Living, breathing proof that broccoli recipes don’t have to be boring…. 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!
“Freeze! Cut! Don’t move!”
“Faster, faster, faster!”
“Dozer, move! MOVE!”
“Chop chop chop, come on, let’s get this scene done!”
“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 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
More Fabulous Broccoli Recipes
If you love broccoli as much as me, have a browse of all my broccoli recipes! -> Broccoli Recipes
More fabulous Broccoli recipes
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WATCH HOW TO MAKE IT
Baked Broccoli Cheese Balls recipe video!
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Baked Broccoli Cheese Balls
Ingredients
- 2 cups (packed) roughly chopped soft cooked broccoli (well drained) (~400g/13 oz raw broccoli) (Note 1)
- 1 cup panko breadcrumbs
- 2 eggs
- ¾ cup shredded cheese (Cheddar, Colby or Tasty cheese are my usual)
- 2 shallots / scallions , finely sliced
- 2 cloves garlic , minced
- ¼ tsp salt
- Black pepper
- Olive oil spray
Garlic Lemon Yoghurt Sauce:
- 2/3 cup plain yoghurt
- Zest of 1/2 lemon
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
- ½ garlic clove , minced
- 2 tsp extra virgin olive oil (adjust to taste, depends on fat % of yoghurt used)
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 200C/390F (all oven types).
- Line tray with baking / parchment paper. (Note 2)
- 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).
- 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 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!
- Sauce: Mix ingredients together then set aside for at least 20 minutes to allow the flavours to meld.
Recipe Notes:
Nutrition Information:
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.
Just made these for my weekly lunch prep. I substituted the almond meal in for panko & also used mozzarella cheese. I also added in bacon bits & cooked them in silicone muffin pan. Came out so good!
Just wondering how many of each per serving and calories ?
Hi Shari – this recipe makes 15 – 18 balls, so that equates to about 5 or 6 per serving. N x
Made these tonight & they were delicious! Thanks Nagi 🙂
these are absolutely AWESOME! I have been looking for something more to do with broccoli and found this. I love the idea of using them for spaghetti-I didn’t think of that. I didn’t have shallots/scallions, so I sauteed some yellow onion and used ranch/bbq as a dipping sauce. my new favorite. A big THANK YOU for this recipe
Can I use almond flour in place of panko?
Hi, I haven’t tried to be honest, would love to know if it works! N x
The almond flour worked. The broccoli balls baked up nice and is delicious! Thank you.
For anyone that wants to use almond flour in place of panko, use 1/2 cup almond flour (56g).
I’ve made these several times and I love them. I keep them in the freezer and thaw them out to use in spaghetti to replace meatballs.
Is there any way to substitute the eggs? My son has an egg allergy. Thank you!
Hi James, the egg is the binding agent – I haven’t tried with an egg substitute but would love to know if it works! N x
These were easy to make and turned out yummy. Great as a snack too !
When I made it, the texture was a little wet. I rolled the balls and kept it in the fridge overnight and baked the next day. Turned out perfect. Thanks Nagi !
I’m so glad they worked out for you Pk, thanks so much for letting me know!
Hi Nagi – these sound amazing! Can you eat them cold? Just wondering if they would suit for a picnic? Thanks!
yes 100% Tara!! N x
These are excellent! The dipping sauce is a must.
YES! I’m so glad you enjoyed them Lynn!
I made these the other day.
One bite and I did not think much of them but a short moment later, flavour kick in because I had 5 ! They are just so good. I made mine with Broccoli and Cauliflower.
Perfect with Colby cheese.
Great Snack. Oldest teenager said they were really really good, must have been time I came back (was outside) they were almost ALL Gone.
Love this recipe! Made batches of them for a couple of years now. Doing them again this year for a Christmas gathering.
That’s awesome to hear Liza!
My wife and I tried it and it was delicious, we actually made enough to let sit in the refrigerator for the next day for lunch maybe even brunch
I’m so glad you both enjoyed it Ed!
I have not made these yet, but I will! They remind me of vegetable pakora which I love!
I hope you love them Sue!
I made these last night and they were great! I didn’t make the dip and actually used them instead of meatballs in spaghetti. Next time I may season them more or use Italian seasoned breadcrumbs. They’re great!
Oh that’s a great idea Kristin!!
I’m planning to sub Pork Panko to bring the carb count waaaay down!
Serving size 1? 374 calories?
Hi Nagi! 🙂 I tried this recipe, but it came out kind of sour to me, I’m wondering what could gone wrong. I’ll will definitely try to do this again, I’d be grateful to hear your suggestions!
Thank you for your awesome recipes, you’re no. 1 🙂
Hi Kasia, that doesn’t sound right, I can’t imagine what would have made it sour?!
Im thinking I could use cauliflower instead maybe ? I have a cauliflower to use up !
Yes definitely Janet!
These were AMAZING! My only change would be to double the recipe 😉
Perfect Barb!
Absolutely loved these. I used 4C flavored Panko and cheddar cheese. Really yummy. Next time I think I will add red pepper flakes for a bite!!!
Sounds amazing Angels!