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–+ servings
image Air-fried. Broccoli and Cheese Balls

Air-fried Broccoli & Cheese Balls

These air-fried broccoli & cheese balls are crispy on the outside and soft and cheesy on the inside. This is the best way to eat your broccoli.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 12 minutes
Course Appetizer, dinner, Main Course
Cuisine American, vegan
Servings 17
Calories 113 kcal

Ingredients
  

For Balls

  • 1 cup whole wheat panko
  • 1 15 oz can chickpeas drain, but reserve the aquafaba, and mash the chickpeas
  • 1 tbsp ground flax
  • 3 tbsp aquafaba
  • 4 cups broccoli blanched and chopped small
  • 1 cup vegan cheddar cheese
  • ½ cup vegan parmesan cheese
  • 3 tbsp nutritional yeast
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
  • 1 tsp onion powder

For Coating

  • 1 cup whole wheat panko
  • 1 cup chickpea flour
  • aquafaba from 1 can of chickpeas

Instructions
 

  • First blanch the broccoli in boiling water for 2 minutes until they turn bright green. Remove and run under cold water to halt the cooking process.
  • Add the broccoli to a high speed blender and pulse until the broccoli is pulverized into tiny pieces.
  • Make flax egg by combining 3 tbsp reserved aquafaba and 1 tbsp ground flax seeds. Set aside to gel.
  • In a large bowl, combine mashed chickpeas, panko, broccoli, vegan cheddar, vegan parmesan, nutritional yeast, salt, garlic powder, and onion powder. Mix with hands until all is well combined and you can form balls.
  • Make balls with the mix and place on a sheet pan. Place in the refrigerator for 30 minutes to set.
  • Once set, make a breading station with 3 small bowls. One for chickpea flour, one for aquafaba and one for panko. One by one, dip the balls in each bowl to coat . First the chickpea flour, then the aquafaba, then the panko.
  • Spray your airfryer grate with avocado or olive oil then fill the basket with broccoli balls. Spray the tops then air fry at 400 degrees for 12 minutes, turning once at the halfway point. Do this in batches until all are crispy and olden on the outside and soft and cheesy on the inside.
  • Serve with dipping sauce of choice.

Nutrition

Calories: 113kcalCarbohydrates: 19gProtein: 5gFat: 3gSaturated Fat: 1gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 1gSodium: 315mgPotassium: 161mgFiber: 3gSugar: 2gVitamin A: 136IUVitamin C: 22mgCalcium: 22mgIron: 2mg
Keyword air-fried, crunchy, light
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