Craving a ridiculously delicious and surprisingly simple snack? Get ready to transform ordinary broccoli into irresistible baked cheese balls, bursting with flavor and cheesy goodness.
Prepare for a recipe that's easier than you think, promising golden perfection with every bite!
Ingredients
Okay, so for the baked broccoli cheese balls, here's what you're gonna need! First, you'll need about 2 cups of cooked and drained broccoli. I mean, cram as much as you can!
Next, grab 1 cup of Panko breadcrumbs—'cause we need that golden, crispy goodness. To achieve a similar texture, frying the broccoli cheese balls like golden broccoli fritters could also work. And don't forget 2 eggs! Gotta bind it all together, right?
For cheese, ¾ cup of your fave—Cheddar, Colby, or even good old Tasty cheese works wonders.
Now, for the flavor, get 2 finely sliced shallots or scallions, plus 2 minced garlic cloves. A quarter teaspoon of salt and some pepper to taste will make it perfect for flavor!
For the sauce, you'll need 2/3 cup of plain yogurt, zest of ½ lemon and a tablespoon of lemon juice. You'll need ½ a garlic clove, minced, and 2 teaspoons of extra virgin olive oil! Adjust so it's tasty!
Preparation Instructions
Now that we've gathered all our ingredients, I can take you through how to actually make these cheesy broccoli bites! First, preheat your oven to 200C/390F – every oven type works. Then, line a tray with baking paper — this stops things from sticking!
Next, grab a bowl and toss in all the ingredients – except the olive oil spray for now. A key element in this recipe is making sure you combine the cheddar cheese correctly for the cheesy flavor. Mix it all up, mashing the broccoli as if it were playdough… but, y'know, edible! Now, scoop a heaping tablespoon of the mixture out.
Firmly press it, then flick it into your hand. Roll it into a ball and place it on the tray. Keep going until you have about 15-18 balls. Finally, give 'em a spritz with the olive oil spray.
Bake for 25 minutes, or until they're golden and slightly crisp. You did it!
Serving Suggestions
Once your broccoli cheese balls are baked to golden perfection, it's time for the best part—serving them up, and I've got some genius ideas for you! I'm thinking you can totally make these the star of the show!
Think about serving these cheesy delights as a main course with a side of lemon rice pilaf and sautéed kale – it's a surprisingly delicious combo, trust me. You can mix it up; broccoli cheese balls with a side salad makes a light, tasty lunch.
They're also fantastic as appetizers. You know, pop 'em on a platter at your next party with some dipping sauces—ketchup! And oh yeah, don't forget that garlic lemon yogurt sauce I made! Honestly, these things are so versatile; I am *so* excited to share them with you!
Recipe Notes
Let's talk recipe notes to make sure you nail these broccoli cheese balls every time! You can use fresh or frozen broccoli – about 1 giant or 2 medium heads if it's fresh. Cook it until it's nice and soft so it's easy to mash!
Want to prep ahead? You can make these balls, then refrigerate them until you're ready to bake. Don't freeze them before baking, though!
For storing, cool them completely after cooking. Then, pop 'em in an airtight container. Reheat in the microwave for a quick bite, or warm them in the oven. They freeze well after cooking, too. Thaw and bake at 350°F for about 5 minutes!
If you want to stay gluten-free, use ¾ cup almond meal instead of breadcrumbs. Easy peasy!
Here is another serving idea – I love these served with Lemon Rice Pilaf and quick sautéed kale!
Nutritional Facts
Alright, let's check out the nutritional facts for these yummy broccoli cheese balls! I know you're curious about what you're eating – good on ya!
Short Recipe Version
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Servings: 6
Ingredients:
- 1 large head broccoli, chopped
- 1 cup cheddar cheese, shredded
- 1/2 cup breadcrumbs
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 egg, beaten
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
Instructions:
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Steam or boil broccoli until tender; drain well.
- In a bowl, combine broccoli, cheddar cheese, breadcrumbs, Parmesan cheese, egg, olive oil, salt, and pepper.
- Form mixture into small balls.
- Place balls on a baking sheet.
- Bake for 20 minutes, or until golden brown.
Nutrition Information (per serving):
- Calories: 150
- Protein: 8g
- Fat: 9g
- Carbohydrates: 9g