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5 from 33 votes

Air Fryer Spinach Dip

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.
Prep Time10 minutes
Cook Time20 minutes
Total Time30 minutes
Cuisine: American
Servings: 4 people
Calories: 290kcal
Author: Brianna May

Ingredients

  • 9 ounces fresh spinach*
  • 2 ounces full fat cream cheese (brick-style)
  • 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.

Nutrition

Calories: 290kcal | Carbohydrates: 10g | Protein: 14g | Fat: 22g | Saturated Fat: 13g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 6g | Cholesterol: 66mg | Sodium: 898mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 3g