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
- Broccoli Gratin
- Super Quick Broccoli Pasta
- Broccoli Salad with Lighter Creamy Dressing
- Broccoli Fritters – plus Chicken Broccoli Fritters
- Easy Broccoli Cheese Soup
- Browse all Broccoli Recipes
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.
FYI, Gluten-free Panko bread crumbs are available in many markets where other GF products are sold.
Is the nutritional information including the dipping sauce or no?
Not including the dipping sauce sorry Tonya – N x
How do you prep the frozen broccoli?
Hi Mary, thaw and cook as per the recipe ❤️
Oh, these are the tastiest thing, ever! They smelled great, while they were cooking, and, I can’t stop eating them, even though I made them for later in the week! I thought I followed the recipe, exactly, but the “drain well” for the broccoli apparently didn’t compute. They were a bit wet, so I didn’t roll them into balls … they were more mound than ball. Regardless, they’re delicious … and, I’m eyeing the dozen that are left … 🙂
I’m so glad you enjoyed the mounds Chris 😂
Amazing! 🙏🏼 my family loves it.
Great Stephania!
made these broccoli meatballs, everyone lived them
I love the broccoli balls. My family all ate them. Even my picky eaters. Sauce not so my thing.
You could serve with anything really, I’m so happy your family loved them though!
Yum
☺️ Thanks Jana
Anyone ever make a cheese sauce for dipping with this?
I want the recipe
Hi Shirley, the recipe is on this page – are you unable to see it? N x
Hello,
I am interesed in freezing some as i don t think we will be able to finish them. Could it be done after banking the balls and before cooking? Thank you!
Hi Anca – Yes, it’s all mentioned in note 2 of the recipe notes ☺️
Bake at what temperature ?
Hi Lynn, 200C/390F for all oven types – as per the instructions. I hope you love them!
Is that Parmesan cheese?
I tend to use cheddar or tasty cheese for this recipe.
Hi. Is there a substitute for the eggs? I don’t eat eggs. Thanks.
I’m not sure for this one, sorry!
In the oven right now!!! Variation of yogurt lemon sauce already made. Waiting with knife and fork for these yummy veggies
Hope you love it Tickie! N x
Yes, they were a big hit–looked very pretty and delectable. A really nice way to dress up broccoli. Left overs heat perfectly too
My husband and I loved these veggie treats! 💕💕💕Every recipe you have published has been fantastic! Thanks so much. Could you please give Dozer a little love for me
Hey.. loved the taste of these.. thanks for posting it..
for some reason mine flattened out a bit and didn’t stay like balls, could you guess why!
Hi Lini! Did you drain the broccoli well?? If they are watery then they will make the mixture wetter 🙂 N x
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