Description
These baked broccoli cheese balls are crispy on the outside, cheesy and tender on the inside, and full of flavor from garlic, shallots, and sharp cheese. Served with a lemon garlic yogurt dip, they make a perfect meat-free snack, appetizer, or light meal.
Ingredients
- For the broccoli balls:
- 2 cups soft-cooked broccoli, chopped and well-drained (about 400 g raw)
- 1 cup panko breadcrumbs
- 2 large eggs
- ¾ cup shredded cheese (cheddar, Colby, or similar)
- 2 shallots or scallions, finely sliced
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- Olive oil spray, for baking
- For the garlic lemon yogurt sauce:
- ⅔ cup plain yogurt (Greek or regular)
- Zest of ½ lemon
- 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
- ½ garlic clove, finely minced or grated
- 2 teaspoons extra virgin olive oil
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 200°C (390°F). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Steam or boil broccoli until soft, then drain and chop. Remove as much excess moisture as possible.
- In a large bowl, combine broccoli, panko, eggs, cheese, shallots, garlic, salt, and pepper. Mix well, mashing slightly to help bind.
- Use heaped tablespoons to form 15–18 firm balls, rolling them between your hands.
- Place on the baking sheet and spray lightly with olive oil.
- Bake for 25 minutes, or until golden and crisp on the outside.
- While baking, mix all yogurt sauce ingredients in a small bowl and let sit for 20 minutes to blend flavors.
- Serve broccoli balls warm with yogurt dip on the side.
Notes
- Swap panko for almond meal to make it gluten-free.
- Try other cheeses like gouda, mozzarella, or pepper jack.
- Add spinach, zucchini (squeezed dry), or carrots for extra veggies.
- Air fry at 180°C (356°F) for 12–15 minutes for a quicker, crispier version.
- Serve with marinara, sour cream, or ranch as alternate dips.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 5–6 balls with sauce
- Calories: 280
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 420mg
- Fat: 17g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 20g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 13g
- Cholesterol: 95mg
