Description
Savory Broccoli Cheese Balls bring comfort and zest to classic vegetable side dishes. Packed with sharp cheddar, tender broccoli, and a golden crispy exterior, these little morsels promise delightful flavor that calls you back for more.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 2 cups broccoli florets, finely chopped
- 1 1/2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
- 1/3 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 eggs
Binding Ingredients:
- 1 cup breadcrumbs
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
Seasonings:
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- Cooking spray (for greasing the baking sheet)
Instructions
- Prepare vegetables by steaming broccoli florets until tender-crisp at 3-5 minutes. Cool completely and finely chop into small uniform pieces.
- Create mixture by combining chopped broccoli with breadcrumbs, cheddar, Parmesan, eggs, and flour in large mixing bowl. Season with garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper. Mix thoroughly until ingredients bind together cohesively.
- Form compact round balls approximately 1-inch in diameter using clean hands. Place formed balls onto parchment-lined baking sheet, spacing them evenly to ensure consistent cooking.
- Bake at 400F (200C) for 20-25 minutes until exterior turns golden and crispy. Optional: Activate broiler for additional 1-2 minutes to enhance exterior crispiness, monitoring closely to prevent burning.
- Remove from oven and allow cheese balls to rest for 3-5 minutes. Serve warm alongside marinara sauce, ranch dressing, or preferred dipping condiment for optimal flavor and texture.
Notes
- Precision matters when steaming broccoli, aiming for tender-crisp texture ensures the perfect moisture level and prevents soggy cheese balls.
- Consider using a food processor to finely chop broccoli for more uniform texture and easier mixing of ingredients.
- Squeeze out excess moisture from steamed broccoli using a clean kitchen towel to prevent balls from becoming too wet and falling apart during baking.
- Experiment with alternative cheese options like mozzarella or gouda for different flavor profiles, making the recipe adaptable to personal taste preferences.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Appetizer, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 280 kcal
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 520 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 9 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
- Trans Fat: 0.3 g
- Carbohydrates: 15 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 15 g
- Cholesterol: 110 mg