Baked Broccoli and Cheese Balls (Printable)
Golden, crispy broccoli bites packed with cheddar and parmesan. Perfect party appetizer or family-friendly snack baked to perfection.
# What You'll Need:
→ Vegetables
01 - 2 cups broccoli florets, steamed and finely chopped
02 - 1 small onion, finely diced
→ Dairy
03 - 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
04 - 1/3 cup grated Parmesan cheese
→ Binders
05 - 2 large eggs
06 - 1/2 cup breadcrumbs
→ Seasonings
07 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
08 - 1/2 teaspoon salt
09 - 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
10 - 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
11 - 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes
→ To Finish
12 - Olive oil spray
# How to Prepare:
01 - Preheat the oven to 400°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and lightly spray with olive oil.
02 - Steam the broccoli florets until just tender, about 5 minutes. Drain well and finely chop.
03 - In a large mixing bowl, combine the chopped broccoli, onion, cheddar cheese, Parmesan, eggs, and breadcrumbs. Add garlic, salt, pepper, oregano, and red pepper flakes. Mix until well combined and mixture holds together.
04 - Scoop about 1 heaping tablespoon of mixture and shape into a ball. Place on the prepared baking sheet. Repeat with remaining mixture.
05 - Lightly spray the tops of the balls with olive oil.
06 - Bake for 22 to 25 minutes, or until golden brown and crisp on the outside.
07 - Let cool for 5 minutes before serving. Serve with your favorite dipping sauce.
# Expert Advice:
01 -
- The crispy exterior gives way to the most satisfying molten cheese center
- They reheat beautifully so you can make them ahead for stress free entertaining
02 -
- Excess moisture in the broccoli is the enemy so squeeze it well after steaming
- The mixture should feel sticky but manageable if it is too loose add another tablespoon of breadcrumbs
03 -
- Use a small cookie scoop for evenly sized balls that cook at the same rate
- Let the pan cool slightly between batches if you are making multiple sheets