Description
Ah, the irresistible combination of bacon, cheese, and comfort food – it’s a surefire way to satisfy any craving. But what if we told you there’s a healthier way to indulge in this heavenly trio? Introducing the Crispy Bacon Cheeseburger Loaded Cauliflower Bombs, a delightful twist on traditional comfort foods that will have your taste buds dancing with joy.
Ingredients
- 1 medium head of cauliflower, cut into florets
- 8 slices of bacon, cooked and crumbled
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- ½ cup cream cheese, softened
- ¼ cup mayonnaise
- 1 tbsp Dijon mustard
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- ½ tsp onion powder
- ½ tsp smoked paprika
- ½ tsp salt
- ½ tsp black pepper
- 2 green onions, chopped
- 1 cup panko breadcrumbs
- Cooking spray
Instructions
1. Preheat Oven: Start by preheating your oven to 400°F (200°C).
2. Prepare Cauliflower: Steam the cauliflower florets until they’re tender, about 5-7 minutes. Drain the florets and let them cool slightly.
3. Mash Cauliflower: In a large bowl, mash the steamed cauliflower until it’s smooth and creamy.
4. Mix Ingredients: Add the crumbled bacon, cheddar cheese, cream cheese, mayonnaise, Dijon mustard, garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, salt, black pepper, and chopped green onions to the mashed cauliflower. Mix everything together until well combined.
5. Form Bombs: Scoop the cauliflower mixture and shape it into balls, approximately 2 inches in diameter.
6. Coat with Breadcrumbs: Roll each cauliflower ball in the panko breadcrumbs, ensuring they’re evenly coated.
7. Arrange on Baking Sheet: Place the coated cauliflower bombs on a greased baking sheet.
8. Spray with Cooking Spray: Lightly spray the tops of the cauliflower bombs with cooking spray to help them become extra crispy.
9. Bake: Pop the baking sheet into the preheated oven and bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the cauliflower bombs are golden brown and deliciously crispy.
10. Serve: Enjoy these Crispy Bacon Cheeseburger Loaded Cauliflower Bombs as a mouthwatering appetizer or a satisfying snack!
Notes
– Adjust Seasoning: Feel free to adjust the seasonings to your personal taste, adding more or less of the spices and herbs to suit your preferences.
– Experiment with Cheese: While cheddar cheese is the classic choice, you can also try using other types of cheese, such as Monterey Jack, pepper jack, or even a blend of cheeses.
– Freeze for Later: These cauliflower bombs freeze exceptionally well. Simply shape and freeze the uncooked bombs, then bake them straight from the freezer when you’re ready to enjoy them.
– Vary the Cooking Method: In addition to baking, you can also try air-frying or shallow-frying the cauliflower bombs for a delightfully crispy exterior.
– Add Extra Toppings: Get creative and top the baked cauliflower bombs with additional toppings, such as crumbled bacon, diced jalapeños, or a drizzle of ranch or barbecue sauce.
- Prep Time: 10
- Cook Time: 25
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 2
- Calories: 200
- Sugar: 1
- Sodium: 500
- Fat: 12
- Saturated Fat: 4
- Unsaturated Fat: 7
- Trans Fat: 0
- Carbohydrates: 15
- Fiber: 3
- Protein: 8
- Cholesterol: 30