Spinach Nugget Toddler Finger Food

Ingredients:

• 1/4 cup almonds
• 2 large handfuls fresh baby spinach
• 1 1/2 cups whole wheat breadcrumbs, divided
• 2 eggs
• 1/4 cup flaxseed meal
• 1 teaspoon dried basil
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1/4 cup shredded cheese (I used cheddar, but any kind will be fine)

Method:

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.  Lightly grease a cookie sheet.
2. Put the almonds in a food processor and process until they are a fine crumb (you could probably use almond meal instead if you prefer).
3. Add the spinach and pulse until the spinach is finely chopped and you have a green crumb-like mixture.  Set aside.  (If you don’t have a food processor, you can do the chopping by hand.  Just chop everything very finely.
4. Whisk the two eggs in a medium bowl.  Add the spinach-almond mixture, 1/2 cup of the breadcrumbs, flaxseed, basil, oregano, and cheese and mix well.
5. Place the remaining cup of breadcrumbs in a small bowl.  Using your hands, form a small portion of the spinach mixture into a ball and roll it in the breadcrumbs until it is fully covered.  Press it into a flat nugget shape and place it on the baking sheet.  Repeat until you use all of the mixture.
6. Bake in the preheated oven 18-25 minutes*, turning the nuggets over half way through the baking time (optional.  I forgot the second batch I made and they were fine…)
7. Allow to cool and serve. 

recipe and image: happyhealthymama