Crispy Baked Broccoli Cheese Balls (Low Syn)
Craving a crispy, cheesy snack that won’t derail your Slimming World journey? These Baked Broccoli Cheese Balls are the perfect solution! Packed with flavor and low in Syns, they’re a guilt-free treat you’ll want to make again and again.
About Time:
- Prep: 15 mins
- Cook: 20 mins
- Total: 35 mins
- Yield: Approx. 26 balls
Ingredients:
- 300g raw broccoli florets
- 25g panko breadcrumbs
- 50g grated reduced-fat cheddar cheese
- 2 spring onions, finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, crushed
- 1 egg, beaten
- Low-calorie cooking spray
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black 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.
- Bake: Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Arrange the broccoli cheese balls on the sheet. Spray lightly with low-calorie cooking spray.
- First Bake: Bake in a preheated oven at 200°C (400°F) for 10 minutes.
- 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.
Enjoy! These delicious and low-syn 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 low-syn dipping sauce, such as a light garlic dip or a spicy sriracha mayo.
how to make Broccoli Cheese Balls in an air fryer:
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:
- 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.
- 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.
- For extra crispiness: You can lightly dredge the balls in a little extra panko before air frying.
