Savory appetizers or sneaky veggie treats for your kids? You decide!
There are plenty of things in life that serve more than one purpose. Lemons, for instance. They can flavor your food or drink, but they’re also great juiced for cleaning and sanitizing. In my house growing up, our freezer had a few jobs, too. One: storing leftovers and frozen foods. And two: it’s where my parents kept extra cash. For real!
Broccoli bites fall into that same multitasking category. They’re tasty little appetizers, but they also double as a sneaky way to get kids to eat more veggies. Broccoli bites are meatball-sized morsels made of chopped broccoli, cheese, and seasonings, all held together with breadcrumbs and beaten egg. Baked until they’re soft on the inside and crispy on the outside, they can be popped straight into your mouth or dipped in ranch or cheese sauce. Totally delicious, and, in the eyes of picky eaters, a far cry from bland steamed broccoli!
You’ll love making broccoli bites because they’re simple, made with real, fresh broccoli (chock-full of health benefits), and wonderfully versatile. They’re also perfect for prepping ahead. Simply mix the broccoli and other ingredients, shape into balls, refrigerate, and bake the next day as directed. However you decide to serve them, broccoli bites are a fun, flavorful way to enjoy this healthy cruciferous veggie.
Tasty add-ins
Want to add even more flavor to these tasty broccoli bites? Consider stirring chopped olives or sun-dried tomatoes through the mixture. A handful of freshly chopped herbs such as dill, parsley, or chives will also work wonders for this recipe. Like a little heat? Consider adding a finely chopped red chili or a dash of cayenne pepper. For a bit of crunch, add in a small handful of chopped walnuts.
Also, feel free to tweak the recipe as you wish. You can try different cheeses, such as Gouda or Swiss, for example, and you can use scallions or red onions instead of regular onions.
How do I store leftovers?
Leftover broccoli bites store well in the fridge for up to 4 days. To reheat and enjoy them later, just microwave them for about 30 seconds or, even better, stick them in the air fryer set at 375°F for about 4-5 minutes to recrisp them. You can also freeze broccoli bites. Place them on a baking sheet and flash-freeze for about 30 minutes. Then transfer them to a resealable freezer bag. Freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight before reheating using the same methods as above.
Serving suggestions
Broccoli bites are a great addition to an appetizer spread at your next party or game-day gathering. They go well with any of the classic appetizers like this Delicious Spinach Artichoke Dip or Buffalo Chicken Wings. Alternatively, serve them as a side dish to mains like Southern Mac And Cheese or chicken fingers. Lastly, don’t forget the dip! Our family likes broccoli bites with ranch dip, but cheese sauce or marinara sauce works well, too.
Broccoli Bites
Ingredients
- 2 cups steamed or boiled broccoli finely chopped
- 2 large eggs
- 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1 cup breadcrumbs
- 1/3 cup finely chopped onion
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
- Cooking spray or oil for baking sheet
- Preferred dipping sauce for serving
Instructions
- Place the broccoli, eggs, shredded cheddar cheese, mozzarella cheese, breadcrumbs, chopped onion, minced garlic, salt, pepper, and vegetable oil in a bowl.
- Stir the mixture until everything is well combined.
- Preheat your oven to 400°F.
- Lightly grease a baking sheet with cooking spray or oil.
- Scoop about a tablespoon of the mixture and form it into a small ball or patty. Place it on the prepared baking sheet.
- Bake the broccoli bites for 20-25 minutes, or until golden brown.
- Allow the bites to cool slightly before serving. Enjoy with your preferred dipping sauce.
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