Crispy Broccoli Cheese Balls Recipe: Fun Snack for All Ages

Crispy, golden broccoli cheese balls burst with flavor that will make your taste buds dance.

These delightful appetizers blend fresh broccoli with rich, melty cheese in a perfectly crunchy coating.

Packed with wholesome ingredients, they offer a delectable twist on traditional snacks.

Each bite delivers a satisfying crunch that gives way to a creamy, cheesy center.

Simple to prepare and impossible to resist, these broccoli cheese balls work magic as party appetizers or quick family treats.

The combination of sharp cheese and tender broccoli creates an irresistible harmony of textures and tastes.

Dive into this recipe and watch these little flavor bombs disappear faster than you can plate them.

Tools To Form Broccoli Cheese Balls With Ease

• Large mixing bowl: Essential for combining all ingredients thoroughly and creating the broccoli cheese ball mixture.
• Cutting board: Needed for chopping broccoli florets finely and preparing ingredients.
• Chef's knife: Perfect for precise chopping of broccoli and herbs.
• Steamer or pot: Required to steam or blanch broccoli until tender.
• Shallow dish: Used for coating broccoli balls with breadcrumbs.
• Baking sheet: Key for baking broccoli cheese balls evenly and creating a crispy exterior.
• Parchment paper or cooking spray: Prevents balls from sticking to the baking sheet.
• Measuring cups and spoons: Ensures accurate ingredient quantities.

Making Broccoli Cheese Balls Crisp On The Outside

• Veggie Preparation

Steam broccoli until soft and tender. Chop into tiny pieces and let cool down. The smaller the chop, the better the texture of the final snack.

• Flavor Fusion

Blend chopped broccoli with cheeses, herbs, and seasonings in a mixing bowl. Use your hands to mix everything thoroughly, ensuring each bite will have balanced flavors.

• Ball Crafting

Gently shape the mixture into round bite-sized spheres. Make sure they’re compact so they hold together during baking.

• Crispy Coating

Roll each ball in breadcrumbs, creating a delightful golden exterior that will turn wonderfully crunchy when baked.

• Baking Magic

Heat oven to 400F. Place balls on a baking sheet and cook until they’re golden brown and crispy. Flip them halfway through to ensure even browning.

• Serving Celebration

Arrange these delectable bites on a platter. Serve immediately with a zesty dipping sauce that complements their cheesy, herbal profile. These make perfect party appetizers or fun family snacks.

Flavor Boosters For Broccoli Cheese Balls

• Perfect Texture Trick: Pat the chopped broccoli completely dry with paper towels to prevent soggy balls that might fall apart during baking.
• Gluten-Free Option: Replace regular breadcrumbs with gluten-free panko or almond flour for celiac-friendly and low-carb versions that maintain the crispy exterior.
• Protein Power-Up: Add cooked and crumbled bacon or diced cooked chicken to boost protein content, making these balls more filling and satisfying for meat lovers.
• Veggie Swap Magic: Experiment with cauliflower or zucchini as alternative base vegetables, which will provide similar texture and nutritional benefits while offering exciting flavor variations.
• Freezer-Friendly Hack: Prepare these balls ahead of time, freeze them uncooked on a baking sheet, then transfer to a freezer bag for quick future meals – simply bake directly from frozen, adding 5-7 extra minutes to cooking time.

Serving Broccoli Cheese Balls As A Snack Or Side

• Party Appetizer Platter: Arrange the broccoli cheese balls on a rustic wooden board with small bowls of colorful dipping sauces like tangy ranch, zesty marinara, and spicy chipotle aioli for a stunning presentation that will wow guests.
• Healthy Lunch Companion: Pack these crispy balls in a lunch container with a small salad or as a protein-rich side dish, making a nutritious midday meal that's both delicious and satisfying.
• Game Day Snack Spread: Serve these golden broccoli cheese balls as a crowd-pleasing finger food during sports events, movie nights, or casual gatherings, offering a vegetable-packed alternative to traditional fried appetizers.
• Kid-Friendly Meal Hack: Transform these cheese balls into a fun dinner option by pairing them with marinara sauce, creating an engaging meal that sneaks vegetables into children's diets with cheesy, crispy goodness.

Storage Advice For Broccoli Cheese Balls

• Fridge Fresh Strategy: Store cooled broccoli cheese balls in an airtight container for up to 4 days. Place parchment paper between layers to prevent sticking and maintain their crispy texture.
• Freezer Prep Technique: Arrange uncooked balls on a baking sheet, freeze individually, then transfer to freezer bags. These ready-to-bake treats will stay fresh for 2-3 months, offering quick meal solutions.
• Reheating Magic: Revive refrigerated or frozen balls in the oven at 375F for 10-15 minutes. Avoid microwave to keep the exterior crisp and prevent soggy bottoms. Toaster ovens work wonderfully for small batches.
• Make-Ahead Wisdom: Prepare the mixture and shape balls one day ahead, storing covered in the refrigerator. This technique allows flavors to meld and simplifies meal preparation when time is tight.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 25 minutes

Total Time: 40 minutes

Calories: 120 kcal

Servings: 11

What You’ll Need For Broccoli Cheese Balls

• Broccoli: Brings vibrant green color and nutritious crunch, choose fresh florets with tight, deep green clusters and no yellow spots.
• Garlic Powder: Adds subtle aromatic warmth, select high-quality powder for consistent flavor distribution.
• Onion Powder: Provides delicate savory undertone, look for pure powder without added preservatives.

• Eggs: Acts as critical binding agent, ensure fresh eggs at room temperature for better mixture consistency.
• Breadcrumbs: Creates crispy exterior and helps hold ingredients together, opt for fine, uniform breadcrumbs for smooth coating.
• Parsley: Introduces fresh herbal notes, select bright green leaves with no wilting.

• Cheddar Cheese: Delivers rich, tangy flavor, choose sharp variety for more pronounced taste.
• Parmesan Cheese: Contributes nutty, salty dimension, select freshly grated for optimal melting.
• Salt: Enhances overall taste profile, use kosher or sea salt for balanced seasoning.
• Black Pepper: Provides gentle heat, freshly ground yields more intense flavor.
• Smoked Paprika: Introduces subtle smoky complexity, select high-quality Spanish or Hungarian varieties.
• Cooking Spray: Helps achieve golden, crispy exterior without excessive oil.

Crispy Broccoli Cheese Balls Recipe

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4.8 from 17 reviews

• Total Time: 40 minutes
• Yield: 11 1x

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Description

Crispy broccoli cheese balls blend savory cheese with tender broccoli for a mouthwatering appetizer. Golden-brown exterior gives way to a creamy, flavorful center that will delight snack enthusiasts.

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Ingredients

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• 2 cups (180 g) broccoli florets, finely chopped
• 1 cup (100 g) cheddar cheese, shredded
• ¼ cup (25 g) Parmesan cheese, grated
• 1 cup (100 g) breadcrumbs
• 2 large eggs
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• ½ tsp onion powder
• ½ tsp salt
• ¼ tsp black pepper
• ¼ tsp smoked paprika (optional)
• 2 tbsps parsley, chopped (optional)
• Cooking spray or oil for greasing

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Instructions

1. Preparation: Steam broccoli florets until vibrant green and tender. Drain completely and finely mince, ensuring no large pieces remain.
2. Mixing: Combine minced broccoli with cheddar, Parmesan, breadcrumbs, eggs, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, black pepper, paprika, and parsley in a large mixing bowl. Blend thoroughly until ingredients are evenly distributed.
3. Forming: Craft uniform walnut-sized balls by gently compressing the mixture, using hands or a cookie scoop to maintain consistent shape and density.
4. Coating: Roll each ball through remaining breadcrumbs, ensuring complete and even coverage for a crisp exterior.
5. Baking: Heat oven to 400°F. Arrange coated balls on a lined baking sheet, maintaining slight separation. Lightly spray with olive oil to enhance crispiness. Roast for 22-25 minutes, rotating midway, until exterior turns golden-brown and interior remains moist.
6. Serving: Transfer broccoli cheese balls to a platter and pair with complementary dipping sauces like ranch, marinara, or aioli for an elevated appetizer experience.

Notes

• Optimize Broccoli Texture: Steam broccoli briefly to retain vibrant green color and prevent mushiness, ensuring perfect tender-crisp consistency without excess water.
• Control Moisture Carefully: Pat broccoli completely dry after steaming to prevent soggy balls; excess moisture compromises binding and crispiness of final product.
• Binding Technique Matters: Mix ingredients thoroughly and compress gently when forming balls to ensure they hold together without becoming dense or tough during baking.
• Customize for Dietary Needs: Swap regular breadcrumbs with gluten-free alternatives, use low-fat cheese options, or replace eggs with flax eggs for vegetarian/gluten-sensitive variations.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 25 minutes
• Category: Appetizer, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 11
• Calories: 120
• Sugar: 1 g
• Sodium: 200 mg
• Fat: 6 g
• Saturated Fat: 3 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 2 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 10 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 7 g
• Cholesterol: 70 mg