Broccoli Cheese Balls
Crispy on the outside, cheesy and tender on the inside—Broccoli Cheese Balls are the ultimate snackable comfort food!
Servings: 14 servings
Calories: 190kcal
Equipment
- Heavy Pot
- Mixing Bowl
Ingredients
Ingredients
- 1.5 cups fresh broccoli florets heaping
- 1 cup shredded Colby cheese
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 4 oz Velveeta cut into small chunks
- 0.5 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
- 2.25 cups Panko breadcrumbs divided
- 1 large egg lightly beaten (for filling)
- 0.5 cup all-purpose flour
- 2 large eggs lightly beaten (for dredging)
- 1 tablespoon water for egg wash
- Vegetable or canola oil for frying
Instructions
- 1. Steam broccoli florets until just tender (about 3–4 minutes), then finely chop.
- 2. In a large bowl, combine broccoli, Colby, cheddar, Velveeta, red pepper flakes, ¼ cup Panko, and 1 egg. Mix until sticky and uniform.
- 3. Roll mixture into 12–14 balls using 1 tablespoon per ball. Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to firm.
- 4. Set up dredging station: flour in bowl 1, egg wash (2 eggs + 1 tbsp water) in bowl 2, and remaining Panko in bowl 3.
- 5. Heat 2 inches of oil in a heavy pot to 375°F.
- 6. Roll each ball in flour, dip in egg wash, and coat in Panko. Fry in small batches for 2–3 minutes until golden brown.
- 7. Drain on paper towels and serve warm with dipping sauces like ranch or spicy mayo.
Notes
Use finely chopped broccoli for best texture. Chill before frying to help balls hold their shape. For a baked version, cook at 400°F for 15–18 minutes, flipping halfway. Add extra red pepper for heat or swap cheeses for different flavor combos.
Nutrition
Calories: 190kcal | Fat: 12g