Description
Cheesy broccoli dreams come alive in these crispy baked broccoli cheese balls, packed with wholesome goodness and irresistible flavor. Perfectly golden and crunchy, these delightful bites offer you a healthier twist on classic comfort food that will satisfy both nutrition and taste cravings.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 2 cups (480 ml) fresh broccoli florets, finely chopped
- 1 cup (240 ml) shredded cheddar cheese
- 1/2 cup (120 ml) grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 large eggs
- 1/2 cup (120 ml) breadcrumbs
Seasoning Ingredients:
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
Cooking Ingredients:
- Cooking spray or olive oil for baking
Instructions
- Prepare the oven by heating to 400F (200C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper, lightly coating with cooking spray to prevent sticking.
- Transform broccoli by steaming or blanching fresh florets for 2 minutes, then meticulously chop into fine pieces. For frozen broccoli, thoroughly drain and finely dice.
- Create a flavor-packed mixture by combining chopped broccoli with cheddar, Parmesan, breadcrumbs, eggs, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, black pepper, and oregano in a mixing bowl. Blend ingredients until uniformly distributed.
- Craft uniform balls by scooping approximately one tablespoon of the mixture and rolling between palms. Arrange spheres evenly across the prepared baking sheet, maintaining consistent spacing.
- Roast in the preheated oven for 18-20 minutes, monitoring until exterior turns golden brown and develops a crispy texture.
- Allow broccoli cheese balls to cool momentarily after removing from oven. Present alongside complementary dipping sauces like ranch dressing, marinara, or sour cream for enhanced enjoyment.
Notes
- Squeeze out excess water from chopped broccoli using a clean kitchen towel to prevent soggy cheese balls.
- Experiment with different cheese combinations like mozzarella, Swiss, or goat cheese for unique flavor profiles.
- Replace breadcrumbs with ground almond flour or gluten-free breadcrumbs to make the recipe celiac-friendly.
- Prepare and shape balls in advance, then freeze on a baking sheet before transferring to a freezer bag for quick future cooking.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Appetizer, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 12
- Calories: 103 kcal
- Sugar: 0.5 g
- Sodium: 240 mg
- Fat: 7 g
- Saturated Fat: 3.5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 4 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 6 g
- Cholesterol: 55 mg