This easy & super cheesy Air Fryer Spinach Dip can be made with or without artichokes. It is loaded with fresh spinach, garlic, and shallot. Serve this for game day or holiday gatherings as an appetizer that everyone will love.
It doesn’t get better than a cheesy dip, like my keto Buffalo Chicken Dip, Baked Feta Dip with Tomatoes, or Mozzarella Queso.
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Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Creamy - The combination of cream cheese and heavy cream make this dip super creamy. This recipe is made without mayo or sour cream.
- Cheesy - This dip has two kinds of cheese, mozzarella and parmesan. The mozzarella adds saltiness and stringiness, while the parmesan adds flavor. The combination is perfect.
- Heavy on the spinach - Fresh spinach tastes much better in spinach dip compared to frozen. This recipe calls for 9 ounces of fresh spinach which might seem like a lot, but as you will see it cooks down to nothing.
- Flavorful - The fresh garlic (compared to garlic powder) and shallot really take the flavor up a notch.
- Customizable - I prefer this recipe without artichokes, but you can definitely add them in to make a classic spinach artichoke dip.
- Easy - Since this is an air fryer recipe, I did not want to use the stove to steam the spinach. The spinach is microwaved in the same bowl that the dip is mixed together in to keep things simple and make cleanup super easy.
- Great appetizer for game day or the holidays - Serve this as a snack during football season or at Thanksgiving & Christmas gatherings. It is a crowd pleaser for any occasion!
Ingredients & Substitutions
- Fresh Spinach: Fresh spinach has a much better flavor than frozen. I highly recommend using it. I have not tested this recipe with frozen, but 9 ounces of fresh spinach is equal to about 5-6 ounces of frozen. The frozen spinach should still be heated in the microwave and the excess water needs to be drained.
- Kosher Salt: All of my recipes are tested with Morton kosher salt unless noted otherwise. It is the best salt for everyday cooking because of its size and flavor. If using table salt, the amount should be reduced. I highly recommend picking up some kosher next time you are at the store!
- Shallot: Substitute fresh shallot or onion for ½ teaspoon of onion powder.
Complete list of ingredients and amounts is located on the recipe card below.
How to Make Air Fryer Spinach Dip
Quick Overview
- Wilt the spinach.
- Make the topping.
- Combine all of the ingredients.
- Air fry covered & uncovered.
Step by Step Instructions
The spinach should reduce even more after you remove the water.
Step 1: Place the spinach in a large microwave safe bowl. Pour 1 Tablespoon of water on top. Cover with a wet paper towel.
Step 2: Microwave in 30 second intervals, stirring occasionally, until the spinach has cooked completely. This will take 3-4 minutes.
Step 3: Use a dry paper towel to squeeze the excess water out of the cooked spinach.
Step 4: Repeat until most of the water has been removed. See photos above.
Step 5: Add the cream cheese and mash with a spatula or back of a spoon until completely combined.
Step 6: Stir in the cream, shallot, garlic, salt, and pepper.
Be sure to cover the dip or it will burn.
Step 7: Fold in the mozzarella cheese and about ⅓ cup of the parmesan (save about 2 Tablespoons for the topping).
Step 8: Transfer the mixture to a lightly greased 7 inch oven safe dish or air fryer cake barrel. Cover tightly with foil.
Step 9: Air fry at 400 degrees for 21-23 minutes or until bubbling and heated through.
Step 10: While the dip cooks, combine the panko and remaining parmesan in a small bowl.
Step 11: Uncover the dip and sprinkle the topping on.
Step 12: Air fry at 400 degrees for another 2-3 minutes or until golden.
Recipe Serving Suggestions
Every dip needs some chips! Here are some ideas for what to serve with this spinach cheese dip:
- Tortilla or potato chips
- Raw celery or carrot stick
- Crostini
- Crackers
- Warm sliced Rustic Bread
Expert Tips & Variations
- Use fresh spinach. This has a much better flavor than frozen.
- Use freshly grated cheese. Buy blocks of cheese and shred them fresh. The pre-shredded cheese is tossed in starch to prevent it from caking up in the bag. This also prevents it from melting as well.
- Don’t skip the topping. The panko adds a bit of texture which is delicious.
- Serve hot. Since the dip is made primarily of cheese, it will congeal as it cools. Be sure to serve it hot or microwave it in 30 second intervals if it cools.
- Add some spice. Sprinkle in some red pepper flakes or cayenne.
Recipe FAQs
Cold or warm spinach dip usually consists of spinach, artichokes, cream cheese, shredded cheese, mayo, and sour cream. Some recipes use all of those ingredients and some may use only 2-3.
My favorite chip for spinach dip is a tortilla chip. They have a mild salty flavor that lets the dip shine.
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Air Fryer Spinach Dip
Equipment:
Ingredients:
- 9 ounces fresh spinach*
- 2 ounces full fat cream cheese (brick-style)
- ⅓ cup heavy cream
- 1 Tablespoon grated shallot or onion*
- 2-3 cloves garlic
- ½ teaspoon Morton kosher salt*
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- 4 ounces (1 cup) mozzarella, shredded
- 1.5 ounces (½ cup) parmigiano reggiano, finely shredded, divided
- 2 Tablespoons panko bread crumbs, optional for topping
- ¼ cup chopped artichoke hearts, optional
Instructions:
- Place the spinach in a large microwave safe bowl. Pour 1 Tablespoon of water on top. Cover with a wet paper towel.
- Microwave in 30 second intervals, stirring occasionally, until the spinach has cooked completely. This will take 3-4 minutes.
- Use a dry paper towel to squeeze the excess water out of the cooked spinach.
- Repeat until most of the water has been removed. See photos above.
- Add the cream cheese and mash with a spatula or back of a spoon until completely combined.
- Stir in the cream, shallot, garlic, salt, and pepper.
- Fold in the mozzarella cheese and about ⅓ cup of the parmesan (save about 2 Tablespoons for the topping).
- Transfer the mixture to a lightly greased 7 inch oven safe dish or air fryer cake barrel. Cover tightly with foil.
- Air fry at 400 degrees for 21-23 minutes or until bubbling and heated through.
- While the dip cooks, combine the panko and remaining parmesan in a small bowl.
- Uncover the dip and sprinkle the topping on.
- Air fry at 400 degrees for another 2-3 minutes or until golden.
Notes:
- Fresh Spinach: Fresh spinach has a much better flavor than frozen. I highly recommend using it. I have not tested this recipe with frozen, but 9 ounces of fresh spinach is equal to about 5-6 ounces of frozen. The frozen spinach should still be heated in the microwave and the excess water needs to be drained.
- Kosher Salt: All of my recipes are tested with Morton kosher salt unless noted otherwise. It is the best salt for everyday cooking because of its size and flavor. If using table salt, the amount should be reduced. I highly recommend picking up some kosher next time you are at the store!
- Shallot: Substitute fresh shallot or onion for ½ teaspoon of onion powder.
- Use fresh spinach. This has a much better flavor than frozen.
- Use freshly grated cheese. Buy blocks of cheese and shred them fresh. The pre-shredded cheese is tossed in starch to prevent it from caking up in the bag. This also prevents it from melting as well.
- Don’t skip the topping. The panko adds a bit of texture which is delicious.
- Serve hot. Since the dip is made primarily of cheese, it will congeal as it cools. Be sure to serve it hot or microwave it in 30 second intervals if it cools.
- Add some spice. Sprinkle in some red pepper flakes or cayenne.
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