Description
Baked Broccoli Cheese Balls bring cheesy goodness straight from your kitchen to the table in mere minutes. Crispy, golden, and packed with veggie nutrition, these little spheres of comfort make snacking both delicious and smart.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 2 cup broccoli florets
- 1 ½ cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
- 1 cup breadcrumbs
Binding Ingredients:
- 2 large eggs
- ⅓ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
Seasonings:
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- Salt and pepper
- Cooking spray
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 400°F and coat a baking sheet with cooking spray or parchment paper to prevent sticking.
- Steam 2 cups broccoli florets for 3-4 minutes until tender-crisp, then chop finely into small rice-like pieces.
- Grab a large mixing bowl and combine the chopped broccoli, 1 cup breadcrumbs, 1 ½ cups cheddar cheese, ⅓ cup Parmesan, 2 beaten eggs, 2 tablespoons flour, ½ teaspoon garlic powder, ½ teaspoon onion powder, and salt and pepper.
- Mix the ingredients thoroughly until they form a cohesive blend that holds together when shaped.
- Shape the mixture into 1-inch round balls using your hands, ensuring each ball is compact and uniform.
- Arrange the balls on the prepared baking sheet, spacing them about 1 inch apart to allow even heat circulation.
- Bake at 400°F for 20-25 minutes, watching for a golden-brown exterior that signals perfect crispness.
- Optional: Broil for 1-2 minutes to enhance the golden color and create a slightly crunchy surface.
- Remove from the oven and let the cheese balls rest for 3-5 minutes to set and cool slightly before serving.
Notes
- Steam broccoli just until tender-crisp to keep a bright green color and prevent mushiness in your cheese balls.
- Shred cheese fresh from the block for better melting and a smoother texture throughout the mixture.
- Use a small cookie scoop or wet hands to shape uniform balls that cook evenly and look professional.
- For gluten-free options, swap regular breadcrumbs with almond flour or gluten-free breadcrumbs and confirm all other ingredients are certified gluten-free.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 22-27 minutes
- Category: Baked
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 230 kcal
- Sugar: 1 g
- Sodium: 340 mg
- Fat: 15 g
- Saturated Fat: 8 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 12 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 14 g
- Cholesterol: 90 mg