Broccoli and cheese balls

Delicious broccoli and cheese balls are probably the best thing that's happened to broccoli in a while. These meatless balls are cheesy, crispy, and absolutely divine. Seriously. Serve these with a dip as an appetiser, in a salad or with rice as a main course. You can even serve them with eggs for breakfast. There's never a wrong time to eat broccoli and cheese balls.

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I love making these as a healthy snack, just dipping them into sweet chili sauce, guacamole or my favorite authentic tzatziki sauce. They are quick and easy to throw together, and always satisfy all of my cheese needs. If you're looking to try some meatless recipes, or you need to impress a meat lover with a vegetarian dish, this is the one. It's so good. It's so cheesy.. perfection!

How to make broccoli and cheese balls

Cook or steam 300 g broccoli florets until soft. For this recipe you can use fresh or frozen broccoli, just keep in mind that if your broccoli is frozen you might have to add a bit more than the listed amount. For simplicity, one medium broccoli will give about 300 g florets.

Preheat your oven to 195°C / 175°C fan oven / 380°F / Gas mark 5.

Grate or mince a small onion or shallot very finely. We don't want any large chunks of onion, and are only adding them for some flavor. Add the minced onion to a bowl, along with breadcrumbs, grated cheese, eggs, salt and pepper. When the broccoli is cooked, drain off the water and chop it very finely. You can either use a food processor or a knife, just make sure that the broccoli is cut very fine with no chunks.

Use a spoon or fork to combine all the ingredients. Then, using a spoon and your hands, form small meatball sized broccoli and cheese balls. Add them to a baking sheet covered baking tray. This recipe makes 20-25 balls, and they will all fit on one tray. Spray the broccoli and cheese balls with some one calorie cooking spray, and bake them in the oven for 25 minutes, until they are crispy and slightly golden on the surface.

What to serve with broccoli and cheese balls

• This dish goes great with salads. Try couscous salad, sweet potato chickpea salad, or orzo salad with spinach.
• Do it with pasta! Butternut squash pasta sauce and pasta with roasted tomatoes would both go great with broccoli and cheese balls.
• Or just make it easy and serve them as is with a good dipping sauce. Guacamole, carrot dip or roasted garlic dip are all great options.

Can you freeze broccoli and cheese balls?

You can freeze these bites for up to 3 months. That and reheat in the oven at  195°C / 175°C fan oven / 380°F / Gas mark 5 for 5-10 minutes until warmed through. You can also store leftovers in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat in the microwave or the oven until piping hot. Alternatively, you can also make these ahead. Make the balls, and leave them in the fridge uncooked for up to 1 day before baking them in the oven. Make sure to use airtight containers for safe storage.

More cheesy recipes:

• Slow cooker broccoli cheddar soup
• Orzo salad with spinach, feta and lemon
• Chickpea and halloumi curry

Broccoli and cheese balls

Delicious broccoli and cheese balls are probably the best thing that’s happened to broccoli in a while. These meatless balls are cheesy, crispy, and absolutely divine. Seriously. Serve these with a dip as an appetiser, in a salad or with rice as a main course. You can even serve them with eggs for breakfast. There’s never a wrong time to eat broccoli and cheese balls.

5 from 4 votes

Created by: Tonje

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Prep Time 10 mins

Cook Time 25 mins

Course Appetizer, lunch, Snack

Cuisine International

Servings 22 broccoli and cheese balls

Calories 40 kcal

Cook ModePrevent your screen from going dark

Ingredients

  

1x2x3x

• ▢ 300 g broccoli florets 1 medium broccoli
• ▢ 100 g grated cheese I use cheddar or mozzarella
• ▢ 50 g breadcrumbs or almond flour
• ▢ 2 eggs
• ▢ 1 small onion or shallot
• ▢ salt, pepper

Instructions

 

• Cook or steam 300 g broccoli florets until soft. For this recipe you can use fresh or frozen broccoli, just keep in mind that if your broccoli is frozen you might have to add a bit more than the listed amount. If using fresh broccoli, you'll need 1 medium broccoli.
• Preheat your oven to 195°C / 175°C fan oven / 380°F / Gas mark 5.
• Grate or mince a small onion or shallot very finely. We don’t want any large chunks of onion, and are only adding them for some flavor.
• Add the minced onion to a bowl, along with breadcrumbs, grated cheese, eggs, salt and pepper.
• When the broccoli is cooked, drain off the water and chop it very finely. You can either use a food processor or a knife, just make sure that the broccoli is cut very fine with no chunks.
• Use a spoon or fork to combine all the ingredients. Then, using a spoon and your hands, form small meatball sized broccoli and cheese balls. Add them to a baking sheet covered baking tray. This recipe makes 20-25 balls, and they will all fit on one tray.
• Spray the broccoli and cheese balls with some one calorie cooking spray, and bake them in the oven for 25 minutes, until they are crispy and brown on the surface.

Notes

You can freeze these bites for up to 3 months. That and reheat in the oven at  195°C / 175°C fan oven / 380°F / Gas mark 5 for 5-10 minutes until warmed through. You can also store leftovers in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat in the microwave or the oven until piping hot. Alternatively, you can also make these ahead. Make the balls, and leave them in the fridge uncooked for up to 1 day before baking them in the oven. Make sure to use airtight containers for safe storage.

Spice things up!

You can try adding different spices and seasoning to the broccoli and cheese balls if you're looking for variation. Taco seasoning, Cajun seasoning, Indian spices, lemon pepper, or garlic powder would be worth trying.

Nutrition

Calories: 40kcalCarbohydrates: 3gProtein: 2gFat: 2gSaturated Fat: 1gCholesterol: 20mgSodium: 55mgPotassium: 65mgFiber: 1gSugar: 1gVitamin A: 152IUVitamin C: 13mgCalcium: 47mgIron: 1mg

Keyword balls, bites, broccoli, cheese

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