Crispy Baked Broccoli Cheese Balls: Better Than Takeout

Crispy on the outside, gooey on the inside, these Baked Broccoli Cheese Balls are the ultimate game night snack. After making them dozens of times, I’ve discovered the trick to getting them perfectly crispy every time. The secret? Baking them at a high temperature and using panko breadcrumbs. Keep reading for my best tips, or jump to the recipe card. If you love recipes like this, you’ll also enjoy Iowa Party Bites and Korean BBQ Steak Rice Bowls.

What You'll Need for Crispy Baked Broccoli Cheese Balls: Better Than Takeout

Choosing the right ingredients makes a big difference, but this recipe is forgiving enough to work with what you have.

• 2 cups finely chopped broccoli
• 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
• 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
• 2 large eggs
• 2 cups panko breadcrumbs
• Salt
• Black pepper
• Garlic powder
• Parmesan cheese
• Optional: Marinara sauce
• Optional: Ranch dressing
• Optional: Hot sauce

How to Make Crispy Baked Broccoli Cheese Balls: Better Than Takeout

1. Prepare broccoli: Finely chop 2 cups of broccoli and set aside.
2. Combine ingredients: In a large bowl, mix chopped broccoli, 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese, 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese, 1/2 cup all-purpose flour, 1/2 teaspoon salt, 1/4 teaspoon black pepper, and 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder.
3. Form cheese balls: Roll the broccoli mixture into bite-sized balls, about 1 inch in diameter.
4. Prepare egg wash: In a shallow bowl, beat 2 large eggs.
5. Coat cheese balls: Dip each cheese ball into the beaten eggs, then coat with 2 cups of panko breadcrumbs.
6. Bake: Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C) and place the coated cheese balls on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Bake for 15-20 minutes or until golden and crispy.

Storing & Reheating Crispy Baked Broccoli Cheese Balls: Better Than Takeout

Short-Term Storage

Store in an airtight container in the fridge. Store leftover cheese balls in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Make-ahead tip: You can prepare the cheese balls up to 1 day ahead. Store them in the refrigerator, then bake as directed.

Freezing Crispy Baked Broccoli Cheese Balls: Better Than Takeout

Freeze uncooked cheese balls on a parchment-lined baking sheet, then transfer to an airtight container for up to 2 months. Bake from frozen at 425°F (220°C) for 20-25 minutes.

How to Reheat Without Drying It Out

Oven: Reheat cheese balls in the oven at 350°F (180°C) for 10-15 minutes or until heated through. Microwave: Reheat cheese balls in the microwave for 20-30 seconds or until heated through. Be careful, as the cheese can become very hot.

Recipe Notes

• Chef tip: For a spicy kick, add 1/4 teaspoon of cayenne pepper to the broccoli mixture.
• Best substitution: Substitute the broccoli with finely chopped cauliflower for a lower-carb option.
• Make-ahead: You can prepare the cheese balls up to 1 day ahead. Store them in the refrigerator, then bake as directed.
• Scaling: This recipe can be easily doubled or tripled to serve a larger crowd.
• Troubleshooting: If your cheese balls are not crispy enough, try increasing the oven temperature to 450°F (230°C) and baking for an additional 5 minutes.

Crispy Baked Broccoli Cheese Balls: Better Than Takeout

⏱

Prep

15 mins

🍳

Cook

20 mins

⏳

Total

35 mins

🍽

Serves

4 servings

🥗

Diet

Gluten-free

Ingredients

Main Ingredients

• 2 cups finely chopped broccoli
• 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
• 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
• 2 large eggs
• 2 cups panko breadcrumbs

Seasonings

• Salt
• Black pepper
• Garlic powder
• Parmesan cheese

Optional Toppings

• Marinara sauce
• Ranch dressing
• Hot sauce

Instructions

1. Prepare broccoli: Finely chop 2 cups of broccoli and set aside.
2. Combine ingredients: In a large bowl, mix chopped broccoli, 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese, 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese, 1/2 cup all-purpose flour, 1/2 teaspoon salt, 1/4 teaspoon black pepper, and 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder.
3. Form cheese balls: Roll the broccoli mixture into bite-sized balls, about 1 inch in diameter.
4. Prepare egg wash: In a shallow bowl, beat 2 large eggs.
5. Coat cheese balls: Dip each cheese ball into the beaten eggs, then coat with 2 cups of panko breadcrumbs.
6. Bake: Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C) and place the coated cheese balls on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Bake for 15-20 minutes or until golden and crispy.

Notes

• Chef tip: For a spicy kick, add 1/4 teaspoon of cayenne pepper to the broccoli mixture.
• Best substitution: Substitute the broccoli with finely chopped cauliflower for a lower-carb option.
• Make-ahead: You can prepare the cheese balls up to 1 day ahead. Store them in the refrigerator, then bake as directed.
• Scaling: This recipe can be easily doubled or tripled to serve a larger crowd.
• Troubleshooting: If your cheese balls are not crispy enough, try increasing the oven temperature to 450°F (230°C) and baking for an additional 5 minutes.

Storage

• Fridge: Store leftover cheese balls in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
• Freezer: Freeze uncooked cheese balls on a parchment-lined baking sheet, then transfer to an airtight container for up to 2 months. Bake from frozen at 425°F (220°C) for 20-25 minutes.
• Oven reheat: Reheat cheese balls in the oven at 350°F (180°C) for 10-15 minutes or until heated through.
• Microwave reheat: Reheat cheese balls in the microwave for 20-30 seconds or until heated through. Be careful, as the cheese can become very hot.
• Make ahead: You can prepare the cheese balls up to 1 day ahead. Store them in the refrigerator, then bake as directed.

Nutrition Per Serving

• Calories: 250
• Protein: 12g
• Fat: 12g
• Carbs: 18g
• Fiber: 2g
• Sugar: 1g
• Sodium: 500mg
• Cholesterol: 65mg
• Sat. Fat: 7g

Nutritional values are estimates only. Actual values may vary by brand and portion size.

Crispy Baked Broccoli Cheese Balls: Better Than Takeout FAQs

A Warm Final Note

I can’t wait for you to try Crispy Baked Broccoli Cheese Balls: Better Than Takeout and see how effortlessly it comes together. When you make it, pop back here and leave a rating or share how it turned out — I love hearing from you!