Vegan Broccoli Balls
User Reviews
5
Vegan Broccoli Balls
Description
This recipe blends finely grated broccoli with basil and spices, cooked briefly to reduce moisture, then mixed with almond meal, breadcrumbs, and a chia seed egg acting as a binder. The mixture forms balls that are baked until golden and crisp on the outside, maintaining tender texture inside. The touch of chipotle pepper provides mild heat complementing the earthy broccoli and herbs. Using nutritional yeast lends a slight umami depth common in vegan dishes.
The broccoli balls can be served as finger foods or snack options and make a good addition to parties or light meals. Their slightly crispy exterior contrasts with a moist interior, appealing to a variety of palates.
Variations include adding mashed chickpeas for more substance or swapping almond meal for other nut or seed meals. Adjust breadcrumbs or liquid to achieve the right consistency depending on broccoli moisture. These can be baked in a standard oven at 400°F until golden.
Ingredients
- 1 tsp neutral cooking oil generic cooking oil
- 1/2 cup onion finely chopped
- 1 broccoli florets and tender stem (peel off the knobs from the stem and use, large head
- 2 tbsp basil or 1 tsp dried basil, fresh leaves
- 1/2 tsp oregano dried
- 1/2 tsp garlic
- 1/2 tsp chipotle pepper
- 1/4 tsp black pepper ground
- 1/4 tsp salt 1/3 tsp
- 1 tbsp nutritional yeast or more
- 1/4 cup almond meal
- 1/4 cup bread crumbs or more
- 1 chia seed egg 1 tbsp chia seeds or chia seed meal mixed with 3 tbsp warm water, let sit for 2 minutes to gel
Variations
- 1/4 cup pepper jack cheese or other vegan cheese shreds like daiya cheddar or pepperjack optional, my almond milk
Instructions
- Heat oil in a pan over medium heat. Add onions and cook for 3 to 4 minutes.
- Pulse the broccoli and basil in a food processor until grated. Add to the pan. (2.5 to 3 cups grated). Add a dash of salt, mix and cook for 3 to 4 minutes to dry out the excess moisture. (If the broccoli is dry, cook for only a minute). Take off heat.
- Add in the spices, almond meal, breadcrumbs. Mix well. Make the chia seed egg or use 1 flax egg (1 tbsp flax seed meal + 2.5 Tbsp warm water) or egg replacer for 1 egg.
- Mix in. Add vegan cheese shreds if using. Add more breadcrumbs if needed.
- Shape the mixture into balls. If the balls are too crumbly (depends on the moisture content, size of grated broccoli etc), add another chia egg, or sprinkle some non dairy milk or aquafaba and mix well.
- Place on parchment lined baking sheet. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F / 200ºc.
- Bake for a total of 20 to 25 minutes or until crisp and golden on the outside. (Turn the sheet around after 15 minutes, and continue to bake.). you can also sprinkle some cheese shreds on the balls in the last 5 minutes. Serve warm with marinara or over spaghetti or as veggie balls in a sub sandwich.
Notes
- You can substitute almond meal with ground walnuts or nut-free seed meals like pumpkin or sunflower seeds for allergy considerations.
- Adding ½ to 1 cup cooked mashed chickpeas or other beans increases the heartiness of the balls.
- Adjust breadcrumbs based on moisture content of broccoli and added ingredients for proper binding and texture.
- To bind better when crumbly, add an extra chia egg or a small amount of non-dairy milk or aquafaba before baking.
Nutrition Information
Show DetailsNutrition Facts
Serving: 12Serving
Amount Per Serving
Calories 60 kcal
% Daily Value*
| Calories | 60kcal | 3% |
| Carbohydrates | 7g | 2% |
| Protein | 2g | 4% |
| Fat | 2g | 3% |
| Sodium | 108mg | 5% |
| Potassium | 190mg | 4% |
| Fiber | 2g | 8% |
| Sugar | 1g | 2% |
| Vitamin A | 340IU | 7% |
| Vitamin C | 45.8mg | 51% |
| Calcium | 42mg | 4% |
| Iron | 0.7mg | 4% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
User Reviews
Overall Rating
5
You'll Also Love
