These broccoli cheddar rice balls are savory, cheesy and addicting. These bite-sized balls of deliciousness are toddler and kid-friendly with a serving of veggies in them!
One of my goals in cooking for my toddler is to squeeze in as many vegetables as I can into her diet. Whether that be to give them to her straight, hide them or to chop them up small and add to food, I am always trying! This recipe makes broccoli actually taste yummy to littles! My daughter loves these, and honestly I think it’s the added cheese that does it for her lol. Broccoli cheddar is a classic combo and I love it in a rice ball!
All you have to do is combine cooked broccoli & rice, panko, cheese, an egg and spices. Mix it up, create rice balls and bake. The real work is just in the prep of cooking the broccoli and the rice beforehand. I will do that earlier in the day for a quicker prep and bake!
You can make these as a side to a protein like salmon or chicken. You can also make these as a main dish, especially for your toddler. They’re portable and freezer friendly. I hope you love this recipe as much as my toddler and I do!
Ingredients
You will need Broccoli, White Rice, Cheddar Cheese, Panko Breadcrumbs, Egg, Garlic Powder, Salt and Black Pepper.
For Littles
I made this recipe specifically for my toddler (although I of course eat them with her), as I am trying to create recipes that incorporate more veggies (like broccoli) that she will enjoy. Broccoli is an amazing veggie for little ones to consume because it is full of incredible amounts of vitamins like C, K, A, folate along with antioxidants. You can serve this to your littles 9 months +!
If you are looking for more recipes like this, my Veggie Ball Recipe will be a good one for you to try!
How To
In a shallow bowl, mash the broccoli, then add in the rest of the ingredients and mix.
Form into balls and then bake at 350 for 25-27 minutes.
Enjoy!:)
Broccoli Cheddar Rice Balls
Ingredients
- 1 cup steamed broccoli
- 1 cup cooked white rice * see notes
- 3/4 cup cheddar cheese
- 1/2 cup panko breadcrumbs
- 1 egg lightly beaten
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- A pinch of black pepper
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350 and cover a large baking sheet with parchment paper. Set aside.
- In a shallow bowl, mash the broccoli to your preference. Then add in the rest of the ingredients and mix until evenly combined.
- Form into 15 tablespoon sized balls and place on the baking sheet. Make sure you pack the balls tightly with your hands so they don’t fall apart during baking.
- Bake at 350 for 25-27 minutes, until very lightly golden brown.
- Serve as a side with salmon or chicken or as a main. You can store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days or in the freezer for up to 3 months. Enjoy!:)
Notes
- * you want rice either freshly cooked or at least made that day. You want it to be somewhat sticky so it helps hold together the rice balls.
