Baked Broccoli Cheese Balls with Garlic Lemon Yoghurt Sauce Recipe
These Baked Broccoli Cheese Balls are a delicious and healthy appetizer or snack made with tender cooked broccoli, melty cheese, and crispy panko breadcrumbs. Baked instead of fried, they’re a lighter alternative that still delivers a satisfying crunch. Served with a zesty garlic lemon yoghurt sauce, these are perfect for parties, lunchboxes, or a flavorful vegetarian treat.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: About 18-20 broccoli cheese balls
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
Baked Broccoli Cheese Balls
- 2 cups (packed) roughly chopped soft cooked broccoli (well drained) (~400g/13 oz raw broccoli)
- 1 cup panko breadcrumbs
- 2 eggs
- ¾ cup shredded cheese (Cheddar, Colby or Tasty cheese)
- 2 shallots / scallions, finely sliced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- ¼ tsp salt
- Black pepper, to taste
- Olive oil spray
Garlic Lemon Yoghurt Sauce
- 2/3 cup plain yoghurt
- Zest of 1/2 lemon
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
- ½ garlic clove, minced
- 2 tsp extra virgin olive oil (adjust to taste, depends on fat % of yoghurt used)
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Prepare the Broccoli: Cook the broccoli until soft (steamed or boiled), then drain thoroughly to remove excess water. Roughly chop and place in a large mixing bowl.
- Mix Ingredients: Add the panko breadcrumbs, eggs, shredded cheese, finely sliced shallots, minced garlic, salt, and black pepper to the bowl with the broccoli. Mix well to combine until the mixture holds together but is still moist.
- Form Balls: Using your hands, shape the mixture into small balls about 1 to 1.5 inches in diameter, making sure they are compact.
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Line a baking tray with parchment paper and lightly spray with olive oil to prevent sticking.
- Bake the Broccoli Cheese Balls: Arrange the balls evenly spaced on the prepared baking tray. Spray the tops lightly with olive oil. Bake for about 20-25 minutes, turning halfway through, until golden and crispy on the outside.
- Prepare Garlic Lemon Yoghurt Sauce: Meanwhile, in a small bowl, combine the plain yoghurt, lemon zest, lemon juice, minced garlic, extra virgin olive oil, salt, and pepper. Stir well and adjust seasoning to taste.
- Serve: Serve the baked broccoli cheese balls warm alongside the garlic lemon yoghurt dipping sauce.
Notes
- Ensure broccoli is well drained to prevent overly wet mixture, which can cause balls to fall apart.
- You can substitute cheese types with your preferred melty cheese like mozzarella or gouda.
- For gluten-free option, use gluten-free breadcrumbs.
- Adjust garlic in the sauce according to your taste preference.
- These can be reheated in the oven for a few minutes to regain crispiness.
