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
- 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.
Sandra says
What could I substitute the cooking spray with? Thanks
Nagi says
Hi Sandra! Little drizzle of oil will work just fine! 🙂 N x
Vicky says
Maybe melt some butter and brush lightly on balls???
Cheryl M Billiter says
— LOVE THEM – I didn’t add the salt (kidney issues) but they do need the sald – figured with the cheese that I would be fine not adding salt — for the rest of you who can handle adding a little salt – ADD it! LOL ….. LOVE the yogurt dressing .. a little odd mixture of flavors but refreshing – I am sure these would be a huge hit at a gathering – will definitely make again. 🙂
Nagi says
AWESOME!!! So pleased to hear that Cheryl, thanks for letting me know! N xx
Marcia says
Just made these along with the lemon yogurt sauce. So delicious! One issue: I should have watched the video again and chopped my broccoli much more finely before adding to the mixture. As a result, I ended up having a bit of a challenge getting my chunks of broccoli to form into nicely packed balls. However, once they were cooked, they held together just fine despite my error. Nice surprise! Love the crispy exterior and soft interior.
I first dipped them in the yogurt sauce and loved that lemony contrast, and then I thought “Mustard!” Tried them with a little Dijon and that was equally delicious. I’d serve these to guests in a heartbeat, whether as an appetizer or part of an entree. Thanks Nagi!
Nagi says
Whoot!!!! So pleased to hear that Marcia! The thing with this recipe is that the broccoli is cooked until soft so it kind of “mashes” together when forming the rolls. So it didn’t really matter if you didn’t chop the broccoli finely enough! N xx
Marcia says
Yep, I finally realized I just hadn’t cooked the broccoli quite to the “mushy” stage. Still, they sure turned out great! This recipe is a keeper. Thanks again, Nagi.
Cheryl M Billiter says
Nagi how DO you find the time to respond to each comment!!!??? I am making these in an hour or so! Can’t wait – thanks for sharing the recipe… 🙂
Nagi says
I make it a priority in my daily tasks 🙂 I think if people take the time to write in or have a question about a recipe, given that this is what I do as my full time job, I should always respond! N xx
Jodi Paige Christou says
Is this scallions or shallots? Or both
Nagi says
It’s scallions. Scallions are also called shallots as well as green onions. It is confusing! 🙂 N xx
Jacqui says
What are the carbs if you use almond meal instead of panto breadcrumbs?
Nagi says
Hi Jacqui! Reduces to 17g – added nutrition into the notes 🙂
Linda says
I made this for a party and it was really good! I didn’t have yogurt so I just had ranch dipping for sauce which was fine but I like the aioli sauce idea from another’s comment! I would try that next time. I put cooked broccoli in food processor so it had even texture. They rolled well and looked beautiful! A nice “different” appetizer from the normal usuals. Everybody loved them!
Nagi says
That’s so fantastic to hear Linda! So pleased that everyone enjoyed these! N xx
Moizee says
Made these just in time to watch an AFL game and loved them! I used almond meal instead of panco bread crumbs as I don’t eat wheat or rice products. Highly recommended. Thank you for the recipe! 😀
Nagi says
WHOOT!!!!!
Dearnne Stansfield says
Am I able to use normal breadcrumbs?
Nagi says
Yep! You sure can 🙂
Fiona Jones says
Ok, Nagi… what the WHAT!?!?! These were so good my husband & I devoured the whole batch in one sitting. I didn’t have the ingredients for the yogurt-lemon sauce, so I made a horseradish aioli which was pretty tasty. I don’t love broccoli, but my husband does, so I’m always happy to find brocco recipes that we both enjoy.
It’s funny given that we live in different hemispheres, but you frequently post recipes that include ingredients that I’ve just had delivered from our lovely, local produce service, including this one.
Thanks for providing fairly simple, delicious recipes that never fail to please. I look forward to adding this to my party repertoire as well.
Hope Dozer’s paw is feeling better. He lives a pretty plush life but still… that face!
Cheers to you both!
Nagi says
I love hearing that Fiona!!! Especially that you made this with your fab local produce 🙂 Dozer is all good, thankfully, he was becoming a nightmare with over 2 weeks of no exercise at all, not even a little walk!!
Pam D. says
A friend posted your recipe on Facebook and I am intrigued! Question though- It appears the balls are approximately one rounded tablespoon and yield 15. Is this correct? I look forward to making them for a Canada Day celebration and I may have to double or triple the recipe.
Nagi says
Hi Pam! It is one rounded tablespoon PACKED. 🙂 The mixture looks like there is a lot more because it’s fluffed up, it is about 30% less when pressed into balls. 🙂
Pam Dickson says
Thank you kindly Nagi I will be making these sweeties this weekend!
alex henderson says
These broccoli cheese balls are great and made another batch for tonight’s meal by special request by all – thank you
Nagi says
Now that is a HIGH PRAISE!!! 🙂 So pleased to hear that Alex, thanks for letting me know! N xx
Diana says
WOW Nagi !!!! These broccoli cheese balls were absolutely fantastic !!!! Great taste and so easy and quick to make without the fuss of frying !!!! Love that they baked so well with just a quick spray of oil. So good that I’ll need to do a double recipe next cook. LOL Thank you so much for sharing your awesome recipes. Straight forward, no fuss, sensible cooking for awesome tasting meals !!!!
Nagi says
Fantastic! So pleased to hear that Diana, thank you for letting me know! N xx
Christina says
Just made these, had no shallots so left them out, added a little more bread crumbs and another egg. SO SO GOOD!!!
Nagi says
Fantastic! So pleased to hear that Christina, thank you for letting me know! N xx
Mary says
The nutritional contents say 374 calories for 1 serving. Is that for the whole recipe?
Nagi says
Hi Mary! Nope, it’s for 1/3 of the recipe which is 1 serving as a meal. 🙂 N xx
cathy says
I’m on a low carb what can be used in place of bread crumbs as a binder
Nagi says
Hi Cathy! How about almond meal? I think 3/4 cup should suffice. 🙂
Moizee says
I did make them with 3/4 cup almond meal and they came out great! 😊
Lynn says
Love that you adapted!! Thank you! Now, I too can make!
sam says
These look absolutely incredible! I can’t wait to make these. Drooling already. Thanks for the nutritional baked option, when I first clicked I thought no way can these be healthy-ish… but you did it!
Nagi says
Aww thanks Sam! 🙂 It’s amazing how a little cheese can go SO FAR without blowing the calorie metre! 😉 N xx
Helen @ scrummy Lane says
These are right up my street, Nagi. Sometimes I feel like a closet vegetarian.
I like the sound of the salad you served them with too.
P.s. We have packed up and shipped our stuff to Oz TODAY!!! Let me tell you it was a challenge with a 4-month-old, but we did it!
Nagi says
NO WAY!!!! Promise me you’ll email me with your contact number when you settle in, I want to speak to you!!
Deborah says
🙂 Love reading your posts, Nagi, and collecting your awesome recipes. I am definitely making these
for my young grandson. 🙂
Hugs for dear Dozer
Nagi says
Dear Dozer accepted hug gratefully. He is being very sulky!
Malika A. Black says
You are so funny Nagi, I love reading your posts!
Well these broccoli meatballs are another healthy recipe. Rice and yogurt sauce with lemon and garlic are a great way to serve them. I’m thinking they would be great in a sandwich too like we do with falafel.
My daughter is going to love these. Broccoli is one of the rare vegetables she can eat. She calls it little trees hehe
Nagi says
That’s EXACTLY WHAT I WAS THINKING!!! I actually did use leftovers to stuff into pita! Your daughter… SO STINKING CUTE! Little trees! 😂