Description
Baked Broccoli Cheese Balls turn your veggie side into a crispy, golden snack that friends and family will devour in minutes. Packed with cheesy goodness and sneaky nutrition, these bite-sized treats make veggies feel like a total celebration.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 2 cups broccoli florets
- 1 ½ cups shredded cheddar cheese
- 2 eggs
Binding Ingredients:
- 1 cup breadcrumbs
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- ⅓ cup grated Parmesan cheese
Seasoning Ingredients:
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- Salt
- Pepper
Preparation Ingredient:
- Cooking spray
Instructions
- Set your oven to 400°F and spray a baking sheet with cooking spray to prevent sticking.
- Steam 2 cups of broccoli florets for exactly 3-5 minutes until they reach a tender-crisp texture.
- Drain the broccoli and let it cool for 2 minutes to remove excess moisture.
- Combine 2 cups broccoli, 1 cup breadcrumbs, 1 ½ cups cheddar cheese, ⅓ cup Parmesan, 2 eggs, and 2 tbsp flour in a mixing bowl.
- Add ½ tsp garlic powder, ½ tsp onion powder, salt, and pepper to your mixture.
- Mix all ingredients thoroughly until your mixture holds together when pressed.
- Roll the mixture into 1-inch compact balls using your palms, ensuring they are tightly packed.
- Arrange the balls on your prepared baking sheet, spacing them 1 inch apart.
- Bake at 400°F for 20-25 minutes, watching for a golden brown exterior.
- Optional: Broil for an additional 1-2 minutes to create a crispy, slightly charred surface.
- Remove from oven and let the broccoli cheese balls rest for 3 minutes before serving.
Notes
- Steam the broccoli just until tender to keep a bright green color and prevent mushiness in your cheese balls.
- Grate the cheese fresh for the best melting quality and more intense flavor in the mixture.
- Ensure the broccoli is well-drained after steaming to prevent excess moisture from making the balls fall apart.
- When shaping the balls, press the mixture firmly and compactly to help them hold together during baking.
- Prep Time: 10-15 minutes
- Cook Time: 23-27 minutes
- Category: Baked
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 260 kcal
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 400 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 9 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 12 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 14 g
- Cholesterol: 85 mg