Low-carb Pumpkin Spice Latte Cookies (gluten-free)

Who wouldn’t love a low-carb, gluten-free cookie inspired by the most coveted coffee shop drink of autumn – pumpkin spice latte!?  Easy to make, using almond flour and natural sweetener alternatives to keep the carbs down, these pumpkin spice cookies turn out soft, chewy and heavenly-scented every time!

Whip up a batch of these amazing autumn-inspired pumpkin spice cookies in under 30 minutes! Lower carb, gluten-free plus, soft, chew and amazing flavorful -- especially with the coffee glaze!

Ready in under 30 minutes from mixing up to munching down! So, let’s get going!

The first step in these table sugar-free pumpkin cookies is to mix up the dough. With the butter softened, I found it easy enough to mix up by hand – but a mixer is fine too! 

First the butter and sugar substitute are creamed. I used a monk fruit-erythritol granulated baking blend that has a 1:1 sugar replacement equivalency. So, for this matter, you can swap back in any type of sugar that you care for (like coconut sugar or a stevia blend), but be aware that it will change the nutritional value. Also note, the cookies are one the lighter sweet side because the glaze is very sweet – so you might consider adding an additional ¼ cup if you are planning to make the cookies WITHOUT glaze.

Whip up a batch of these amazing autumn-inspired pumpkin spice cookies in under 30 minutes! Lower carb, gluten-free plus, soft, chew and amazing flavorful -- especially with the coffee glaze!
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Next beat in egg. Then pumpkin and vanilla. Finally mix in the dry ingredients including raw almond flour and 1:1 gluten-free baking blend.  Three cups of total flour is used in this low carb pumpkin spice cookie recipe – 2 cups of almond flour and 1 gluten-free flour mix.  The gluten-free flour mix bumps up the carb count a bit, you can also substitute back in all almond flour, but I suggest using a super fine ground almond meal for better consistency that won’t crumble apart after baking. Using all almond meal will also lower the per-cookie net carb count, making it officially a compliant with keto pumpkin cookie.

Whip up a batch of these amazing autumn-inspired pumpkin spice cookies in under 30 minutes! Lower carb, gluten-free plus, soft, chew and amazing flavorful -- especially with the coffee glaze!
Portion dough into approximate 2 Tablespoon balls.

While the gluten-free pumpkin cookies are baking in the oven (on a sheet lined with parchment or silicone baking mat) for 15 minutes, whip up the easy coffee-spiked glaze. It’s a bit of heavy cream, along with espresso powder, vanilla and POWDERED confectioner’s erythritol (or similar powdered product).  Achieving the perfect glaze consistency is the trickiest part of this recipe, so I always hold back just a TINY amount of my cream until I have the powdered sugar substitute, espresso powder and vanilla mixed it. If it’s too thick, I add it back in, plush a few more drops if needed. If it’s too thin, I mix in more confectioner’s sugar substitute until just right. The consistency should not be runny or stiff – somewhere in between!

Whip up a batch of these amazing autumn-inspired pumpkin spice cookies in under 30 minutes! Lower carb, gluten-free plus, soft, chew and amazing flavorful -- especially with the coffee glaze!

Once the cookies have cooled on the pan to “almost” room temperature (about 5 or 10 minutes), I put a dollop of the glaze/frosting on top – the small amount of warmth left on the cookie will help it spread. However, if the low carb pumpkin spice cookies are too hot still, it will run right off. After glazing the pumpkin coffee cookies, let it set up fore 5 minutes before serving or storing.

Whip up a batch of these amazing autumn-inspired pumpkin spice cookies in under 30 minutes! Lower carb, gluten-free plus, soft, chew and amazing flavorful -- especially with the coffee glaze!

Store these gluten-free pumpkin cookies layered between wax paper in an air-tight container. Should stay fresh for up to a week, or also freezes well.

Whip up a batch of these amazing autumn-inspired pumpkin spice cookies in under 30 minutes! Lower carb, gluten-free plus, soft, chew and amazing flavorful -- especially with the coffee glaze!
5 from 3 votes
Whip up a batch of these amazing autumn-inspired pumpkin spice cookies in under 30 minutes! Lower carb, gluten-free plus, soft, chew and amazing flavorful -- especially with the coffee glaze!
Low Carb Pumpkin Spice Latte Cookies (gluten-free)
Prep Time
10 mins
Total Time
25 mins
 

Whip up a batch of these amazing autumn-inspired cookies in under 30 minutes! Lower carb, gluten-free and amazing flavorful — especially with the coffee glaze!

Servings: 20 cookies
Calories: 183 kcal
Ingredients
  • 1/4 cup salted butter
  • 1/3 cup monk fruit–erythritol granulated sweetener (or other 1:1 cup equivalency sweetener0
  • 1/2 cup pumpkin puree
  • 1 large egg
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 2 cups almond flour
  • 1 cup gluten-free baking blend 1:1 cup equivalency or additional almond flour
  • 1 tbsp pumpkin pie spice
  • 1/2 tsp baking powder
For glaze/frosting
  • 1/4 – 1/3 cup powdered confectioner’s monk fruit- erythritol granulated sweetener
  • 1 tablespoon espresso powder
  • 2 tablespoons cup heavy cream
  • 1/4 tsp vanilla extract
Instructions
  1. Preheat the oven to 350 F degrees. Line a large baking sheet with silicone baking sheet or parchment paper.
  2. In large bowl, beat together the butter and sweetener, until creamy
  3. Beat in the pumpkin puree, egg, and vanilla.
  4. Beat in the almond flour, gluten-free flour blend, pumpkin pie spice, and baking powder until a uniform cookie dough forms.
  5. Use a cookie scoop to scoop balls of dough, about 2 tablespoons per cookie. Release onto the lined baking sheet, 2 inches apart.
  6. Use bottom of a glass to flatten cookies to about 1/4 inch thick.
  7. Bake approximately 15, until set and turning lightly golden brown at edges.
  8. Meanwhile, make the glaze/frosting, if using. In a small bowl, whisk together the glaze ingredients, until smooth. If too thin, add additional sweetener, if too thick, add a few drops more of cream – however, will melt some on warm cookies, so you don’t want it to be too thin at beginning.
  9. When the cookies are done, let cook for 5 or so minutes until just slightly warm. Spread a teaspoon of glaze on top of each cookie and let set to completely cool for another 10 minutes.
  10. Store in an air tight container.
Recipe Notes

Air Fryer Montreal Steak Bites with Spicy Tomato Butter and Spinach-Quinoa

Let’s hear it for steak night in the middle of the week, whoot-whoot! My recipe for Air Fryer Montreal Steak Bites with Spicy Tomato Butter and Spinach-Quinoa is ready in 20 minutes or less, delivers tender and juicy morsels of beef, and will have any-old work or school night dinner feeling a little extra special.

Montreal Steak Bites with Spicy Tomato Butter and Spinach-Quinoa Toss. Amazingly easy and delicious! Create quick air-fryer dinner with beef steak bites that turns out tender and just every time -- served with spicy tomato butter sauce and spinach-quinoa toss! A 20 minute meal with great nutrition.

Honestly, learning how to cook steak in an air fryer has been my best life hack lately. Typically, I only grill or pan sear /oven finish steaks and was feeling wary and anxious that air frying beef (especially cut up chunks of good steak) might yield an overdone, dried-out result. BUT NOT TRUE, these air fryer steak bites were succulent and mouthwatering through and through.

First you need to start with a tender cut of beef for best results in the Air Fryer. Tenderloin or filet mignon cut into chunks would be to-die-for, but more affordable cuts like flat iron, top sirloin or strip steak are still very tender, but cost a fraction of the price. I used Flat Iron steaks which rank second in tenderness among common beef cuts, deferring only to tenderloin. And the price difference is often $10 a pound less!

Montreal Steak Bites with Spicy Tomato Butter and Spinach-Quinoa Toss. Amazingly easy and delicious! Create quick air-fryer dinner with beef steak bites that turns out tender and just every time -- served with spicy tomato butter sauce and spinach-quinoa toss! A 20 minute meal with great nutrition.

The simplicity of this beef air fryer recipe is what makes it a winner, it addition the incredible flavor. Bite-sized chunks of steak are drizzled with olive oil and sprinkled with a purchased Montreal seasoning (an iconic spice blend of garlic, coriander, dill, black pepper, red pepper flakes, salt, and pepper). Then it’s just a matter of pre-heating the air fryer to 400F degrees and then cooking steak for about 8 to 10 minutes, no flipping needed!

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Please note that you do not want to overcrowd the air fryer pan, this will hamper circulation and the final result may not be as tasty. Place your choice of cut up tender steak like flat iron steaks in Air Fryer. Don’t pile up, place in a single later and give a little space between each steak bite.   My Air Fryer comfortably holds about ½ pound of steak bites at a time – so I prepare in two batches, which is really no big deal because it will take about 15 minutes to cook the quinoa that I serve with this easy beef dinner. Currently, I’m using the Instant Pot® Duo Crisp which is an ahhhh-mazing kitchen appliance with 11 functions – air-frying, pressure cook, slow cooker, steamer, sauté pan, food warmer, sous vide, roaster, mini oven, broiler, and dehydrator. But, did you know that Instant Pot also makes stand-alone, serious-business air-fryers? Check out the Vortex air fryers (pictured above) that have all the latest, super-crispy technology!

hot quinoa tossed with fresh spinach -- the greens just wilt in for a veggie-boosted side dish.

I start my quinoa at the same time as the air-fryer – it usually takes about 15 minutes to make light and fluffy quinoa on the stove top (and even less just to defrost and reheat, if I’ve have quinoa meal prepped in the freezer). Once the quinoa is finished, simple stir in a cup or so of chopped fresh spinach while it’s hot – it will automatically wilt down.

Montreal Steak Bites with Spicy Tomato Butter and Spinach-Quinoa Toss. Amazingly easy and delicious! Create quick air-fryer dinner with beef steak bites that turns out tender and just every time -- served with spicy tomato butter sauce and spinach-quinoa toss! A 20 minute meal with great nutrition.

Now, all that is left is making the spicy tomato butter – a 1 minute deal! Melt butter and stir in tomato pesto (already prepared spicy or sweeter sun-dried tomato with a little dried red pepper to taste).  

To serve, place Montreal steak bites on bed of spinach quinoa and drizzle with the tomato butter! Or, to serve as a crowd-pleasing air fryer beef appetizer, simply skip the quinoa and set out the steak bites with spicy tomato butter along with toothpicks for dipping.

A nicely portioned, balanced and nourishing meal to fuel an active lifestyle with 367 calories, 18g fat, 16g net cart, and 29g protein for one-fourth of the recipe yield (but I may have eaten more, just sayin’ – lol)

Note: This post contains affiliate links. I earn a small commission from purchases made, but the price to you remains the same. Thank you for supporting The Fit Fork when you shop!

5 from 3 votes
Montreal Steak Bites with Spicy Tomato Butter and Spinach-Quinoa Toss. Amazingly easy and delicious! Create quick air-fryer dinner with beef steak bites that turns out tender and just every time -- served with spicy tomato butter sauce and spinach-quinoa toss! A 20 minute meal with great nutrition.
Air Fryer Montreal Steak Bites with Spicy Tomato Butter and Spinach-Quinoa
Cook Time
16 mins
Total Time
20 mins
 

Amazingly easy and delicious! Create quick air-fryer dinner with beef steak bites that turns out tender and just every time — served with spicy tomato butter sauce and spinach-quinoa toss!

Course: dinner, dinner, entree
Keyword: air fryer, beef, flat iron, sirloin, steak
Servings: 4 servings
Calories: 367 kcal
Ingredients
  • 2/3 cup quinoa, rinsed to yield 2 cups cooked
  • 1 1/3 cup water
  • 1 lb. beef flat iron steaks or top sirloin or other tender cut
  • 2 tsp. olive oil
  • 2 tsp. Montreal seasoning
  • 1 cup chopped fresh spinach
  • 3 tbsp butter
  • 1 tbsp tomato pesto
  • 1/4 tsp dried red pepper flaker, or more to taste
Instructions
  1. Bring water to boil, add quinoa. Reduce to simmer, add lid, cook for 15 minutes, or until all water absorbed. When done, stir in chopped spinach, set aside, keeping lid on pot to stay warm.
  2. Meanwhile, after starting quinoa bring air fryer up to 400F heat.
  3. Cut steaks into 1 ½” chunks, place in bowl, drizzle with olive oil and sprinkle with Montreal seasoning. Stir until evenly coated.
  4. Place steak bites into hot tray of Air Fryer, if your air fryer is small, don not overcrowd, simply prepare in two batches.
  5. Air fry for 8 to 10 minutes and remove tray from heat.

  6. While beef cooking, prepare spicy tomato butter by stirring pesto and red pepper flakes into melted butter.
  7. Portion plates with spinach quinoa and beef bites, drizzle with spicy tomato butter.
Recipe Notes

Asian Beef Filet Mignon with Gochujang Butter (Good Chop Meat & Seafood Box Review)

Asian Filet Mignon with Gochujang Butter makes a delicious, decadent and yet, dare I say, fast-and-easy steak night dinner ready in just 20 minutes.

Asian Beef Filet Mignon with Gochugang Compound Butter

For this Gochujang steak, I’ve used grass-fed filet mignon from Good Chop, a meat a seafood subscription service (keep reading on to get the recipe and get my Good Chop review).

Beef, chicken, pork and seafood from Good Chop, a high-quality subscription box delivering all your favorite proteins to your doorstep.
Don’t miss my Good Chop review and savings details at the bottom of post!

Perfect for date night or every night, this Asian steak recipe starts with a simple wet rub of soy sauce, ginger and garlic that is then pan seared and finished in the oven. Preparing a filet mignon in the skillet and then oven finishing is one of my favorite methods, it creates such a delicious crust.

This elegant but very easy steak dinner is sure to make any date night or even week night more memorable. Asian Filet Mignon with Spicy Sweet Gochujang Butter. Beef is rubbed ginger, garlic and soy sauce before pan searing and finishing in oven. The decadent compound butter, melts atop the meat at serving to create a luxurious sauce.
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Or, check out the entire Pinterest Story for more details.

Beef tenderloin and filet mignon (the coveted steak cut from the tenderest tail end of the loin) are favorite cuts of mine because the texture is “melt in your mouth” tender, and this inherent tenderness means that there is no need for a texture-improving marinade that can often take hours. Ain’t nobody got time for that! Also, despite being so succulent, filet mignon is an incredible lean cut – the 100% grass-fed filets from Good Chop are generous-sized and have only 12g fat per 6-ounce serving with a whopping 36g protein.

Adding flavor to beef filet mignon steaks
Filet mignon is so tender, it doesn’t need a marinade – but a quick wet rub of garlic, ginger and soy sauce add extra flavor!

Instead, filet mignon recipes, despite their elegance, are almost always simple and easy – only a light seasoning (even just salt and pepper) or a simple wet rub (like the one I used) can make a filet mignon steak recipe even MORE next level.  

For even more flavor to complement the beef filets, I made a compound butter with Gochujang and lightly sweetened it with honey. Gochujang paste is fundamental to Korean cooking and is made from red chile pepper flakes, glutinous rice, fermented soybeans, and salt. The red past is spicy-sweet and bumps up the umami taste in beef recipes. After mixing up the ingredients, stick in the freezer to get the Gochujang compound butter to set up fast – then serve atop the hot filet mignon and watch it slowly melt into a sauce that will knock your socks off without being too spicy. I also love how the lightly sweet spicy compound butter also spreads over the veggies on my plate.

Gochujang Compund Butter - thefitfork.com
Compound butter us an easy way to turn simple steaks into an upscale dining experience.

In addition to Korean steak, any leftover Gochujang butter can be added as a flavor-enhancer for simple steamed vegetables, spread on bread and toasted, dolloped on hot noodles or rice – you get the idea, it’s delicious!  

So, let me give you my Good Chop, review! This subscription service brings you quality proteins exclusively from American family farms and fisheries. It’s a convenient and surprisingly cost-effective way to source my protein – I definitely appreciate not having to drive all over town to source top-quality meats and seafood. There are never any antibiotics or hormones in Good Chop products and premium options like USDA Prime beef and 100% grass-fed beef are also available.

Beef, chicken, pork and seafood from Good Chop, a high-quality subscription box delivering all your favorite proteins to your doorstep.

Of course, being a beef-loving girl, I made a beeline for the filet mignon steaks! But, variety in protein choices is best for a balanced diet and the cool thing about a Good Chop subscription box is that it can also be customized to include other protein options (including pork, chicken and seafood) that are just as top-quality as the beef featured here today. Visit Good Chop today to learn more about their sourcing specifications and what beef, chicken, pork, and seafood options are available for your own custom meat subscription box.

Beef, chicken, pork and seafood from Good Chop, a high-quality subscription box delivering all your favorite proteins to your doorstep.

Seriously, the convenience of having quality meat and seafood shipped to your house is unmatched – especially in this day and age where many of us are minimizing so much of our in-person shopping due to busy schedules and/or wanting to minimize contact. Boxes are delivered every four weeks, and you can pick a plan that is best for you – either 6 menu items (up to 36 portions) or 12 menu items (up to 72 portions) per delivery. Good Chop delivers pretty much everywhere in the lower 48 US states. They email you tracking links to alert you when delivery is expected, so you don’t have to worry about it sitting out on your porch all day. That being said, my meat subscription box was delivered in 100-degree temperatures, sat on my porch for two hours, and upon opening the dry ice had kept everything frozen solid, no signs of thawing at all. Of course, they have a money-back, satisfaction-guaranteed policy and you can cancel at any time. Also, love the mindful shipping materials – it’s all fully curbside recyclable, even the insulated liners made from plant-based components.

Disclaimer: This post is sponsored by Good Chop and contains affiliate links, however all comments, opinions and enthusiasm remain my own. I earn a small commission from referred subscriptions, but the price to you remains the same. Proceeds are used to offset operating costs for The Fit Fork, thank you for your support.

5 from 2 votes
This elegant but very easy steak dinner is sure to make any date night or even week night more memorable. And, only 20 minutes prep to plate. Asian Filet Mignon with Spicy Sweet Gochujang Butter. Beef is rubbed ginger, garlic and soy sauce before pan searing and finishing in oven. The decadent compound butter, melts atop the meat at serving to create a luxurious sauce that adds just the right amount of heat.
Asian Beef Filet Mignon with Gochujang Butter
Prep Time
5 mins
Cook Time
15 mins
Total Time
20 mins
 
Course: dinner, entree
Cuisine: Asian, fusion, korean
Keyword: beef, compound butter, filet, gochujang, steak
Servings: 2 servings
Ingredients
  • For steaks:
  • 2 beef filet mignon steaks cut 1-3/4 to 2 inches thick (about 12 to 14-ounces total)
  • 1 tablespoon reduced-sodium soy sauce divided
  • 1 teaspoon minced ginger divided
  • 1 teaspoon minced garlic
  • 1 to 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • For Gochujang compound butter:
  • 1/2 stick 2-ounces butter, room temperature
  • 1 tablespoons gochujang paste find on Asian condiment aisle
  • 1 teaspoon minced garlic
  • 1 teaspoon sesame oil
  • 1 teaspoon fresh lemon juice
  • 1 teaspoon honey
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
  • Parchment or wax paper for storing optional
Instructions
  1. Ahead of time or at the start of preparing steaks, make Gochujang compound butter by simply mixing together softened butter, Gochujang past, garlic, sesame oil, lemon juice honey and black pepper until combined. May leave in bowl or wrap up in Parchment paper, twisting off ends. Stick in freezer while steaks cook to firm up.
  2. Preheat oven to 400°F.
  3. Brush beef filets with soy sauce. Press minced ginger and garlic evenly onto beef, set aside.
  4. Heat ovenproof skillet (preferably cast iron) to medium-high on stove top until very hot, add olive oil.
  5. Place filets in skillet and sear for approximately two minutes per side, until a caramelized crust has formed and they release from the skillet without sticking.
  6. Place skillet into preheated oven.
  7. Continue to cook in 400°F oven for approximately 10 to 15 more minutes (total time will vary based on thickness of steaks and desired level of doneness)* See recipe notes
  8. Remove steaks from oven and allow to rest for 10 minutes before slicing.
  9. While steaks are still warm (but not hot, hot), top with a slice or smear of Gochujang butter. It will melt to make a decadent sauce.
  10. Store remaining butter, covered, in refrigerator for up to a week. It’s great on rice, noodles, toast, and steamed vegetables.
Recipe Notes

Medium rare: 130-135° (remove from heat at 125° )
Medium: 135-145° (remove from heat at 130° )
Medium well: 145-155°. (remove from heat at 140° )

Note: The reason you take steaks off the heat BEFORE the desired finish temperature is because they will continue to cook (with temperature rising 7° on average) as they rest for 10 minutes before cutting.

No-Bake Chocolate Cashew Oat Bars (Gluten-free, Lower-carb)

Nom, nom, No-bake Chocolate Cashew Oat Bars! In the summer, I’m always looking for a chocolate treat that doesn’t require me to turn on the oven and won’t melt in my hot hands. Chocolate lovers and cashew lovers alike will love to chill out with these easy-make homemade granola bars that are a simple as mixing, mashing into a loaf pan and the sticking in the fridge for a few minutes before cutting.

Many similar cashew chocolate oat bar recipes use ingredients such as honey, maple syrup or pureed dates to sweeten and bind them – absolutely nothing wrong with that, those are smart options to sugar. However, in an effort to moderate the carbohydrates (but still keep a few from the oats for energy), I use various substitutes like a sugar-free honey alternative and monk fruit – this help me keep the carbs to just 14g per bar. Low carb treats not your thing? Then feel free to swap back in the traditional sugar ingredients – the recipe will turn out just as well, just the macros will be different.

I also add unflavored collagen powder to my bowl, to add a boost of protein and to provide extra nourishment for overall wellness (and my arthritic joints). I’ve used the Great Lakes Wellness brand for several years and have been really happy with the results – you should check them out and use THEFITFORK10OFF if you need a discount

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 Each batch of these No-bake Chocolate Cashew Oat Bars makes 12 bars and for 162 calories each, offers about 7.5g protein per bar with 10g fat and only 14g carbs.  These are also gluten-free chocolate cashew oat bars, if that is a concern.

Disclaimer: this post contains affiliate links. I receive a small commission from sales, however price to you remains the same.

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5 from 3 votes
No-bake Chocolate Cashew Oat Bars
Prep Time
5 mins
freezer to chill
15 mins
Total Time
20 mins
 

A delicious, nourishing snack! These NO-BAKE bars come together quickly to satisfy hunger pains! Made with sugar alternatives to moderate carbs. Gluten free.

Course: cookie, Dessert, Snack
Keyword: cashew, chocolate, collagen, low carb, lower carb, snack
Servings: 12 bars
Calories: 162 kcal
Ingredients
  • 1/3 cup coconut oil
  • 1/3 cup sugar-free honey substitute may use regular honey
  • 1 cup oat flour
  • 1 cup old fashioned rolled oats
  • 3 tbsp cocoa powder
  • 4 tbsp unflavored collagen may use another protein powder
  • ½ cup chopped cashews
  • 3 tbsp granulated monk fruit sweetener may use a different sugar substitute
  • ½ tsp salt
Instructions
  1. In a large mixing bowl, melted coconut oil and honey alternative. In another bowl, toss together oat flour, rolled oats, cocoa powder, collagen powder, sugar alternative, chopped cashews and salt. Pour dry ingredients into wet ingredients, stir together with spatula. Mixture should look like cookie dough. Press mixture into 9×5”-ish loaf pan and use clean hands to smash down and flatten smooth on top. Place pan in the freezer for 30 minutes to firm up before slicing into 12 bars. Store in fridge.
Recipe Notes

Salsa Verde Spinach & Corn Rice Poppers |Appetizer

This post sponsored by Sam’s Fresh Salsa, however all comments, content and enthusiasm remain my own!

I could make a meal out of appetizers, couldn’t you?! Especially munching on these Salsa Verde Spinach & Corn Rice Poppers – they are super satisfying and the perfect prelude to a summery southwestern meal or hearty snack to pair with happy hour drinks on the patio.

Delicious baked rice balls loaded with cheese and veggies are perfect for dunking in mild salsa verde! The secret to maximum flavor is also using the salsa as part of the cooking liquid in the rice! Surprising low cal and lower carb -- 56 calories and 6g carbs per piece. An appetizer and snack that makes everyone happy!

These little two-bite nibbles are basically rice balls loaded with veggies and cheese (win-win), with even more winning from the secret ingredient – Sam’s Fresh Salsa Verde.

Delicious baked rice balls loaded with cheese and veggies are perfect for dunking in mild salsa verde! The secret to maximum flavor is also using the salsa as part of the cooking liquid in the rice! Surprising low cal and lower carb -- 56 calories and 6g carbs per piece. An appetizer and snack that makes everyone happy! For more easy recipes and inspo to fuel an active lifestyle, visit thefitfork.com
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Not only are the spinach and corn poppers paired with Sam’s Fresh Salsa Verde for dipping, the foundational ingredient – rice – is prepped using Salsa Verde as part of the cooking liquid! It’s a flavor hack you’ll want to replicate time and time again, not just with these rice balls, but any night you are making a rice side dish! Rice becomes tender and ready for consumption as it absorbs boiling liquid. Water is standard (and oh-so-boring), but rice prepared in salsa as the cooking liquid is just simply amazing and so easy (swap up to half the water for salsa) – there’s no need to add garlic, spices and this and that – all those flavor boosts are already in the salsa!

Rice hack! The secret to maximum flavor is also using the salsa as part of the cooking liquid in the rice!
Flavor boost! Sam’s Fresh Salsa Verde is used as part of the cooking liquid for the rice!

After the “next level” salsa verde rice has been prepped, it’s just a matter of quickly sautéing spinach and corn and mixing together with the rice along with a mixture of queso fresco and mozzarella for double cheesy goodness!  I use a silicone cookie scoop (or spoon) to made generous tablespoon-sized balls of the mixture and then bake for 30 minutes!

corn and spinach for rice poppers -- veggies always a great addition to any appetizer.
Get some veggie goodness in this delicious appetizer recipe!

By the way, as decadent as this rice appetizer sounds, loaded with rice and cheese, each popper is very reasonable – each with 56 calories, 2.2g fat, 6.3g net carb, and 2.6g protein.

Delicious baked rice balls loaded with cheese and veggies are perfect for dunking in mild salsa verde! The secret to maximum flavor is also using the salsa as part of the cooking liquid in the rice! Surprising low cal and lower carb -- 56 calories and 6g carbs per piece. An appetizer and snack that makes everyone happy!
We piled up our poppers and Sam’s salsa in taco boats to take on the patio!

Of course, these rice ball poppers are best served with a side of this salsa verde for dunking. The fresh green salsa has that tangy, limey taste that pairs so well with the tomatillos and lots of garlic – yum! I really appreciate these new salsas from Sam’s Fresh Salsas, they are completely farm fresh with a clean label – no preservatives, nothing artificial. In addition to the Salsa Verde, there is a Cantina Medium Salsa and Watermelon Jicama Salsa. you can purchase Sam’s Fresh Salsa at: ShopRite, Acme, and Safeway or ask your store to stock it!

Sam's Fresh Salsa Verde perfect for all your southwestern-inspired recipes
I love Salsa Verde because it’s tangy and loaded with garlic and mild tomatillos — not too spicy!

You can also learn more about Sam’s Fresh Salsa at SamsSalsa.com on Facebook and Instagram!

Salsa Verde Spinach & Corn Rice Poppers
Prep Time
10 mins
Cook Time
50 mins
rice cooling
10 mins
Total Time
1 hr
 

Delicious baked rice balls loaded with cheese and veggies are perfect for dunking in mild salsa verde! The secret to maximum flavor is also using the salsa as part of the cooking liquid in the rice! Surprising low cal and lower carb — 56 calories and 6g carbs per piece. An appetizer and snack that makes everyone happy!

Course: Appetizer, Snack
Cuisine: Southwestern
Keyword: corn, mexican food, nibbles, rice, salsa, spinach
Servings: 24 balls
Calories: 56 kcal
Ingredients
  • 2/3 cup uncooked white or brown rice
  • 1 cup water
  • 2/3 cup verde salsa highly suggest Sam’s Fresh Salsa
  • 2 teaspoons olive oil
  • 1 cup frozen corn kernels thawed
  • 1 1/2 cups chopped fresh spinach
  • ¾ cup shredded mozzarella cheese
  • ½ cup crumbled queso fresco
  • 2 large eggs whisked
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon ground black pepper
Instructions
  1. Add rice, water and salsa to medium pot and bring to boil. Once boiling, reduce to simmer and add lid. Cook rice according to time on package instructions, or until liquid has been absorbed. Remove lid and set aside to cool to room temperature. To speed process, you can pour rice out on baking sheet and stick in refrigerator for 15 minutes.
  2. Preheat oven to 350F when rice almost done cooling.
  3. Meanwhile, add olive oil to skillet and sauté spinach and corn for approximately 3 minutes until warmed and wilted. Remove from heat.
  4. Add cooled rice to large bowl along with spinach-corn mixture. Stir together. Next stir in egg and cheeses and season with salt and pepper.
  5. Line baking sheet with parchment paper or silicone baking sheet.
  6. Use a tablespoon (I found a little cookie scooper works well) to create approximate generous 1 tablespoon-sized balls. Set balls on baking sheet.
  7. Bake for about 30 minutes, or until cheese bubbling and turning lightly golden brown on tops.
  8. Remove from oven and serve warm with additional salsa verde.
Recipe Notes