Baked Broccoli Cheese Balls
Proof that broccoli recipes don’t have to be boring….
- 2 cups (packed) roughly chopped soft cooked broccoli (well drained) ((~400g/14 oz raw broccoli) (Note 1))
- 1 cup panko breadcrumbs
- 2 large eggs ((~55g/2oz each in-shell))
- 3/4 cup shredded cheese ((Cheddar, Colby or Tasty cheese are my usual))
- 2 green onion stems (, finely sliced)
- 2 cloves garlic (, finely minced)
- 1/4 tsp cooking salt / kosher salt ((halve for table salt, + 50% for flakes))
- Black pepper
- Olive oil spray
- 1 batch Lemon Yogurt Sauce ((or plain yogurt))
- Preheat oven to 200°C/400°F (180°C fan forced). Line a tray with baking / parchment paper. (Note 2)
- Mixture - Place all ingredients (except oil spray) in a bowl. Mix well to combine, mashing up the broccoli as you go (like when you are cooking mince).
- Form balls - Scoop up a heaped tablespoon, then press in firmly. Flick out into your hand then form into a ball. Place on tray. Repeat with remaining mixture - should make 15 - 18 balls.
- Spray and bake - Spray with oil then bake for 25 minutes, or until the surface is slightly crisp and golden.
- Serve with Lemon Yoghurt Sauce – it also goes great with ketchup!
These Baked Broccoli Cheese Balls are an outrageously delicious meat-free meal or fabulous bites to serve at a gathering. Make these with fresh or frozen broccoli, and watch as even the pickiest of eaters scoff them down!
“Dozer. I said MOVE!”
One day, I need to use the sound that’s recorded on the footage that I shoot for the recipe videos.
When I watch the clips, I’m always in hysterics when I listen to the ridiculous conversation: me batting Dozer away, listening to my mother getting all stressed out when I crack the whip to chop faster, her mocking my Baby Hands and throwing her weight around as the “talent” in my videos. And sometimes, I deliberately shout out “FREEZE!” when my mother is in a particularly awkward position – like half squatting, mid ball forming – just for my own amusement.
Ba ha ha, I’m SO MEAN! Such is life when you’re an amateur videographer, working out of your home with a make-do-with-what-you-have video set up, on a $6 Bunnings DIY fake marble shooting surface, with your mother as your hand model and a dog who…..well, a dog who contributes nothing except gets in the way.
We create our own amusement! Now – let’s talk Broccoli Balls!
Baked Broccoli Cheese Balls: Perfect meat-free party snacks
Today is Monday Meatball Mania, yet another “thing” I do to create my own amusement. My friend Jo from Jo Cooks and I agreed to each share a meatball recipe on the last Monday of every month.
And that’s just about the only rule there is. Except….that it needs to be a meatball recipe… and these Baked Broccoli Cheese Balls are completely devoid of any form of meat.
Hmm…..I wonder if Jo will declare this to be a foul? 😉 We shall see! These babies certainly don’t taste healthy – but they are.
You’ll be surprised how much broccoli you use – an entire very large head – and they are baked, not fried. They come out beautifully golden, they stay pretty round, and they’re really juicy and moist inside.
I haven’t served these Baked Broccoli Cheese Balls at a gathering yet, probably with a dipping sauce like Lemon Yogurt Sauce, but I definitely plan to in the near future because they reheat well and I think they’ll be a total crowed pleaser. And they’re fabulous as a meal too. In the photo below, I served this with a lemon pilaf and a quick sautéed kale side (recipe in the notes!). – Nagi x
Watch how to make it
Baked Broccoli Cheese Balls recipe video! Hungry for more?
More fabulous Broccoli recipes
- Broccoli Gratin
- Super Quick Broccoli Pasta
- Broccoli Salad with Lighter Creamy Dressing
- Broccoli Fritters – plus Chicken Broccoli Fritters
- Easy Broccoli Cheese Soup
- Browse all Broccoli Recipes
Life of Dozer
If it isn’t bad enough that he can’t even go for walks until the cut on his paw heals a bit, now I’m making him wear a sock…..!!! PS Before you mock me (and him), it is VERY practical rather than re-bandaging every day because it gets so filthy.
I mean, I have four of these socks. So I only have to wash them every 4 days! 😉
PS Reminder: let’s not feel too sorry for him. He lives a darn good life.