Crispy Baked Broccoli Cheese Balls

Instructions:

1. Prep the Broccoli: Bring a pot of salted water to a boil. Add the broccoli florets and cook for 2 minutes. Drain thoroughly and chop finely.
2. Combine Ingredients: In a large bowl, combine the cooked broccoli, panko breadcrumbs, grated cheese, chopped spring onions, crushed garlic, beaten egg, salt, and pepper. Mix well.
   Chill: Cover the bowl and refrigerate for 20 minutes to allow the flavors to meld.
3. Shape the Balls: Using a small spoon, scoop out portions of the mixture and roll into small balls. Aim for about
4. 26 balls.
   Bake: Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Arrange the broccoli cheese balls on the sheet. Spray lightly with low-calorie cooking spray.
5. First Bake: Bake in a preheated oven at 200°C (400°F) for 10 minutes.
6. Flip and Bake: Carefully flip the balls over. Spray again with cooking spray. Bake for an additional 10 minutes, or until golden brown and crispy.
7. Enjoy! These delicious broccoli cheese balls are perfect as a snack, appetizer, or side dish

Tips:

For extra flavor, add a pinch of dried herbs like oregano or thyme.
You can use gluten-free breadcrumbs for a grain-free option.
Serve with your favorite light dipping sauce, such as a light garlic dip or a spicy sriracha mayo.
Air Fryer Instructions

Ingredients:

• 300g raw broccoli florets
• 25g panko breadcrumbs
• 50g grated low-fat cheddar cheese
• 2 spring onions (chopped)
• 2 cloves garlic (crushed)
• 1 beaten egg
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp pepper

Instructions:

• Prep the Broccoli: Bring a pot of salted water to a boil. Add the broccoli florets and cook for 2 minutes. Drain thoroughly and chop finely.
• Combine Ingredients: In a large bowl, combine the cooked broccoli, panko breadcrumbs, grated cheese, chopped spring onions, crushed garlic, beaten egg, salt, and pepper. Mix well.
• Chill: Cover the bowl and refrigerate for 20 minutes to allow the flavors to meld.
• Shape the Balls: Using a small spoon, scoop out portions of the mixture and roll into small balls. Aim for about 26 balls.
• Air Fry:
• Line the air fryer basket with parchment paper. This will make cleanup much easier.
• Arrange the broccoli cheese balls in a single layer in the basket.
• Air fry at 190-200°C (375-390°F) for 8-10 minutes, flipping halfway through cooking.
• Keep a close eye on them as air fryers can vary slightly in temperature. You want them to be golden brown and
• crispy.
• Serve: Remove from the air fryer and let cool slightly before serving.

Tips:

1. Spraying is optional: While some recipes call for spraying the balls with oil, you might not need to with the air fryer. The natural oils in the cheese will help them crisp up.
2. Adjust cooking time: The exact cooking time will depend on your air fryer model and how many balls you’re cooking at once. Start with the shorter time and increase if needed.
3. For extra crispiness: You can lightly dredge the balls in a little extra panko before air frying.