and bake!
    4. Cool and enjoy!

    Equipment

    I've had my blender for over 7 years and use it for everything as I don't own a food processor. It is well worth the investment.

    I use it to make all my blender muffins, dips/sauces, smoothies, veggie nuggets, pancakes..It's so fantastic, I can't recommend it enough!

    I also love using this silicone muffin tin because nothing sticks!! There's no need to grease or use muffin liners.

    Tips for Success (be sure to read!)

    A close up shot of a bite taken out of cooked cake.
    • Be sure to squeeze out as much water out of the sweet potatoes or carrots as possible! Otherwise the cakes will turn out wet.
    • Depending on your oven, you may need to cook more than the suggested time. Insert a toothpick in the middle. If it comes out clean, you are done! The cakes will be soft but will firm up as they cool.
    • You MUST let the cakes cool completely (at least 10 minutes) before removing from the muffin pan. The cakes WILL stick if you try to remove them too soon.
    • Walnuts - whole nuts are a choking hazard so be sure to finely ground for babies or finely chop for toddlers.

    Nuts and seeds for babies

    Substitutions

    • Dairy-free? you can use any non-dairy alternatives, like coconut and soy yogurt. Try to find those without any added sugar for under 2 years.
    • Egg-free? Use flax eggs! In a bowl, combine 2 tablespoons of flaxseed meal (ground flaxseed) and 6 tablespoons of water. Allow the mixture to sit for 8-10 minutes until thickened like gel-like consistency.

    Spinach Cakes for Babies and Toddlers

    Spinach cake with meatballs, cheese, sweet potatoes, and apples in a lunch box.

    You can either serve whole or halved cake. Serve as is or spread some yogurt, fruit puree, peanut butter, or veggie-loaded dips.

    These green cakes are perfect for breakfast, snack, or lunch.

    Easy Lunch Ideas for Daycare or Preschool

    Storage Suggestions

    Store the cakes in an airtight container and keep in the refrigerator for 3-4 days. Enjoy cold, at room temperature, or microwave briefly (no more than 15 seconds).

    To freeze, I recommend flash freezing. Transfer to an airtight container or freezer bag and store for up to 3 months. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight.

    Additional Must-Try Cakes

    • Sweet potato cakes
    • First birthday cake without added sugar (not just for birthdays though!)
    • Easy baked shrimp cakes (if looking for a savory recipe)
    3 cakes stacked on top of each other.3 cakes stacked on top of each other.

    Spinach Cakes

    These healthy blender spinach cakes are gluten-free, packed with nutrients, and contains no added sugar. Perfect for babies and toddlers.
    5 from 5 votes
    Print Pin Rate
    Prep Time: 5 minutes minutes
    Cook Time: 20 minutes minutes
    Total Time: 25 minutes minutes
    Servings: 9
    Author: Min | MJ and Hungryman

    Equipment

    • Blender
    • Muffin Pan
    • Oats

    Ingredients

    • 6 ounces (¾ cup) plain Greek yogurt
    • ½ cup unsweetened applesauce
    • 1 large egg, or flax egg
    • 1 medium over ripe banana
    • 2 large handfuls of baby spinach
    • 1 cup (100g) rolled oats
    • 1 teaspoon baking powder
    • ¼ teaspoon baking soda
    • ½ cup raw grated sweet potatoes or carrots
    • â…“ cup finely chopped or ground walnuts
    • 1 teaspoon cinnamon

    Instructions

    • Preheat oven to 350°F.
    • Add all the ingredients in the order listed (minus the sweet potatoes and walnuts) into the food processor or blender and blend until smooth.
    • Stir in sweet potatoes and walnuts. Pour batter evenly into a greased, lined or silicone 12-cup muffin pan.
    • Bake for 20 minutes, or until inserted toothpick comes out clean.
    • Cool completely (wait at least 10 minutes) before taking them out of the pan.
    • Once cooled, store in the refrigerator. If your cakes are on the wetter side (be sure to squeeze out as much liquid from the sweet potatoes), they will firm up a bit more in the fridge.

    Notes

    • Dairy-free? substitute with plant-based yogurt of choice
    • Once cooled completely, transfer the cakes into an airtight container and store in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
    • Freeze for up to 3 months.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 111kcal | Carbohydrates: 15g | Protein: 5g | Fat: 4g | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 4g | Vitamin A: 2801IU | Calcium: 73mg
    Course Snack
    Cuisine American
    Tried this Recipe? Tag me Today!Tag me @KidFriendly.Meals today!

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      Favorite Cheese Quesadilla Recipe
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    About Min

    Thank you so much for stopping by! I am Min, a Registered Dietitian, a Christ follower, a wife, and a mom to our two miracle babies! Currently, I’m having a ton of fun feeding their tummies and sharing our baby led weaning journey! Follow me on Instagram if interested in seeing daily menu as well as tips and tricks.

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Caroline says

      February 16, 2023 at 11:26 am

      Can I skip the nuts? Or would I need a replacement ingredient?

      Reply
      • Min says

        February 16, 2023 at 3:21 pm

        You can! But because these are very soft, the nuts add a lovely texture. you can also add some seeds, if allergic to nuts

        Reply
    2. Carolyn says

      October 03, 2022 at 1:56 pm

      5 stars
      My 1-year-old loves these muffins! They’re a great snack to pack to take places too!

      Reply
    3. Valencia says

      September 16, 2022 at 2:54 am

      I forgot to buy baking soda. Can I skip it?

      Reply
      • Min says

        September 17, 2022 at 9:16 pm

        No with any baked goods, you really want to not alter the leavening agents, especially!

        Reply
    4. Nicole Trejo says

      August 30, 2022 at 5:15 pm

      Yay! So happy to have this recipe back! The whole family love how moist and tasty these are; I love how easy they are to make. I would recommend this recipe 100%.

      Reply
      • Min says

        August 30, 2022 at 6:08 pm

        I had absolutely NO idea just how many family have really been enjoying this recipe! This one is here to stay 😉

        Reply
    5. Michelle says

      August 26, 2022 at 9:59 am

      Thank you for reuploading this one!! This is my daughter’s favourite healthy muffin recipe.

      Reply
      • Min says

        August 26, 2022 at 6:54 pm

        So sorry I took it down in the first place! This one will be h ere forever 😉

        Reply

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    HI!

    I am MJ, a registered dietitian and a mom of 2. I truly hope you’ll enjoy all the recipes and tips that I share on what and how to feed your child!

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