Description
Delicious and nutritious Broccoli Cheese Bites made with chickpeas, quinoa, broccoli, and mature cheddar cheese, seasoned with aromatic herbs and spices. These savory bites are blended to a smooth consistency, shaped into rounds, and baked until golden brown, making a perfect healthy snack or appetizer.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 15 oz can chickpeas (approximately 1 ½ cups)
- 1 ½ cups cooked quinoa
- 1 ½ cups chopped broccoli, boiled
- 1 cup mature cheddar cheese, shredded
Seasonings
- 2 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp thyme
- 1 tsp basil
- 1 tsp onion powder
- ½ tsp salt
- ½ tsp black pepper
Others
- ½ – 1 cup water (as needed for blending)
- Olive oil spray (for baking sheet and finishing)
Instructions
- Prepare the quinoa and broccoli: Cook the quinoa according to package instructions until fluffy. Boil the chopped broccoli until tender, then drain and set aside.
- Combine ingredients in food processor: Add the chickpeas, cooked quinoa, boiled broccoli, shredded mature cheddar cheese, garlic powder, thyme, basil, onion powder, salt, and black pepper into the food processor. Blend until the mixture forms a consistent texture. If needed, do this in batches, adding cheese to each batch to help bind the ingredients.
- Add water as needed: If the mixture is too thick for the processor to blend smoothly, add ½ to 1 cup of water gradually to assist pulsing and achieve a better texture.
- Preheat oven and prepare baking tray: Preheat the oven to 350°F (180°C). Line a baking tray with parchment paper and lightly spray it with olive oil to prevent sticking.
- Form the cheese bites: Take small portions of the mixture and shape them into balls using your hands. Flatten each ball slightly into a circular shape and place them evenly spaced on the prepared baking tray.
- Finish with olive oil and bake: Lightly spray the formed bites with more olive oil for a golden, crispy finish. Bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes until they turn golden brown.
- Cool and serve: Remove the bites from the oven, allow them to cool slightly before serving to enjoy their texture and flavor at their best.
Notes
- Ensure broccoli is well-drained to avoid excess moisture in the mixture.
- Cheddar cheese helps bind the bites; do not skip adding cheese to each batch if blending in portions.
- Adjust water quantity depending on the moisture content of cooked quinoa and broccoli.
- These bites can be served warm or at room temperature as a snack or appetizer.
- For a crispier exterior, you can broil the bites for 1-2 minutes at the end of baking, watching carefully to prevent burning.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and reheat before serving.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bite (approx. 25 grams)
- Calories: 45
- Sugar: 0.5 g
- Sodium: 115 mg
- Fat: 2.5 g
- Saturated Fat: 1.5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 1 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 4.5 g
- Fiber: 1.2 g
- Protein: 2.5 g
- Cholesterol: 8 mg
