Air Fryer Broccoli Cheese Bites are crispy on the outside and cheesy on the inside. The dipping sauce adds even more flavor to these delicious appetizers.
I finally broke down and bought an air fryer. I had gifted air fryers to two of my daughters and I got tired of hearing them rave about them. Rosemary Garlic Potato Wedges was the first thing I cooked in the air fryer. They are so delicious!
I then decided to go big or go home by recreating my favorite cheese balls. Broccoli Cheese Bites are served at my favorite Greek restaurant. I only eat them on special occasions because – hello – deep fried. But they are so good.
I made these cheese bites for the family and they are a huge hit. Yay! I’ve made them twice since then.
What is An Air Fryer?
An air fryer is basically a countertop convection oven. It cooks food through convection. Hot air circulates around the food to crisp and brown the food, similar to frying.
Here are some of my best tips for using an air fryer.
Always Preheat the Air Fryer
Whenever I use my air fryer, I always preheat it for 10-15 minutes. Your food will be crispier. I promise.
Don’t Crowd the Basket
Just like deep frying, you don’t want to overcrowd the basket. Your food will steam instead of fry.
Use Oil Sparingly
You don’t need a lot of oil when air frying. Remember, we’re aiming for a healthier alternative to deep frying. You only need 1-2 teaspoons for most recipes.
Your Food Will Not Taste Exactly Like Deep Frying
No, your air fried chicken is not going to taste exactly like deep fried chicken. But it’s delicious and knowing I’m eating healthier is a big bonus.
The broccoli cheese bites don’t taste like the deep fried kind I get at my favorite restaurant, but they are very good.
An Air Fryer Takes Up A Lot of Counter Space
I have a huge air fryer because I don’t like to cook in batches. I’m that girl that times everything I’m cooking so that dinner is done at the same time. It does take up counter space.
A walk-in pantry is a perfect place to store this baby between uses.
Air Fryer Broccoli Cheese Bites
Drain thawed chopped broccoli in a colander. Dry well with paper towels.
In a mixing bowl, whisk two eggs. Stir in the drained broccoli, cheddar and Hot Jalapeno & Habanero Jack cheeses, and Panko crumbs. Cover and refrigerate for one hour.
Note: I didn’t know how spicy the Hot Jalapeno & Habanero Jack cheese would be. They are not too spicy at all. If you don’t like any spice, use shredded Monterey Jack instead.
Make The Dipping Sauce
Meanwhile, in a small bowl, combine sour cream, chili sauce, cayenne pepper, and ground cumin. Refrigerate until ready to serve.
Air Fry the Cheese Bites
Remove broccoli mixture from the refrigerator and shape into 1-inch balls.
Preheat air fryer for 10 minutes. Meanwhile, grab three small bowls. Add one egg, lightly beaten plus one tablespoon water to one bowl. Add the flour to another bowl and remaining Panko to the third bowl.
Coat the broccoli balls with flour, then the beaten eggs and then Panko crumbs.
Spray the basket of the air fryer with cooking spray. Place balls in the basket, leaving space between each one. Lightly spray the balls with cooking spray.
Cook at 390º for 10-15 minutes or until crispy and browned. Serve with dipping sauce. I usually flip the broccoli bites halfway through the cooking time.
Note: You probably won’t use the entire 1/2 cup flour to cover the cheese bites. You only need a very thin coating of flour.
Air Fryer Broccoli Cheese Bites With Dipping Sauce
Air Fryer Broccoli Cheese Bites are crunchy on the outside and filled with flavorful chopped broccoli and cheese.
Ingredients
- 11 oz. package frozen chopped broccoli, thawed
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 cup shredded Hot Jalapeno & Habanero Jack cheese
- 2 cups Panko crumbs, divided
- 2 eggs, lightly beaten
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 egg, lightly beaten
- Cooking spray
Dipping Sauce
- 1/2 cup sour cream
- 2 Tablespoons chili sauce
- 1/2 tsp. ground cumin
- 1/8 tsp. cayenne pepper
Instructions
- Drain thawed broccoli in a colander. Dry well with paper towels.
- In a mixing bowl, beat two eggs with a whisk. Stir in the drained broccoli, cheese and 1/4 cup panko bread crumbs. Cover and refrigerate for one hour.
- Meanwhile, in a small bowl, mix together the ingredients for the dipping sauce. Refrigerate until ready to serve.
- Preheat the air fryer at 390º for 10 minutes. Form broccoli mixture into 1-inch balls.
- Place flour in one bowl. Add one lightly beaten egg to another bowl. Mix a tablespoon of water with the egg. Place remaining panko crumbs in another bowl.
- Coat the broccoli bites with flour. Dip in egg mixture and then coat with panko.
- Spray basket of air fryer with cooking spray. Place broccoli balls in the basket, leaving space between each ball. Spray tops of balls with cooking spray.
- Cook for 10-15 minutes on 390º, or until crispy and browned, turning after 7 minutes.
Nutrition Information
Yield
6Serving Size
2 bitesAmount Per Serving Calories 371Total Fat 16gSaturated Fat 8gTrans Fat 0gUnsaturated Fat 6gCholesterol 128mgSodium 540mgCarbohydrates 40gFiber 4gSugar 5gProtein 16g
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23 comments
omg my kids would freak out over these and love hat you used an air fryer to make them- adding it to my wish list right now ha!
These look so delicious! I need to get an air fryer. I keep seeing all these tasty recipes that need one.
My air fryer is legit my best friend… Actually wait, I have 3 of them (used to have 5, LOL)… So they are all my bestie!!! 😀
I never realized you should preheat an air fryer for 15 minutes before using it. No wonder the things I have used it for weren’t that great. Thank you for the great recipe and the useful information. I will now think about getting one for our home once it is rebuilt.
I love air frying, and these yummy broccoli cheese bites are the perfect way to celebrate the weekend! Such a great appetizer that’s perfect for everyone.
These look so yummy! I’m loving all the fun things that can be made in my air fryer! Can’t wait to try these out!
These are so cool! I’m really interested in trying a few air fryer recipes and this is super helpful. It really crisped these up.
Those sound so delicious! I broke down and bought an air fryer too and just love it.
I used to get fried broccoli bites from an old time diner in the neighborhood, but they closed down a few years back. I think these air fryer broccoli bites might just be a great replacement for the ones I lost.
I have an air fryer…. got it for Christmas and I barely ever use it! Probably out of old habits & fear & working on a dinner & having it be a flop & no one eat it! Lol I know that sounds crazy to you probably! But, I’m energized with your recipe & I’m gonna give it a try!! FINGERS CROSSED….
Those look so good. I love using my air fryer. There is so much you can make with them. I’ll have to try these out now. I bet they are delicious!
Got to have to get me an air fryer so I can make these. I think that is a great and delicious recipe to hide the broccoli from my picky eaters.
This is something I would love! I wish I have an air fryer now. I would make a lot of this delicious recipe!
this manner of cooking broccoli and cheese looks very tasty I love broccoli in many ways but this I am sure will interest many that may not like it traditional way thanks for sharing an alternative way come see us at http://shopannies.blogspot.com
My dad bought an air fryer and he has been raving about it for months. I need to invest in one. They sound like an awesome gadget to have.
Oh my goodness! I am drooling ove these bites! So easy and delicious!
I was craving for some cheese bites yesterday! These bites look amazing! I really need to buy an Air Fryer!
I wish I had an air fryer! This sounds so good. I love the broccoli/cheese combination, and I think my kids would too.
Oh wow, this sounds so good and amazing! Can’t wait to give this recipe a try.
These look tasty! What a perfect little appetizer– would be perfect for game day!
This looks like such a great recipe! Can’t wait to give it a try!
I have a air fryer that has wire racks in it and not a basket type air fryer. do you think the time, etc to cook would be different.?
I have no idea! I’ve only used the basket type. I suggest keeping a close eye on the broccoli bites as they cook.