Crispy Baked Broccoli Cheese Balls Appetizer Recipe (6 Ingredients, 35 Minutes) Appetizers High Protein Recipes Snacks Side Dishes Vegetarian Gluten-free Budget Recipes Low Sugar Recipes

Kids and adults both love these crispy broccoli and cheddar cheese bites. This is a fan favorite recipe here at 30Seconds – and for good reason! The crispy, cheesy baked broccoli cheese balls are an irresistible appetizer or an unexpected side dish.

The shopping list for these budget-friendly, high-protein baked broccoli cheese balls is short and simple: broccoli, panko, eggs, cheddar cheese, green onion and garlic. Steam your broccoli until tender, then add it to panko breadcrumbs, eggs, grated cheese, chopped green onions and fresh garlic. Roll into balls and place them on a baking sheet. Give the vegetarian balls a quick mist with nonstick cooking spray (this helps them crisp up). Bake until hot and crispy, about 20 minutes.

This easy broccoli cheese balls recipe makes a fun appetizer with ranch dressing or your favorite dipping sauce. It's a wonderful lunch or even a light dinner served with a salad. You can't go wrong, plus you get the health benefits of broccoli and the health benefits of protein.

Cuisine: American
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 25 minutes
Total Time: 35 minutes
Servings: 8

Ingredients

• 2 cups chopped steamed broccoli, packed
• 1 cup panko or gluten-free panko
• 2 eggs
• 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
• 3 green onions, chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced

Here’s how to make it:

1. Combine the steamed broccoli, panko, eggs, cheese, green onions and garlic in a bowl. Mix until well combined and mashed together. Season with salt and pepper, to taste. (To mimic the classic broccoli rice casserole, add 1/2 cup of cooked white rice to the mixture. Instead of cheddar cheese try Swiss, gruyere, Monterey Jack or your favorite cheese. To make them gluten-free, use gluten-free panko breadcrumbs.)
2. Form broccoli mixture into balls and place on a baking sheet that’s been sprayed with nonstick cooking spray.
3. Lightly spray the tops of the balls with olive oil cooking spray. Bake in a preheated 400-degree F oven about 20 to 25 minutes, or until they begin to get brown and crispy. Store the broccoli cheese balls in an airtight container in the fridge. Reheat them in the oven or microwave.

Recipe cooking times, nutritional information and servings are approximate and provided for your convenience. However, 30Seconds is not responsible for the outcome of any recipe, nor may you have the same results because of variations in ingredients, temperatures, altitude, errors, omissions or cooking/baking abilities. Any nutritional information is provided as a courtesy and it is up to the individual to ascertain accuracy. To ensure image quality, we may occasionally use stock photography.

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