Crispy Broccoli Cheese Bites
These Crispy Broccoli Cheese Bites are golden on the outside, cheesy on the inside, and packed with fresh broccoli. Perfect as a snack, appetizer, or side dish, they're easy to bake, kid-friendly, and ready in just 35 minutes.
Prep Time15 minutes mins
Cook Time20 minutes mins
Total Time35 minutes mins
Keyword: Baked Broccoli Bites, Broccoli Cheese Balls, Cheesy Broccoli Bites, Crispy Broccoli Cheese Bites, Healthy Broccoli Snack
Servings: 18 Bytes
Calories: 165kcal
- 3 cups broccoli florets
- 1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- ½ cup Italian-style breadcrumbs
- 2 large eggs
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon paprika
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- Cooking spray or 1 tablespoon olive oil
Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C). Steam the broccoli for 3–4 minutes until just tender. Drain well, cool slightly, and finely chop.
In a large bowl, combine the chopped broccoli, cheddar cheese, Parmesan cheese, breadcrumbs, eggs, garlic, parsley, onion powder, paprika, salt, and black pepper. Mix until everything is evenly combined.
Using a cookie scoop or tablespoon, scoop the mixture and shape it into bite-sized balls or small patties. Arrange them on a parchment-lined baking sheet.
Lightly spray the bites with cooking spray or brush with olive oil. Bake for 20–25 minutes, flipping halfway through, until golden brown and crispy.
Allow the bites to cool for a few minutes. Serve warm with ranch dressing, garlic aioli, marinara sauce, or your favorite dipping sauce.
- Drain the broccoli thoroughly to prevent soggy bites.
- Finely chop the broccoli for the best texture.
- Freshly grated cheese melts better than pre-shredded cheese.
- Flip the bites halfway through baking for even browning.
- Chill the mixture for 10–15 minutes if it's too soft to shape.
- Air Fryer: Cook at 375°F for 10–12 minutes, flipping halfway through.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 3 bites
- Calories: 165 kcal
- Carbohydrates: 9g
- Protein: 10g
- Fat: 10g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Cholesterol: 65mg
- Sodium: 320mg
- Potassium: 240mg
- Fiber: 2g
- Sugar: 2g
- Vitamin A: 850 IU
- Vitamin C: 38mg
- Calcium: 210mg
- Iron: 1mg