Description
These Crunchy Baked Broccoli Cheese Bites are a delicious and healthy snack or appetizer, featuring tender broccoli mixed with cheddar and Parmesan cheeses, baked to a golden, crispy perfection. Perfect for parties, lunchboxes, or as a tasty veggie-packed treat.
Ingredients
Scale
Broccoli Mixture
- 2 cups broccoli florets, chopped
- 1 cup cheddar cheese, shredded
- ½ cup breadcrumbs
- ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
For Baking
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- Cooking spray
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare Pan: Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and lightly spray it with cooking spray to prevent sticking.
- Blanch Broccoli: Boil water and blanch the chopped broccoli florets for 2 minutes to soften them slightly. Drain well and pat dry with a kitchen towel removing excess moisture for best texture.
- Mix Ingredients: In a large bowl, combine the blanched broccoli, shredded cheddar, breadcrumbs, grated Parmesan, eggs, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper. Mix thoroughly until the mixture becomes sticky and cohesive.
- Form Bites: Using your hands, shape the mixture into small balls about the size of golf balls. Slightly flatten each ball into bite-sized patties for even cooking.
- Prepare for Baking: Place the formed bites onto the prepared baking sheet, spacing them apart. Brush the tops with olive oil using a pastry brush to aid in browning and crispiness.
- Bake: Bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes until the bites are golden brown and crispy on the outside.
- Cool and Serve: Remove from oven and allow the bites to cool slightly before serving to ensure they hold their shape and are safe to eat.
Notes
- Make sure to thoroughly dry the broccoli after blanching to prevent the mixture from becoming too wet.
- Use fresh breadcrumbs or panko for extra crunch.
- These bites freeze well; you can freeze them before baking and bake directly from frozen with added cooking time.
- Serve with a dipping sauce like ranch, marinara, or a spicy aioli for extra flavor.
- For a gluten-free version, substitute breadcrumbs with gluten-free breadcrumbs.
