Baked Broccoli Cheese Balls Recipe
Deliciously cheesy and wholesome baked broccoli cheese balls, perfect as a healthy appetizer or snack. These crispy on the outside, tender on the inside bites combine steamed broccoli, sharp cheddar, and Parmesan cheese, all bound together and baked to golden perfection.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 12 servings 1x
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 2 cups broccoli florets (finely chopped)
- 1 cup breadcrumbs (for binding)
- 1 1/2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
- 1/3 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 eggs (for binding)
- 2 tbsp all-purpose flour (for binding)
Seasonings
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- 1/2 tsp onion powder
- Salt and pepper to taste
Additional
- Cooking spray (for greasing the baking sheet)
Instructions
- Preheat oven: Set your oven to 400°F (200°C) so it reaches the perfect temperature while you prepare the mixture.
- Steam broccoli: Steam the broccoli florets until they are tender-crisp, which usually takes about 3-5 minutes. This step softens the broccoli while retaining some crunch for texture.
- Chop broccoli: Allow the steamed broccoli to cool slightly, then chop it finely to create even, small pieces that will blend well in the mixture.
- Mix ingredients: In a large bowl, combine the finely chopped broccoli, breadcrumbs, shredded cheddar cheese, grated Parmesan cheese, eggs, all-purpose flour, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper. Mix thoroughly until everything is well incorporated.
- Form balls: Take portions of the mixture and shape them into 1-inch balls, ensuring they are compact so they hold together during baking.
- Prepare baking sheet: Lightly grease a baking sheet using cooking spray to prevent sticking and to help the cheese balls crisp nicely.
- Bake: Place the broccoli cheese balls onto the prepared baking sheet and bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes until they turn golden brown and crispy on the outside.
- Cool and serve: Let the cheese balls cool slightly once out of the oven, then serve warm with your favorite marinara sauce or ranch dip for a delightful snack or appetizer.
Notes
- Make sure to finely chop the broccoli after steaming to ensure the cheese balls hold together well.
- Use fresh breadcrumbs or panko for a crispier texture.
- Monitor baking time closely to avoid over-browning.
- These cheese balls can be prepared ahead and refrigerated before baking.
- For a gluten-free version, substitute all-purpose flour and breadcrumbs with gluten-free alternatives.
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Find it online: https://foodbylina.com/baked-broccoli-cheese-balls-recipe/
