Description
Delicious and crispy Broccoli Cheese Balls made with fresh steamed broccoli, sharp cheddar cheese, and seasoned breadcrumbs. These baked bites are perfect as a snack, appetizer, or side dish, combining cheesy goodness with tender broccoli in a perfectly golden crust.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 2 cups fresh broccoli florets (steamed)
- 1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
- 1 cup seasoned breadcrumbs
- 2 large eggs
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
- 1 tbsp olive oil (for drizzling)
Instructions
- Preheat oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) to prepare for baking the broccoli cheese balls.
- Steam broccoli: Steam the broccoli florets until they are bright green and just tender, which usually takes about 3-5 minutes. Then allow them to cool slightly.
- Mix ingredients: Finely chop the cooled broccoli and combine it with shredded cheddar cheese, seasoned breadcrumbs, eggs, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper in a large mixing bowl. Mix thoroughly until well combined.
- Form balls: Shape the mixture into small balls roughly 1 inch in diameter. Place these balls on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper to prevent sticking.
- Drizzle olive oil: Lightly drizzle olive oil over each ball to help create a crispy texture during baking.
- Bake: Bake the broccoli cheese balls in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes or until they turn golden brown on the outside.
- Serve: Serve the broccoli cheese balls warm for the best flavor and crispy texture.
Notes
- Make sure not to oversteam the broccoli; it should be just tender to maintain texture and flavor.
- You can substitute sharp cheddar cheese with other cheese varieties like mozzarella or pepper jack for different flavor profiles.
- For extra crunch, consider rolling the balls in additional breadcrumbs before baking.
- If you prefer, these can also be fried instead of baked for a crispier exterior.
- Leftover broccoli cheese balls can be refrigerated for up to 3 days and reheated in the oven for best results.
