Broccoli Cheese Balls
These Broccoli Cheese Balls are a tasty vegetarian appetizer that pairs tender broccoli with gooey cheddar in easy, bite-sized balls—the perfect finger food for gatherings or healthy snacking!
Ingredients
- 1.5 cups fresh broccoli florets steamed and finely chopped
- 1 cup sharp cheddar cheese shredded (Kraft)
- 4 ounces cream cheese softened (Philadelphia)
- 1 large egg
- 0.5 cup panko breadcrumbs plus extra for coating
- 0.5 teaspoon garlic powder
- 0.25 teaspoon salt adjust to taste
- 0.25 teaspoon black pepper freshly ground
- 2 tablespoons chopped green onions for garnish
- Olive oil spray for baking sheet
Instructions
- Steam broccoli florets until just tender, then shock in ice water to lock in color and crispness; drain well and pat dry.
- Combine the cooled broccoli with cheddar, cream cheese, egg, garlic powder, salt, and pepper, stirring until you have a uniform, sticky mixture.
- Use a small cookie scoop or tablespoon to portion the mixture, then roll each scoop into a neat 1-inch ball, dampening palms if needed.
- Roll each ball in extra panko breadcrumbs to create a crispy outer shell that bakes to golden perfection.
- Arrange balls on a parchment-lined sheet and refrigerate for 30 minutes to firm up and hold shape.
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C), mist balls with olive oil spray, and bake for 15–18 minutes or until golden and crispy.
- Let balls cool briefly, garnish with green onions, and serve warm with your favorite dip.
Notes
For a spicy twist, add a pinch of red pepper flakes; leftovers keep in the fridge for 3 days or freeze uncooked balls for a month.
Nutrition
Calories: 85kcal
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