Baked Broccoli and Cheese Balls (Printable)
Golden, crispy broccoli cheddar bites perfect for appetizers
# What You'll Need:
→ Vegetables
01 - 2 cups broccoli florets (about 1 medium head), steamed and finely chopped
02 - 1 small onion, finely diced
→ Dairy
03 - 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
04 - 1/3 cup grated Parmesan cheese
→ Binders
05 - 2 large eggs
06 - 1/2 cup breadcrumbs
→ Seasonings
07 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
08 - 1/2 teaspoon salt
09 - 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
10 - 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
11 - 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
→ To Finish
12 - Olive oil spray
# How to Make It:
01 - Preheat the oven to 400°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and lightly spray with olive oil.
02 - Steam the broccoli florets until just tender, about 5 minutes. Drain well and finely chop.
03 - In a large mixing bowl, combine the chopped broccoli, onion, cheddar cheese, Parmesan, eggs, and breadcrumbs.
04 - Add garlic, salt, pepper, oregano, and red pepper flakes. Mix until well combined and mixture holds together.
05 - Scoop about 1 heaping tablespoon of mixture and shape into a ball. Place on the prepared baking sheet. Repeat with remaining mixture.
06 - Lightly spray the tops of the balls with olive oil.
07 - Bake for 22-25 minutes, or until golden brown and crisp on the outside.
08 - Let cool for 5 minutes before serving. Serve with your favorite dipping sauce.
# Expert Hacks:
01 -
- They satisfy that fried food craving without the mess of hot oil on your stove
- Perfect for meal prep and they reheat beautifully for quick lunches
- Even vegetable skeptics tend to gobble these up without complaint
02 -
- Squeeze excess water from your steamed broccoli or the balls might fall apart during baking
- The mixture should hold together when you squeeze it in your hand before shaping
- Do not skip the olive oil spray on top or you will miss that satisfying crunch
03 -
- Use a cookie scoop for uniform sized balls that cook evenly
- Place a small cube of extra cheese in the center for a surprise gooey middle