Looking for something packed with veggies yet totally scrumptious? Look no further as I have the perfect recipe for you. With cheddar cheese combined with herbs and spices and broccoli trees (we have always called them this in our household in a bid to encourage the eating of this vegetable!), these small broccoli bites of goodness are incredibly moreish.
Broccoli is a fantastic source of Vitamins A, C and K, calcium and fibre. Combined with other things, it can help you to lower cholesterol levels as well as boosting the body’s immune system. The fibre it contains helps to promote good digestive health, and surprisingly, it can impact your mood in a positive way, too.
We use almond flour in this recipe rather than standard wheat flour as it contains healthy fats, protein and vitamin E. It also means that they are suitable for those allergic or intolerant to gluten.
While you could (we certainly could anyway!) eat these cheesy broccoli bites on their own, try dipping them into hummus or a yoghurt and mint dip.
In fact, why not have both of those dips along with a rich tomato sauce and serve in a pitta bread for a filling lunch? They are even a great addition at a buffet – and are often the first thing that people return to. For something so small, they really pack a punch.
Ingredients
- 150g chopped broccoli florets
- 90g grated cheddar cheese
- 50g almond flour
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- ½ tsp oregano
- 1 tbsp chopped parsley
- ¼ tsp black pepper
- 2 eggs
Variations
For a nut-free alternative, use 45g of breadcrumbs (wholemeal is preferable) instead of the almond flour. For a vegan-friendly dish, substitute the cheddar cheese with a vegan alternative and use two flax eggs in place of the hen’s eggs.
Additional info
Preparation Time: 10 minutes
Cooking Time: 20 minutes
Serves: 12 – 14 bites
Can they be frozen? Yes
Method
- Preheat your oven to oven to 200°C (lower if fan)/400 °F and line a baking tray with parchment paper.
- If using a flax egg, mix 2 tbsp flaxseed with 3 tbsp water. Allow the mixture to stand for around 10 minutes until it becomes a gel-like consistency.
- Steam or boil the broccoli until it is tender (around 3-4 minutes).
- While the broccoli is cooking, add the cheese, almond flour (or breadcrumbs), garlic powder, oregano, parsley and black pepper to a bowl. Mix thoroughly.
- Drain the broccoli, then gently mash with a fork to break down the pieces.
- Add the broccoli and eggs (or flax eggs) to the mixture and combine.
- Take a tablespoon of the mixture and shape into small bites. You must squeeze it together, using your palms to shape them. Next, place them onto the baking tray with a couple of centimetres in between each to allow them to cook evenly.
- Bake in the oven for between 18 and 20 minutes until they are a golden colour. Let them cool before serving.
If you would like to, you can also freeze these once you have formed the bites. When you want to use them, bake from frozen.
They can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days or be frozen for up to 3 months.
This recipe is another one from the amazing Little Food Critic app. This is a good companion to have in your pocket as it has good ideas for family meals, as well as food for the toddler. The ideas are even those that will appeal to fussier eaters. The app was created by, Shikha Gil, so why not pop on over for more ideas for your family.
If you would like to print this out in a recipe card, take a look here:
Broccoli bites with cheese
Ingredients
- 150g chopped broccoli florets
- 90g grated cheddar cheese
- 50g almond flour
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- ½ tsp oregano
- 1 tbsp chopped parsley
- ¼ tsp black pepper
- 2 eggs
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to oven to 200°C (lower if fan)/400 °F and line a baking tray with parchment paper.
- If using a flax egg, mix 2 tbsp flaxseed with 3 tbsp water. Allow the mixture to stand for around 10 minutes until it becomes a gel-like consistency.
- Steam or boil the broccoli until it is tender (around 3-4 minutes).
- While the broccoli is cooking, add the cheese, almond flour (or breadcrumbs), garlic powder, oregano, parsley and black pepper to a bowl. Mix thoroughly.
- Drain the broccoli, then gently mash with a fork to break down the pieces.
- Add the broccoli and eggs (or flax eggs) to the mixture and combine.
- Take a tablespoon of the mixture and shape into small bites. You must squeeze it together, using your palms to shape them. Next, place them onto the baking tray with a couple of centimetres in between each to allow them to cook evenly.
- Bake in the oven for between 18 and 20 minutes until they are a golden colour. Let them cool before serving.
Notes
If you would like to, you can also freeze these once you have formed the bites. When you want to use them, bake from frozen.
They can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days or be frozen for up to 3 months.
Here are some more babies and toddler meal ideas on KiddyCharts. One of our favourites are these Tuna bites, which give you more snack fun. Check out other ideas here:
Recipes for babies and toddlers
Here are some more ideas for babies and toddlers from the site.
Homemade baked beans
We all know what baked beans are like - but now you can make your OWN version of them!
Cupboard food for toddlers: Tuna and sweetcorn fritters
These are fabulous - sweetcorn fritters for babies/toddlers with added Tuna.
Authentic Indian Family Food: Simple tomato pasta for kids
The classic tomato pasta - perfect for babies, and kids everywhere.
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Thanks for coming to see us as always,
Helen
Helen
Helen is a mum to two, social media consultant, and website editor; and this site is (we think) the only Social Enterprise parenting magazine!Since giving up being a business analyst when juggling travel, work and kids proved too complicated, she founded KiddyCharts so she could be with her kids, and use those grey cells at the same time.KiddyCharts has reach of over 1.1million across social and the site. The blog works with big family brands (including travel) to help promote their services, as well as offering free resources to parents of kids under 10.It gives 51%+ profits to Reverence for Life, who fund a number of important initiatives in Africa, including bringing running water and basic equipment to a school in Tanzania.Helen has worked as a digital marketing consultant (IDM qualified) with various organisations, including Channel Mum, Truprint, Talk to Mums, and Micro Scooters. She loves to be creative in the brand campaigns she works on.Get in touch TODAY!