Description
Baked Broccoli Cheese Balls offer a crispy, golden exterior with a creamy, savory interior that blends wholesome vegetables and rich cheese. Perfectly seasoned and baked to perfection, these delightful morsels provide a healthier twist on classic comfort snacks you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 2 cups (473 ml) finely chopped broccoli
- 1 ½ cups (170 g) shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 cup (120 g) breadcrumbs
- ½ cup (50 g) grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 eggs
Seasoning and Binding Ingredients:
- 2 tablespoons (15 g) all-purpose flour
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- Salt (to taste)
- Pepper (to taste)
Preparation Ingredient:
- Cooking spray (as needed for greasing)
Instructions
- Prepare the oven by heating to 400°F (204°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper for easy cleanup.
- Steam fresh broccoli florets in a steamer basket for 3-4 minutes until bright green and slightly tender, then drain and pat dry completely with paper towels to remove excess moisture.
- Finely chop the steamed broccoli into small, uniform pieces to ensure even distribution throughout the mixture.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the chopped broccoli with breadcrumbs, sharp cheddar cheese, finely grated Parmesan cheese, beaten eggs, all-purpose flour, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper.
- Mix the ingredients thoroughly, ensuring all components are evenly distributed and the mixture holds together when gently compressed.
- Using clean hands or a small cookie scoop, form the mixture into compact, uniform balls approximately 1.5 inches (3.8 centimeters) in diameter.
- Arrange the broccoli cheese balls on the prepared baking sheet, spacing them about 1 inch (2.5 centimeters) apart to allow even browning.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes, rotating the baking sheet halfway through to ensure consistent golden-brown coloration.
- For an extra crispy exterior, switch the oven to broil and cook for an additional 1-2 minutes, watching carefully to prevent burning.
- Remove from the oven and let the broccoli cheese balls rest for 3-5 minutes to set and cool slightly.
- Serve warm with marinara sauce or creamy ranch dressing for dipping, garnishing with fresh chopped parsley if desired.
Notes
- Unlock the secret to perfectly crispy, cheesy broccoli balls that’ll make everyone at the table do a happy dance.
- Steaming broccoli beforehand ensures maximum moisture removal, preventing soggy disappointment in your final dish.
- Chilling the mixture for 15 minutes helps bind ingredients and makes rolling easier, creating uniform, Instagram-worthy bite-sized treats.
- Experiment with different cheese blends like sharp cheddar, mozzarella, or even blue cheese for unexpected flavor explosions.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days, reheating in the oven to maintain that coveted crunch.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Snacks, Appetizer
- Method: Baking, Frying
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 200 kcal
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 290mg
- Fat: 14g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 12g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 9g
- Cholesterol: 50mg