Description
Baked Broccoli Cheese Balls bring crispy, cheesy goodness straight from your kitchen to the plate. Packed with wholesome broccoli and melty cheese, these little bites make snack time deliciously satisfying.
Ingredients
Scale
Primary Ingredients:
- 2 cups broccoli florets
- 1 cup shredded cheese
- 1 egg
Binding Ingredients:
- ½ cup breadcrumbs
- ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
Seasoning Ingredients:
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to a precise 400°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper for easy cleanup.
- Steam 2 cups of broccoli florets until tender, then chop them into small, bite-sized pieces.
- In a large mixing bowl, thoroughly combine the chopped broccoli with 1 cup shredded cheese, ½ cup breadcrumbs, and ¼ cup grated Parmesan.
- Crack 1 egg into the mixture and sprinkle in 1 teaspoon garlic powder, ½ teaspoon salt, and ¼ teaspoon black pepper.
- Use your hands to blend all ingredients until they stick together and form a consistent texture.
- Roll the mixture into compact 1-inch balls, ensuring they’re tightly packed so they hold their shape.
- Arrange the balls on the prepared baking sheet, spacing them about 1 inch apart to allow even browning.
- Slide the baking sheet into the preheated oven and bake for exactly 22 minutes, watching for a golden-brown exterior.
- Remove the baking sheet and let the broccoli cheese balls rest for 5 minutes to set their crispy exterior.
- Transfer to a serving plate and enjoy while they’re warm and slightly crisp.
Notes
- Broccoli should be finely chopped and well-drained to prevent soggy balls that won’t hold their shape.
- Experiment with different cheese varieties like cheddar or mozzarella to customize the flavor profile.
- For a gluten-free version, swap regular breadcrumbs with almond flour or gluten-free breadcrumbs.
- Serve these as a fun appetizer or side dish, and store leftovers in the refrigerator for up to 3 days, reheating in the oven to maintain crispness.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20-25 minutes
- Category: Baked
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 150 kcal
- Sugar: 1 g
- Sodium: 300 mg
- Fat: 9 g
- Saturated Fat: 5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3 g
- Trans Fat: 0.2 g
- Carbohydrates: 10 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 8 g
- Cholesterol: 70 mg