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.
Ingredients
Scale
- 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
Instructions
- Preparation: Steam broccoli florets until vibrant green and tender. Drain completely and finely mince, ensuring no large pieces remain.
- 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.
- Forming: Craft uniform walnut-sized balls by gently compressing the mixture, using hands or a cookie scoop to maintain consistent shape and density.
- Coating: Roll each ball through remaining breadcrumbs, ensuring complete and even coverage for a crisp exterior.
- 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.
- 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