Description
These Broccoli Cheese Balls are a delightful and cheesy appetizer that combines fresh broccoli with a blend of Colby, cheddar, and Velveeta cheeses. Fried to golden perfection, they are crispy on the outside and gooey on the inside. Perfect for parties or as a snack, these balls make vegetables irresistible!
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 ½ heaping cups fresh broccoli florets
- 1 cup shredded Colby cheese
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 4 oz Velveeta, cut into small chunks
- ½ tsp crushed red pepper flakes
- 2 ¼ cups Panko crumbs, divided
- 1 egg, lightly beaten
- ½ cup all-purpose flour
- 2 additional eggs, lightly beaten
- 1 tbsp water
- Vegetable or canola oil, for frying
Instructions
- Steam the Broccoli:
Steam broccoli until slightly softened, then let it cool. Finely chop broccoli into pieces about ¼-inch or smaller. - Prepare the Mixture:
In a large bowl, combine the chopped broccoli, Colby cheese, cheddar cheese, Velveeta, red pepper flakes, ¼ cup Panko crumbs, and 1 beaten egg. Mix well. - Shape the Balls:
Use about a rounded tablespoon of mixture for each ball, shaping it by hand. You should get around 12-14 balls. Place on a plate and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes. - Prepare Coating:
Set up three bowls for coating. Add flour to the first bowl. In the second bowl, mix the 2 lightly beaten eggs with 1 tablespoon of water. Place the remaining 2 cups of Panko crumbs in the third bowl. - Coat the Balls:
Remove broccoli balls from the refrigerator, coat each one in flour, then dip in the egg mixture, and finally roll in Panko crumbs. - Fry the Balls:
Pour about 2 inches of oil in a Dutch oven or heavy pot and heat to 375°F (190°C). Fry about 4 balls at a time, cooking until golden brown on all sides. Remove and drain on a paper towel-lined plate.
Enjoy these crispy, gooey, and cheesy broccoli balls as a tasty appetizer!
Notes
- Refrigerating the balls before frying helps them maintain their shape.
- Feel free to experiment with different cheese blends for unique flavors.
- Prep Time: 1 hour
- Cook Time: 15 mins
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 ball
- Calories: 130
- Sugar: 1g
- Sodium: 150mg
- Fat: 8g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 10g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 4g
- Cholesterol: 30mg