Description
Crispy broccoli cheese balls deliver a delightful appetizer perfect for gatherings. Sharp cheddar and tender broccoli combine into golden-brown bite-sized treats that satisfy cheese and vegetable cravings in one satisfying morsel.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients (Cheese and Vegetables):
- 1 1/2 cups fresh broccoli florets
- 1 cup shredded Colby cheese
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 4 ounces Velveeta, cut into small chunks
Binding and Coating Ingredients:
- 2 eggs, lightly beaten
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
- 2 1/4 cups Panko crumbs, divided
- 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
Cooking Ingredient:
- Vegetable or canola oil (for frying)
Instructions
- Prepare broccoli by steaming florets until tender, then cool completely to room temperature.
- Mince cooled broccoli into fine, uniform pieces approximately 1/4-inch or smaller.
- Combine broccoli with cheeses, red pepper flakes, initial portion of Panko crumbs, and egg in a large mixing bowl, blending thoroughly until ingredients are evenly distributed.
- Craft uniform spherical portions using approximately one rounded tablespoon of mixture, creating 12-14 consistent balls.
- Chill formed balls in refrigerator for minimum 30 minutes to ensure structural integrity.
- Create three separate breading stations: one with flour, second with whisked eggs and water, third with remaining Panko crumbs.
- Heat vegetable oil in Dutch oven to precise 375°F, monitoring temperature with cooking thermometer.
- Roll each chilled ball sequentially through flour, egg wash, and Panko coating, ensuring complete coverage.
- Carefully lower breaded balls into hot oil, frying 4 at a time until achieving rich golden-brown exterior, approximately 3-4 minutes per batch.
- Transfer fried broccoli cheese balls onto paper towel-lined plate to absorb excess oil, then serve immediately while crisp and warm.
Notes
- Customize Cheese Selection Experiment with different cheese combinations like Gruyère, Parmesan, or goat cheese to create unique flavor profiles and accommodate various taste preferences.
- Reduce Oil Content Bake the broccoli cheese balls at 425°F for 20-25 minutes instead of frying, which cuts down on calories and provides a healthier alternative with similar crispy texture.
- Gluten-Free Adaptation Replace wheat flour and Panko crumbs with gluten-free alternatives like almond flour or gluten-free breadcrumbs to make the recipe suitable for those with gluten sensitivities.
- Vegetable Variation Swap broccoli with cauliflower or zucchini for a different vegetable base, maintaining the cheesy, crispy characteristics while offering nutritional variety.
- Prep Time: 45 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Appetizer, Snacks
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 12
- Calories: 180
- Sugar: 1 g
- Sodium: 350 mg
- Fat: 9 g
- Saturated Fat: 4 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 20 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 8 g
- Cholesterol: 50 mg