Baked Broccoli Cheese Balls (Print Format)
Crispy baked balls packed with broccoli, cheddar, and Parmesan cheese. Healthier than fried and always a crowd-pleaser!
# Ingredients:
→ Cheesy Broccoli Base
01 -
2 cups broccoli florets, finely chopped (steamed and squeezed dry)
02 -
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
03 -
½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
04 -
½ cup breadcrumbs
05 -
1 large egg, lightly beaten
06 -
2 cloves garlic, minced
07 -
½ teaspoon onion powder
08 -
¼ teaspoon black pepper
09 -
Salt to taste
→ Crispy Coating
10 -
½ cup breadcrumbs for coating
11 -
¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
12 -
1 teaspoon garlic powder
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1 teaspoon paprika
14 -
1 large egg, beaten for egg wash
# Steps:
01 -
Preheat your oven to 375°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. This keeps everything from sticking and makes cleanup a breeze!
02 -
Steam your broccoli florets for 5-6 minutes until tender, then let them cool. Here's the key part - squeeze out as much moisture as possible using a clean kitchen towel. Then chop them into small pieces.
03 -
In a big bowl, combine your chopped broccoli, cheddar cheese, Parmesan, breadcrumbs, beaten egg, garlic, onion powder, pepper, and salt. Mix everything until it's well combined and holds together nicely.
04 -
Scoop about a tablespoon of mixture and roll it into a ball with your hands. Place each ball on a plate as you go. Don't worry if they're not perfect - rustic is charming!
05 -
Mix your coating breadcrumbs with Parmesan, garlic powder, and paprika in one shallow bowl. Put the beaten egg in another bowl. Now you're ready for the fun part!
06 -
Dip each ball first in the beaten egg, then roll it in the breadcrumb mixture, pressing gently to make sure it sticks well. Place the coated balls on your prepared baking sheet.
07 -
Bake for 18-20 minutes until they're golden brown and crispy on the outside. Your kitchen is going to smell absolutely amazing!
08 -
Serve these beauties warm with your favorite dipping sauce - ranch, marinara, or aioli all work great. Watch them disappear faster than you can make them!
# Tips:
01 -
These are like little bites of comfort food heaven - crispy outside, melty cheesy inside, and packed with good-for-you broccoli!
02 -
Perfect for sneaking veggies into picky eaters' diets. They'll be too busy enjoying the cheesy goodness to notice they're eating something healthy!
03 -
If the mixture feels too soft to hold together, pop it in the fridge for 15-20 minutes before rolling. This helps everything firm up nicely.