Baked Broccoli Cheese Balls Recipe
Deliciously crispy and cheesy baked broccoli cheese balls that make a perfect appetizer or snack. These bite-sized snacks combine tender broccoli florets with rich cheddar and Parmesan cheeses, bound together with eggs, flour, and breadcrumbs, then baked to golden perfection for a healthy yet indulgent treat.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings (approximately 16 cheese balls) 1x
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
Scale
Vegetables
- 2 cups broccoli florets (finely chopped)
Cheese
- 1 1/2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
- 1/3 cup grated Parmesan cheese
Binding and Seasoning
- 1 cup breadcrumbs
- 2 eggs
- 2 tbsp all-purpose flour
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- 1/2 tsp onion powder
- Salt and pepper to taste
Other
- Cooking spray (for greasing the baking sheet)
Instructions
- Prepare the Broccoli: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Steam the broccoli florets for 3-5 minutes until they are tender-crisp. Let them cool completely before finely chopping to ensure a good texture in the cheese balls.
- Mix Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, combine the finely chopped broccoli, breadcrumbs, shredded cheddar cheese, grated Parmesan cheese, eggs, and all-purpose flour. Add garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper according to your taste. Stir thoroughly until the mixture is uniform and holds together well.
- Form Cheese Balls: Using your hands or a small scoop, roll portions of the mixture into 1-inch diameter balls. Arrange these balls evenly spaced on a parchment-lined or cooking spray-greased baking sheet to prevent sticking.
- Bake: Place the baking sheet in the preheated oven and bake the broccoli cheese balls for 20-25 minutes or until they are golden brown and cooked through. For an extra crispy finish, you can broil them for an additional 1-2 minutes—just watch carefully to avoid burning.
- Serve: Allow the cheese balls to cool slightly before serving. They are delicious when enjoyed warm and pair well with marinara sauce or ranch dip for added flavor.
Notes
- Make sure the broccoli is well steamed and cooled so it doesn’t make the mixture too wet.
- Use freshly grated cheeses for better flavor and texture.
- Broil carefully to avoid burning the cheese balls during the crisping step.
- These cheese balls reheat well in the oven or air fryer for maintaining crispiness.
- They can be made ahead of time and refrigerated before baking for convenience.
Keywords: Broccoli Cheese Balls, Baked Appetizer, Cheesy Snacks, Healthy Snack, Vegetarian Appetizer
Find it online: https://epicrecipebox.com/baked-broccoli-cheese-balls-recipe/