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.
I was wondering if I could add bacon bits
I’m on low carb so I subbed crushed pork rinds for the panko..tasted great!
How did it change the taste?
Great recipe, I skipped the oil spray and they still came out really nice. My other changes were to use garlic powder instead of fresh, some red onion, some oregano and only one egg. And I used frozen broccoli as well. So yummy and easy to make. Will definitely make again.
So glad you enjoyed it Swati! Thank you for letting me know 🙂 N x
I cannot get this printed…help thanks
Hi Carol! Hit the Print button on the recipe card, it should work! N x
It says one broccoli ball is 374 calories? That seems really high. Who is going to eat just one?
Just above the nutrition facts says a serving is for one third of the recipe.
Hi Nagi
This recipe looks great and judging by the comments a must try.
Am wondering if I double the recipe and made these in a mini loaf pans would I need to adjust cooking time for longer?
Also thanks for the GF option of almond meal
which I know as ground almonds.
Hi Karlene! I’m afraid I haven’t tried this in loaf pans, I would love to know if it works! Yes it will need longer, I think about 35 minutes 🙂
They are so high in carbs.
How would they come out with cauliflower my husband ie on blood thinner and can not eat broccoli for that will through his blood work out of wak
Hi Jean! It will work fine, just cook them until they are tender so they can be mushed like you see the broccoli being done 🙂 N x
This recipe is amazing! I added a tin of mashed chick peas as well and baked them for 20 mins and they were beautiful. Can’t wait to experiment with different spices as well 🙂
That’s so great to hear Katie! I’m so pleased you enjoyed this, thank you for letting me know! N x
Made these for dinner last night and was totally impressed. Such an easy recipe. The yoghurt sauce was divine and I have some left to use on other vegies tonight. Other half said I had to give you a review.
These were really delicious Nagi. Made mine with frozen broccoli and cauliflower, onion flakes instead of your fancy onions! And still very good. I recommend people paper towelling the veg especially if frozen first, or it’s pretty hard to combine! Thank you x
That’s terrific! So pleased you enjoyed this Amy – N x
Hi Nagi, these sound yum, but is there anything I can add to spice them up? Have tried your recipes and love them!!
Hi Shantelle! You mean spicy? In which case by all means, red pepper flakes or whatever you want! If you mean to add more layers of flavour – hmm. I would probably add lemon pepper and a 1/4 tsp paprika, and maybe some dried herbs like oregano! N x
I am not sure if I did something wrong but mine weren’t brown like the video. I did cook longer. Maybe too big of balls? Still tasted yummy!
HI Sue! It’s the cheese and oil spray that makes them go brown, what type did you use?? Glad you enjoyed them though! N x
I used cheddar cheese and olive oil. I did prepare in convection oven. I am going to try it again!
Just made these today. They were good but next time I think I will double everything. It could use more flavor. But will def keep in dinner rotation. Thanks!
So glad you enjoyed this Johanna! Thank you for letting me know. 🙂 Have a great weekend! N x
Super yummy. I couldn’t stop eating the.
Hi Nagi
Can I substitute the bread crumbs with something else like egg?
Btw love your recipes. Can’t wait to try them out!
Raeesa
Hi Raeesa! They are quite different – eggs vs bread crumbs! Why do you need to leave out breadcrumbs? if for dietary reasons I can give you other options!
My pregnant vegetarian sister and my one year old baby love these!! Great recipe, thank you.
I’ve made these a few times and always turn out well and so delicious. The lemon garlic dipping sauce works so well.
I volunteer at the local youth centre and we are always looking for yummy healthy alternatives to fried takeaway, this one is at the top of my list for our next cooking evening!
I love these brocoli cheese balls and will be making it for my vegetarian Mum for Mother’s Day. Do you know if they freeze well? I am wondering if it is better to assemble the balls and then freeze, or should I assemble and then cook before letting them cool and freezing? I just want to save time and not be in the kitchen so much this Mother’s Day!
Hi Allison! Definitely cook first then freeze. Thaw then pop in the oven for 5 minutes at 180C to reheat! N x
That sounds perfect Nagi, thank you. I have such a long list of your recipes that are now family favourites
I made this recipe tonight and it was just delicious.
The lemon yogurt sauce was to die for.
It is just so nice to have a tasty meal sometimes without meat.
It is a wonderful meal that we will have again and again.
Thank you so much Nagi for all the effort that you put into your recipes.
Your web site is the only one that I go to for wonderful family meals.
Kind regards.
Yesssss! So glad you enjoyed it Julie! N xx
This was fantastic! The real test was with my kids. I was looking for yummy sneaky ways to get my kids to eat healthy. My kids were BEGGING for more! Thanks for a real hit of a recipe!