Coat in Panko. Roll each ball in Panko breadcrumbs and ensure that it is fully coated. (pictures 2 and 3 above).
Freeze the balls on a parchment-lined baking tray for 30 minutes to an hour. While this step is optional, this will ensure that the balls will not fall apart when air frying.
Preheat your air fryer to 400F. Don’t skip this step. It’s important that the Broccoli cheddar poppers start cooking immediately in a very hot air fryer.
Place each ball onto your greased air fryer tray, leaving enough space for the air to circulate around each piece. Lightly spray each ball with cooking spray. (picture 4 above).
Set your air fryer to 400°F (200°C) and cook the broccoli cheddar bites for 5 minutes on each side. This means flip each ball on the other side after 5 minutes. Tip. Use the help of two spatulas to gently flip them. Do not use tongs, as they may accidentally crush the balls.
Once they are done, remove them from the air fryer (I use this silicone spatula set to gently lift each ball) and place them onto a plate.
Enjoy your air fryer crispy broccoli cheese bites with your favorite dipping sauce. May I recommend serving them with this homemade Chick-fil-A Copycat sauce or making Homemade Chipotle Mayo in a blender?
Why Air Fryer Broccoli & Cheese Bites are Healthy and Delicious?
Not only are these broccoli bites delicious, but they are also incredibly healthy. Broccoli is packed with nutrition and antioxidants, while the cheese provides you with protein and healthy fat. By air frying these crispy bites, you’ll get all the flavor without any of the added oil or fat that comes with traditional frying. You can enjoy this snack without worrying about adding extra pounds.
Variations
While this recipe is perfect as it is, you can always make some variations according to your taste.
You can add some diced green onions or jalapenos to the mixture for extra flavor and crunchiness. This will instantly bring the Broccoli Jalapeno poppers to the next level.
Feel free to substitute Panko bread crumbs with regular bread crumbs or even oats to make the bites gluten-free.
It is best to use soft mushy broccoli florets for this recipe (boil broccoli for 2 minutes, then drain and pat dry), however, you can use frozen broccoli or Air-fried Broccoli. If using frozen broccoli, cook broccoli according to package directions. Squeeze them out of moisture if they are a bit watery.
In addition to cheddar, feel free to add other cheeses like Parmesan, Mozzarella, Velveeta, Cream cheese, or Goat cheese.
The possibilities are endless, so feel free to experiment and customize this recipe to your liking.
gooey cheese inside broccoli cheddar bites
How to Store and Reheat
If you find yourself with leftovers, place your Broccoli Cheese Bites in an airtight container and refrigerate them for up to 5 days.
To reheat, you can either use your oven, microwave, or air fryer. If using the oven, preheat to 350 degrees Fahrenheit and place the bites on a baking sheet for 5-7 minutes. If using the microwave, place them on a microwave-safe plate and heat for 30-60 seconds. I like to reheat them in the air fryer at 350F for 2 minutes per side. I love how it brings back the outer crisp.
Air Frying Tips
To get the best results, make sure to finely chop your broccoli florets so that they cook evenly.
Don’t forget to preheat your air fryer before cooking. This ensures that your bites come out perfectly crispy and golden brown.
Add a touch of spice with a pinch o
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