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.
James says
Is there any way to substitute the eggs? My son has an egg allergy. Thank you!
Nagi says
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
Pk says
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 !
Nagi says
I’m so glad they worked out for you Pk, thanks so much for letting me know!
Tara says
Hi Nagi – these sound amazing! Can you eat them cold? Just wondering if they would suit for a picnic? Thanks!
Nagi says
yes 100% Tara!! N x
Lynn Thompson says
These are excellent! The dipping sauce is a must.
Nagi says
YES! I’m so glad you enjoyed them Lynn!
Eva says
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.
Liza says
Love this recipe! Made batches of them for a couple of years now. Doing them again this year for a Christmas gathering.
Nagi says
That’s awesome to hear Liza!
Ed says
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
Nagi says
I’m so glad you both enjoyed it Ed!
Sue says
I have not made these yet, but I will! They remind me of vegetable pakora which I love!
Nagi says
I hope you love them Sue!
Kristin S says
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!
Nagi says
Oh that’s a great idea Kristin!!
Joy says
I’m planning to sub Pork Panko to bring the carb count waaaay down!
Barbara says
Serving size 1? 374 calories?
Kasia says
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 🙂
Nagi says
Hi Kasia, that doesn’t sound right, I can’t imagine what would have made it sour?!
Janet Mitchell says
Im thinking I could use cauliflower instead maybe ? I have a cauliflower to use up !
Nagi says
Yes definitely Janet!
Barb says
These were AMAZING! My only change would be to double the recipe 😉
Nagi says
Perfect Barb!
Angels D says
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!!!
Nagi says
Sounds amazing Angels!
gillian noonan says
I want to know whether you can make them into rissole size balls
Nagi says
I prefer to make them slightly smaller so they cook the whole way through 🙂
Joanne Dunne says
G’day!
Haven’t cooked this recipe yet as l’m allergic to eggs🙄😢
Just wondering if a flax seed egg replacement will work with recipe?. Any advice will be much appreciated.
Cheers! Jo
LeslieMaria says
I made these with flaxseed meal egg replacement (1 Tbsp flaxseed meal and 3 Tbsp water, let sit for 5 minutes) and they came out delicious and the texture was amazing
Nagi says
I haven’t tried yet Joanne, I’d love to know if it works though!
LAURA says
I haven’t made these yet but plan to on Wed. Anyway, I am commenting because my dog’s name is Dozer as well so your article really caught my attention. Four legged babies you gotta love them.
Nagi says
Yes, they are the best creatures aren’t they!!
Genevieve says
Made these today and they were picky toddler approved! Had them as a main with salad. Thanks for another awesome recipe!
Carol Ledford says
FYI, Gluten-free Panko bread crumbs are available in many markets where other GF products are sold.
Tonya says
Is the nutritional information including the dipping sauce or no?
Nagi says
Not including the dipping sauce sorry Tonya – N x
Mary says
How do you prep the frozen broccoli?
Nagi says
Hi Mary, thaw and cook as per the recipe ❤️