Last week at lunch at my mom’s, I was greeted by a banquet worthy of a queen, thanks to the fact that we hadn’t seen each other for a long time, and this was her way of showing me that she was happy! Does it happen to you too to be pampered like this by your moms? Well, anyway, among the many dishes on her table, we especially feasted on her broccoli balls, truly delicious and irresistible!!! In fact, having many recipes dedicated to balls (just to name a few, the millet balls with cauliflower, sun-dried tomatoes, and capers or chicken and avocado balls), I was sure I had prepared them in the past too, only to discover later, that among the many variations, the broccoli ones were missing! So here I am with this version with a super cheesy and melty heart! Moreover, broccoli is very healthy vegetables rich in beneficial properties. As I often repeat, the whole cabbage family is known for being rich in fiber, vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. And broccoli is no exception, they are among the top in this regard. These balls will therefore be a tasty and genuine way to make vegetables enjoyable for those who don’t like them much, especially kids but not only! You can serve them on a bed of fresh salad as a vegetarian-style main course or as a finger food at an informal buffet, during an aperitif, or as a tasty appetizer! I assure you they will be a hit, so I recommend doubling the doses and preparing them yourselves!
If you are a fan of balls and like to play with vegetables, try these all irresistible versions too:
- Difficulty: Very easy
- Cost: Economical
- Rest time: 30 Minutes
- Preparation time: 25 Minutes
- Portions: 15 balls
- Cooking methods: Electric oven, Air frying
- Cuisine: Italian
- Seasonality: Autumn, Winter
Ingredients
⚠ THIS RECIPE CONTAINS ONE OR MORE AFFILIATE LINKS. The products I recommend are the same ones I use in my recipes; purchasing them through my blog helps support me and my work, while it costs you nothing extra!
- 14 oz broccoli (approx. 12 oz net weight)
- 2 oz provola cheese
- 1 egg
- 3 tbsp breadcrumbs
- 1.5 oz grated Parmesan cheese
- to taste garlic powder
- 1 tsp nutmeg
- 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
- to taste salt
- to taste pepper
Tools
- 1 Knife
- 1 Saucepan
- 1 Slotted spoon
- 1 Colander
- 1 Mixing bowl
- 1 Potato masher
- 1 Spatula
- 1 Baking tray
- 1 Parchment paper
Steps
Cut the broccoli into small florets and rinse them thoroughly under running water.
Boil the florets in a saucepan with plenty of salted water for approx. 12′, they should still be very tender.
Drain them with a slotted spoon and let them drain well and cool on a colander.
Transfer the broccoli to a bowl, mash them with a potato masher until they become a puree.
Add the egg, garlic powder, nutmeg and adjust with salt and pepper.
Finally, add the breadcrumbs and the grated Parmesan cheese.
Quickly work all the ingredients together, mashing with a fork until you get a homogeneous, compact, and workable mixture. If it is still too soft, you can add one tablespoon of breadcrumbs at a time.
With your hands always slightly damp, take small portions of dough at a time (approx. 1.2 oz) and flatten them with your fingers.
Add a cube of provola, place it in the center and close it with the remaining dough.
Work forming little balls slightly larger than a walnut until all ingredients are used up.
Place them on a baking tray lined with parchment paper and put them in the fridge to firm up for 30′ or in the freezer for 15′ to speed up the process. After this time, drizzle the surface with a round of oil and bake at 375°F for 25′, then turn them and bake for another 5′-8′ or until fully golden brown.
Remove from the oven and let them cool slightly before serving.
And voilà… the cheesy broccoli balls are ready to be enjoyed!
Bon Appetit from La Cucina di FeFè!
Storage
👉 You can store the broccoli balls in the fridge in appropriate glass containers with a lid for 2-3 days or freeze them for about 1 month.
FAQ (Questions and Answers)
Can I use another type of cheese?
Yes, you can use any other string cheese, even mozzarella, as long as it’s the one for pizza.
Can I cook them in an air fryer?
Yes, you can cook the broccoli balls in an air fryer at 390°F for 15′
