Cheesy Broccoli Snacks (Printable Version)
Crunchy outside, cheesy inside—savory treats with broccoli and rich cheese.
# Ingredients:
01 -
A heaping 1 1/2 cups of fresh broccoli florets
02 -
1 cup of Colby cheese, shredded
03 -
1 cup of cheddar cheese, shredded
04 -
4 oz of Velveeta, cut into small cubes
05 -
1/2 tsp of crushed red pepper
06 -
Panko crumbs, 2 1/4 cups divided
07 -
1 large egg, whisked lightly
08 -
1/2 cup plain all-purpose flour
09 -
2 large eggs, beaten lightly
10 -
Vegetable or canola oil for frying
# Steps:
01 -
Cook broccoli with steam until it's just tender. Let it cool off afterward.
02 -
Cut up the broccoli finely until pieces are about 1/4 inch big. Put it all into a big mixing bowl.
03 -
Toss in the cheeses, crushed red pepper, 1 beaten egg, and 1/4 cup of Panko crumbs with the broccoli. Stir until it's all blended well.
04 -
Grab some of the mixture (about a rounded tablespoon) with your hands and roll it into a ball. Do this 12-14 times. Put the balls on a plate and chill for at least 30 minutes.
05 -
Grab three bowls. Put flour in one. In the second, mix 2 eggs with 1 tablespoon of water. Fill the third with the rest of the Panko crumbs (2 cups).
06 -
Pour about 2 inches of oil into a sturdy pot or Dutch oven. Heat it to 375°F and use a thermometer to keep tabs.
07 -
Take the chilled broccoli balls out of the fridge. Dredge each one in flour first. Next, dunk it into the egg mixture and then coat in Panko crumbs. Fry 4 at a time, turning until all sides are crispy and golden.
08 -
Move the fried balls to a plate lined with paper towels to soak up any oil. Serve them hot and fresh.
# Notes:
01 -
Want more flavor? Toss in 5 crumbled and cooked bacon slices to the mix.