Baked Broccoli Cheese Balls

Ingredients

• 2 cups fresh broccoli florets, finely chopped

• 1 cup panko breadcrumbs

• ¾ cup shredded cheddar cheese

• ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese

• 2 large eggs, beaten

• 1 small onion, finely chopped

• 2 cloves garlic, minced

• 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour

• 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped

• 1 tablespoon olive oil

• ¼ teaspoon salt

• ¼ teaspoon black pepper

• 1 teaspoon dried oregano

• Olive oil spray for coating

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper

2. Steam or boil broccoli florets for 5-7 minutes until tender, then drain thoroughly and let cool

3. Finely chop the cooked broccoli into small pieces (¼-inch or smaller) and transfer to a large mixing bowl

4. Add shredded cheddar cheese, Parmesan cheese, panko breadcrumbs, chopped onion, minced garlic, flour, parsley, olive oil, oregano, salt, and pepper to the bowl

5. Add beaten eggs and mix all ingredients thoroughly until well combined and the mixture holds together

6. Using your hands or an ice cream scoop, form the mixture into 15-18 balls using about 2 tablespoons of mixture per ball

7. Place the formed balls on the prepared baking sheet, ensuring they don’t touch each other

8. Lightly spray the tops of the balls with olive oil spray for extra crispiness

9. Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the balls are golden brown and crispy on the outside

10. Remove from oven and let cool for 5 minutes before serving

Serve warm as an appetizer, side dish, or snack. These broccoli cheese balls pair well with ranch dressing, marinara sauce, or a simple garlic yogurt dip. The recipe yields approximately 15-18 balls and serves 4-6 people.