Description
Fried broccoli and cheese balls make perfect bite-sized snacks when hunger strikes and you crave something crispy and cheesy. Packed with green goodness and melted cheese, these golden-brown morsels deliver a satisfying crunch that keeps your taste buds dancing.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 3 cups broccoli
- 1 cup cheddar cheese
- ½ cup Parmesan cheese
Supporting Ingredients:
- ¾ cup breadcrumbs
- 2 eggs
- 2 garlic cloves
Seasoning Ingredients:
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- Optional: red pepper flakes
- Oil for frying
Instructions
- Cook 3 cups of broccoli until tender, then drain completely and chop into ultra-fine pieces. Squeeze out every drop of excess moisture with a clean kitchen towel.
- Combine the finely chopped broccoli with 1 cup cheddar cheese, ½ cup Parmesan, ¾ cup panko breadcrumbs, 2 minced garlic cloves, ¼ teaspoon black pepper, ½ teaspoon salt, and ½ teaspoon onion powder in a large mixing bowl.
- Crack 2 large eggs into the mixture and blend thoroughly until all ingredients are evenly distributed.
- Shape the mixture into compact balls measuring 1 to 1.5 inches in diameter. Ensure your hands are slightly damp to prevent sticking.
- Refrigerate the formed balls for 15-30 minutes to help them maintain their shape during cooking.
- Pour vegetable oil into a deep skillet, heating to 350°F. Ensure the oil is deep enough to cover half the balls.
- Carefully lower the chilled broccoli balls into the hot oil, working in small batches to prevent overcrowding.
- Fry each batch for 2-3 minutes, rotating occasionally to achieve an even golden-brown exterior.
- Transfer the crispy balls to a paper towel-lined plate to absorb excess oil and drain.
- Serve immediately while hot and crisp, paired with your preferred dipping sauce.
Notes
- Remove as much moisture from the broccoli as possible to prevent soggy balls and ensure a crisp exterior.
- Chilling the mixture helps the balls hold together during frying, creating a more stable and uniform shape.
- Use a mix of cheeses for deeper flavor complexity and better melting properties.
- For a gluten-free version, swap breadcrumbs with almond flour or crushed gluten-free crackers.
- Prep Time: 20-30 minutes
- Cook Time: 12-26 minutes
- Category: Fried
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 210 kcal
- Sugar: 1 g
- Sodium: 350 mg
- Fat: 14 g
- Saturated Fat: 6 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
- Trans Fat: 0.1 g
- Carbohydrates: 12 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 12 g
- Cholesterol: 90 mg