Golden Broccoli Cheddar Bites
These delightful Golden Broccoli Cheddar Bites are crispy on the outside, tender on the inside, and bursting with cheesy broccoli flavor. Perfect as an appetizer or a healthy snack.
Equipment
- Large mixing bowl
- Steamer or Pot
- Baking sheet
- Parchment paper
- Skillet
- Paper towels
Ingredients
Broccoli Cheddar Bites
- 1 pound Fresh or Frozen Broccoli chopped into small florets
- 1 cup Sharp Cheddar Cheese shredded
- ½ cup Parmesan Cheese grated
- 1 Large Egg beaten
- ½ cup Panko Breadcrumbs (plus extra if needed)
- ¼ cup All-Purpose Flour
- 1 teaspoon Garlic Powder
- ½ teaspoon Onion Powder
- ½ teaspoon Salt or to taste
- ¼ teaspoon Black Pepper or to taste
- Olive Oil or Cooking Spray For baking or pan-frying
Instructions
Preparation
- Steam or blanch fresh broccoli until tender-crisp, or thaw and squeeze water from frozen broccoli, and then finely chop it.
- Combine the chopped broccoli with cheddar, Parmesan, egg, breadcrumbs, flour, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper in a large mixing bowl.
- Mix thoroughly until the mixture is firm enough to hold its shape, adding more breadcrumbs if needed.
- Roll the mixture into golf-ball-sized spheres and place them on a parchment-lined baking sheet.
Cooking Methods
- To bake, preheat oven to 375°F (190°C), spray balls with oil, and bake for 18-22 minutes until golden brown, flipping once.
- To pan-fry, heat ½ inch of olive oil in a skillet over medium heat, then carefully fry balls for 3-4 minutes per side until golden and crispy, draining on paper towels.
Notes
For extra flavor, consider adding a pinch of red pepper flakes to the mixture. These bites can be made ahead and frozen; simply reheat in the oven until warmed through and crispy.