My recipe for Air Fryer Broccoli Balls come together in just 20 minutes with a handful of simple ingredients. Crispy outside, cheesy inside, and totally beginner-friendly!
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Ingredients
- Mozzarella cheese - I like to grate fresh mozzarella for better melting, but pre-shredded works too if you're in a rush.
- Broccoli florets - Fresh not frozen. Steam or microwave until soft but not mushy.
- Panko breadcrumbs - These give the balls that light, crispy texture. Regular breadcrumbs can work, but panko is better for air frying.
- Egg - Acts as the binder to hold everything together.
- Italian seasoning - A simple herb blend adds great flavor. You can also mix your own with dried oregano, basil, and thyme.
- Salt + black pepper - Start with a little, taste the mixture before shaping.
- Olive oil spray - A light mist helps them crisp up perfectly in the air fryer.
- If you like these, try more kid-friendly veggie recipes like broccoli patties and zucchini waffles.
📋 You can find the full ingredient list in the Recipe Card below the article.
How To Make Broccoli Bites
- Cook the broccoli: Steam the broccoli florets until soft but not mushy. For a quick fix, I sometimes microwave them in 30-second bursts, stirring in between.
- Mash the broccoli: Transfer the cooked broccoli to a bowl. Mash with a fork until broken down but still a little chunky.
- Mix everything together: Add panko breadcrumbs, mozzarella, egg, Italian seasoning, salt, and black pepper to the bowl. Stir well until combined.
- Let rest: Let the mixture sit for 5 minutes. This helps the breadcrumbs absorb moisture and makes shaping easier.
- Form the balls: Use about 1 tablespoon of mixture for each ball. You should get 17-18 balls total.
- Prep the air fryer: Line the basket with parchment paper (optional, but helps with sticking). Arrange the balls in a single layer, leaving space between them.
- Spray and cook: Lightly spray the tops with olive oil. Air fry at 375°F for 10 minutes, or until golden and crispy.
- Serve: Enjoy warm with your favorite dipping sauces. I love them with Green Goddess Dip!
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Buy Now → Don't Overcook The Broccoli
If the broccoli gets too mushy, the mixture will be too wet, and your balls won't hold their shape well. You want the broccoli tender but still a bit firm so you keep texture and avoid soggy balls.
Tips
- Mash but leave some texture - A fork works best for mashing; no need to puree it completely.
- Let the mixture rest - This quick 5-minute rest helps the balls hold their shape better.
- Use a small cookie scoop - This helps make evenly sized balls quickly.
- Space them out - Leave space between balls in the air fryer so the hot air can circulate.
- No air fryer? No problem - Bake them in the oven at 400°F for 15-20 minutes, flipping halfway.
- Switch up the cheese - Try cheddar, Parmesan, or a mix for extra flavor.
What To Serve With Air Fryer Broccoli Balls
I love serving these with dipping sauces or alongside simple meals. Here are a few of my favorite ways to serve them:
- Yogurt Herb Dip - My absolute favorite pairing!
- Marinara Sauce or salsa.
- Hummus
- With a big protein rich salad - For a quick and easy vegetarian meal.
Storing Leftovers
- To Store. Keep leftover broccoli balls in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3-4 days.
- To Freeze. Let the cooked balls cool completely, then freeze in a zip-top bag or container for 2-3 months.
- To Make Ahead. You can mix and shape the balls ahead of time. Keep them refrigerated for up to 24 hours before air frying.
- To Reheat. Reheat in the air fryer at 350°F for 5-6 minutes or until warm and crispy again.
If you use your air fryer often, you can also browse my Amazon storefront with my favorite air fryer tools and kitchen gadgets here, where I've collected many of the accessories I personally use.
More Vegetable Recipes
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Recipe Card
Air Fryer Cheesy Broccoli Balls
Ingredients
Method
- Cook the broccoli: Steam the broccoli florets until soft but not mushy. For a quick fix, I sometimes microwave them in 30-second bursts, stirring in between.4 ounces broccoli florets
- Mash the broccoli: Transfer the cooked broccoli to a bowl. Mash with a fork until broken down but still a little chunky.
- Mix everything together: Add panko breadcrumbs, mozzarella, egg, Italian seasoning, salt, and black pepper to the bowl. Stir well until combined.1 cup mozzarella, ¾ cup panko breadcrumbs, 1 large egg, ½ teaspoon Italian seasonings or a mix of herbs, salt + black pepper
- Let rest: Let the mixture sit for 5 minutes. This helps the breadcrumbs absorb moisture and makes shaping easier.
- Form the balls: Use about 1 tablespoon of mixture for each ball. You should get 17-18 balls total.
- Prep the air fryer: Line the basket with parchment paper (optional, but helps with sticking). Arrange the balls in a single layer, leaving space between them.
- Spray and cook: Lightly spray the tops with olive oil. Air fry at 375°F for 10 minutes, or until golden and crispy.olive oil
- Serve: Enjoy warm with your favorite dipping sauces. I love them with Green Goddess Dip!
Nutrition
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Let us know how it was!Note: Nutrition information is estimated and varies based on the products used.
Full Nutrition Disclaimer can be found here.
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