This easy recipe for Baked Broccoli and Cheddar Cheese Bites is a simple recipe to make. Whether you are making these for a side dish, or even a light meal, you will not be disappointed. Broccoli and cheese are the ultimate combination and these bites showcase it. This recipe also happens to be a great recipe for beginners. Let me show you how!
If you are looking for a main dish to go with this recipe? Let me share a few of my family’s favorites. Blackened pork tenderloin bites and cajun chicken bites are easy to make and with the broccoli and cheese bites make the perfect meal. If you are looking for something a little more fancy, but just as easy, how about cast iron filet mignon?
Ingredients
- Broccoli- this will be cut from the crowns and chopped finely.
- Grated cheddar cheese- I used a medium cheddar, but also love sharp cheddar.
- Regular bread crumbs- you can also use panko bread crumbs, but I prefer regular. The reason for this they are processed finer than panko and work better for a binding.
- Onions- Yellow or sweet onions are preferred in this recipe. They are finely minced.
- Egg- also used a binder with the bread crumbs.
- Garlic powder, salt and pepper- for extra seasoning.
How to make
Start by prepping the vegetables. Cut the broccoli from the crown into large pieces. Boil the broccoli for 3 minutes, don’t overcook it. Remove it from the pan and chill in a bowl of ice water (this is called blanching). Drain it thoroughly once it is chilled. Cut the florets into small pieces.
When this is done, mix the eggs in a small bowl, then combine with the other ingredients. Mix it well until it is all combined.
Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Form the broccoli mixture to small balls that are about 2 tablespoons of mix.
Move to the preheated oven and bake for about 15-20 minutes until the tops are golden brown. Remove from the oven and serve. We use my habanero ranch for a dipping sauce.
Variations
- Change up the cheese: Choose cheeses with a nice flavor. Swiss cheese, Monterey jack, gouda, and Pepper jack cheeses would all work well.
- Mix up the veggies: You could do these with a mixture of cauliflower and broccoli but they will not be quite as vibrant in color.
- Make them spicy: Add some hot sauce or red chili flakes to give it a little bit of zip.
Baked Broccoli and Cheddar Cheese Bites
Ingredients
- 3 cups broccoli
- ¾ cup bread crumbs
- 3 eggs- beaten
- 1 ¼ cup grated cheddar cheese
- ¼ cup finely minced onions
- 1 tablespoon minced garlic
- 1 ½ teaspoons salt
- ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 425 degrees and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Start by prepping the vegetables. Cut the broccoli from the crown into large pieces. Boil the broccoli for 3 minutes, don’t overcook it. Remove it from the pan and chill in a bowl of ice water. Drain it thoroughly once it is chilled. Cut the florets into small pieces.
- When this is done, mix the eggs in a small bowl, then combine with the other ingredients. Mix it well until it is all combined.
- Form the broccoli mixture to small balls that are about 2 tablespoons of mix.
- Move to the preheated oven and bake for about 15-20 minutes until the tops are golden brown. Remove from the oven and serve. We use my habanero ranch for a dipping sauce.
Did you make this recipe? Let me know!