Baked Broccoli Cheese Bites

Yellow cloth towel cradled around a serving tray with a plate of broccoli cheese bites and a bowl of garlic lemon yogurt dipping sauce ready to serve.

5 from 1 vote

These Broccoli Cheese Bites are a crowd-pleasing appetizer, crispy on the outside, cheesy on the inside, and paired with a zesty Garlic Lemon Yogurt Sauce for dipping. Perfect for parties, snacks, or a fun family dinner!

Course Appetizer, Snack

Cuisine American

Keyword broccoli cheese bites, healthy appetizer recipe

Prep Time 15

Cook Time 25

Total Time 40

Servings

Calories 191kcal

Ingredients

2 cups fresh broccoli (400g) 13oz, roughly chopped steamed to soft, cooked broccoli
1 cup breadcrumbs (60g), panko or Pepperidge Farms
2 large eggs (100g)
¾ cup shredded cheese (75g), Cheddar, Colby, or Gruyère
2 shallots finely sliced, or scallions
2 cloves garlic minced
¼ teaspoon salt
Black pepper to taste
Olive oil spray

Herby Garlic Lemon Yogurt Sauce

1 cup Greek Yogurt (227g)
½ Lemon Zest and Juice
2 cloves garlic finely minced
1 tablespoon basil fresh, chopped
1 tablespoon parsley fresh, chopped
1 tablespoon cilantro fresh coriander, chopped
1 teaspoon chives fresh, chopped
2 teaspoon extra virgin olive oil (10ml)
Salt and Pepper to taste

Instructions

Preheat Oven: Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C)
Prepare Sauce: In a small bowl, mix all the sauce ingredients with a spatula until well combined. Refrigerate to let the flavors meld while you prepare the broccoli bites.
Prepare Baking Tray: Line a baking tray with parchment paper.
Chop and cook broccoli: Pull apart a head of fresh broccoli into florets pieces, including stems.
Steam over boiling water for 3 minutes until bright green and tender. Remove, cool under cold tap water and drain well. Roughly chop into ¼” (.6cm) size pieces.
Mix Ingredients: Combine all ingredients (except the oil spray) in a large bowl. Mix and mash the ingredients together with both hands. I like to wear gloves while doing so.
Form Bites: Scoop with a small #30 scoop so they are shaped into balls (scoop diameter: 1.6inch/4cm, 1.5Tbsp/.8oz). Place on parchment lined tray/s, making 24 bite sized appetizer balls. Leave in a ball or press half-way flat.
Bake: Spray the bites with olive oil spray and bake for 25 minutes on400°F (200°C), or until golden and slightly crisp.
Serve: Serve the bites warm with the Herby Garlic Lemon Yogurt Sauce. Enjoy!

Notes

Broccoli: I prefer fresh broccoli, you can use frozen.
Bread Crumb Options: I like to use Pepperidge Farm Restaurant-Style Herb
Seasoned Classic Stuffing, or grind dried out leftover sour dough, or panko.
Make Ahead: Prepare and shape balls, refrigerate (not freeze), and bake when ready.
Store & Reheat: Cool bites, then store in an airtight container. Reheat in the microwave or oven (350°F/180°C for 5 minutes).
Freezing: These freeze well, thaw before reheating.
Gluten-Free Option: Substitute breadcrumbs with ¾ cup (75g) almond meal.

Enjoy these delightful Broccoli Cheese Bites as a healthier snack or appetizer that everyone will love!

Nutrition