Description
Baked Broccoli Cheese Balls are a delightful and versatile snack or appetizer that combines the nutritional power of broccoli with the irresistible creaminess of cheese.
Ingredients
- 2 cup broccoli florets, steamed until tender-crisp and finely chopped
- 1 cup breadcrumbs (plain or Italian seasoned)
- 1 1/2 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
- 1/3 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 large eggs, beaten
- 2 tablespoon all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- Cooking spray, for greasing the baking sheet
Instructions
1. Preheat Oven: Start by preheating your oven to 400°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or lightly grease it with cooking spray.
2. Steam & Chop Broccoli: Steam the broccoli florets until they are tender-crisp, then finely chop them until they resemble coarse rice.
3. Mix Ingredients: In a large bowl, combine the chopped broccoli, breadcrumbs, cheddar cheese, Parmesan cheese, beaten eggs, all-purpose flour, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper. Mix everything together until well combined.
4. Form Balls: Roll the broccoli mixture into 1-inch balls and place them on the prepared baking sheet, leaving some space between each one.
5. Bake: Pop the Baked Broccoli Cheese Balls in the oven and bake for 20–25 minutes, or until they’re golden brown. For an extra crispy finish, you can broil them for 1–2 minutes, but be sure to keep a close eye on them.
6. Cool & Serve: Once the Baked Broccoli Cheese Balls are out of the oven, let them rest for 3–5 minutes before serving. Enjoy them warm with your favorite dipping sauces.
Notes
To ensure your Baked Broccoli Cheese Balls turn out perfectly every time, keep these tips in mind:
Moisture Control: Be sure to thoroughly drain the steamed broccoli to remove any excess moisture.
Uniform Sizing: Aim for consistently sized 1-inch balls to ensure even baking.
Baking Time Adjustment: Adjust the baking time as needed to achieve your desired level of crispiness.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4 balls
- Calories: 250
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 300mg
- Fat: 15g
- Saturated Fat: 8g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 20g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 10g
- Cholesterol: 150mg