Delicious Broccoli Cheese Balls: 7 Comforting Bites to Love Recipe
Delicious Broccoli Cheese Balls are perfect bite-sized snacks combining tender steamed broccoli with sharp cheddar and parmesan cheeses, seasoned with garlic and onion powders, then baked to a golden crisp. These comforting, cheesy bites are ideal as appetizers or snack options that bring a tasty vegetable twist to your table.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: Approximately 20 small broccoli cheese balls 1x
- Category: Snack, Appetizer
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
Scale
Vegetables
- 2 cups broccoli, chopped
Cheeses
- 1 cup cheddar cheese, shredded
- 1/4 cup parmesan cheese, grated
Binders and Seasoning
- 1/2 cup breadcrumbs
- 2 eggs
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Preheat oven: Set your oven to 375°F (190°C) and allow it to fully heat up for even baking of the broccoli cheese balls.
- Steam broccoli: Steam the broccoli until tender, which usually takes about 5-7 minutes, then chop it finely to distribute evenly in the mixture.
- Mix ingredients: In a large bowl, combine the chopped broccoli, shredded cheddar, grated parmesan, breadcrumbs, eggs, garlic powder, onion powder, and salt and pepper. Mix thoroughly until you have a cohesive mixture ready to shape.
- Form balls: Take small portions of the mixture and roll them into bite-sized balls using your hands, aiming for uniform size to ensure even cooking.
- Arrange on baking sheet: Place the prepared balls evenly spaced on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper or lightly greased to prevent sticking.
- Bake: Bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes, or until the balls are golden brown on the outside and cooked through.
Notes
- For a crispier texture, lightly spray the balls with cooking spray before baking.
- These can be served with marinara sauce or ranch dressing for dipping.
- Make sure to finely chop the broccoli to help the balls hold together better.
- Can be refrigerated for up to 3 days or frozen for up to 1 month.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 3 broccoli cheese balls (approx. 90g)
- Calories: 160 kcal
- Sugar: 1.5 g
- Sodium: 320 mg
- Fat: 10 g
- Saturated Fat: 5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 10 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 8 g
- Cholesterol: 90 mg
Keywords: Broccoli cheese balls, cheesy broccoli bites, baked broccoli snacks, vegetarian appetizer, comfort food, easy snack recipes
