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
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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.
Made these tonight for my 3 and 5 year old girls. They loved them!! So good with the yoghurt sauce!
I’m so pleased you enjoyed this Liz! Thanks for letting me know! N x
So I’m not sure what the recipe tastes like as -is because of a severe egg allergy in my house but to anyone else who has a similar issue, I made these with a egg replacer (Bobs Red Mill has one) and they came out great!!
Thank you for a great recipe! Will definitely try another suggestion to mix cauliflower and broccoli next time 🙂
Hi Nagi,
I was looking for a broccoli appetizer recipe and came across this one.
It just seemed too simple and quick… but the results were amazing. My family loved it and it was the most popular item on the dinner tonight (of course we tweaked it a bit to suit our cooking methods, like we pan fried the broccoli mix).
The best part, its quite easy and fast to make. I am sure I will have most requests for making this delicious dish!
Good one! Look forward to trying more of your recipes.
Thanks
Arpana
That’s so great to hear Arpana! Thank you for letting me know you enjoyed this – N x ❤️
Do these expand when baked? I doubled the recipe and have 36 on 1 baking tray?
Naji I combined cauliflower Rice and Broccoli equal parts but used almond flour instead of bread crumbs and
they turned out terrific. Also I put lemon on the balls once they came out of the oven and the taste without
the sauce was amazing.
Yesssss!!! so glad to hear that Naz! N x ❤️
Seriously, you have done it again. You are such an incredible resource for yummy comfort food that is not too fussy to make, Nagi. I made these last night, exactly as the recipe stated, although I doubled everything, anticipating loving them and sharing them. Fresh out of the oven, they were PERFECT. Sweetly crunchy on the bottom, a little crisp on the top, and SO DELICIOUS inside. The balance of broccoli with the cheese, scallions, and panko is just right. I’m going to freeze a few to see how they do to practice for future dinner parties! Thank you, Nagi!
That’s terrific to hear Mimi! Thank you for taking the time to leave a review – N x
Toooo much garlic but nice recipe!
do you have this recipe with out eggs . i have allergy to eggs
Sorry Maureen, it needs eggs to bind the mixture 🙂 N x
I wonder if Chia or Flax eggs would work just as well as an egg.
Hmm, interesting idea Ellen! I’m afraid I don’t know the answer to that though, sorry! N x
What can I use instead of Panko breadcrumbs……. not good for a lchf diet.
Hi Sue, please see note 4 for a suggestion 🙂
Can you please clarify the carbohydrate count for this recipe?? I don’t see how it can be 42 carbs for one piece. Thanks much!!
If using frozen broccoli, should you defrost before? Any cooking? Thanks!
Yes defrost and if it’s raw yes it needs to be cooked until soft, per recipe 🙂 N x
I made these for supper last night. aMAZing! I wish i could post a photo, here. I used cornflake crumbs instead of panko, as that’s what I had & light sour cream as dip. YUM! Will definatly be making again!
That’s terrific to hear Jenny! I’m so pleased to hear that. 🙂 N xx
Can these be frozen once baked
Gosh! I hadn’t thought of that but I don’t see why not, they are so juicy they will reheat great!
What about using Califlower instead? What changes would you suggest?
Just follow the recipe! 🙂 Cauliflower is fantastic in this N xx
Cauliflower might be a little moister? I bet roasted vegetables would be very tasty?
YUM!
Excellent recipe ! I used my small scooper for making the balls and firmed them up with my hand. They baked up well and were perfectly soft inside. I used a horseradish cream sauce for dipping instead. These are a keeper for certain !
That’s so great to hear Suzanne! Thank you for letting me know! N xx
I am (as we speak) making these…your post made my mouth water so I had to run out and shop…12 min left till the oven timer goes off ….anticipation is killing…lol.
Hope you loved it Tracey! N xx
Hi Nagi, we both loved these. I used fresh broccoli from the garden, but unfortunately didn’t have any spring onions (as they are called over here in the West, so used some onion flakes and added a few fiery chilli flakes. Will try the spring onions next time though. Thanks
I’m pleased to hear you enjoyed it Alma, thanks for letting me know! N xx
Love these! Great as snack or with a meal. I’ve made them twice now, and both times ate 1/2 batch right out of the oven and the rest the next day. Only thing I did differently was to use the yellow onion I usually have on hand instead of scallions, and coconut oil spray instead of olive oil. Oh, and no dip.
Glad to hear you enjoy these as much as I do Donna! Thanks for letting me know – N xx
These were delish and super easy to make
WHOOT! So pleased you enjoyed it Lisa 🙂 I’m planning to turn these into fritters with chicken added, and maybe more veg, round them out into a chicken meal, still baked. What do you think?? N xx
Please do so. I am always looking for new recipes with chicken. Sounds like it will be great.
Done! –> https://salesdock.info/baked-cheesy-broccoli-chicken-patties/%3C/a%3E%3C/p%3E
Can I much the ingredients and let them sit in refrigerator over night?
Hmm, I haven’t thought of that, I’m worried the balls might fall apart, but the mixture could definitely be mixed up the day before. 🙂 Hope that helps! N xx
Oh yes please – I think that is a fabulous idea!!!!
I doubled the recipe and made these when my vegetarian niece came to Ireland. All gone…between 3 adults and a very picky teenager!
WHOOT! So pleased everyone enjoyed these Laura, thanks for letting me know! N xx
Made these with the lemon yoghurt for a workplace farewell – gone in minutes with lots of compliments !!!!! These are neck & neck with your greek zucchini tots Nagi
WOAH! Now that IS high praise, I love those zucchini tots!! So pleased you were able to bask in the praise of your colleagues 😉 N x