Air Fryer Recipe
Cheesy Broccoli Bites
Cheesy Broccoli Bites are a wholesome, easy snack that crisp up beautifully in the air fryer.
Ingredients
- 250g of fresh broccoli florets
- 100g of grated cheddar cheese
- 50g of breadcrumbs (panko recommended)
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon of garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon of onion powder
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Cooking spray
Method
- Steam the broccoli florets for about 5 minutes until tender, then leave to cool and chop finely.
- In a large mixing bowl, stir together the chopped broccoli, grated cheddar cheese, breadcrumbs, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper.
- Beat the eggs in a separate bowl, then add them to the broccoli mixture and mix well.
- Shape the mixture into bite-sized balls or patties.
- Preheat the air fryer to 200°C (approx 392°F) for about 5 minutes.
- Arrange the broccoli bites in the air fryer basket without overlapping, spray with cooking spray, and cook for 8-10 minutes until golden brown and crisp.
Why this works in an air fryer
Steaming softens the broccoli so it binds, but cooling lets excess steam escape; a wetter mix will slump. Eggs set as the bites heat, cheddar melts into the crumb structure, and the air fryer’s fast convection dries the panko-coated surface quickly enough to brown before the centres overcook.
Equipment notes
Assumes a medium 4–5 litre basket holding the bites in one layer with gaps; in a single-drawer model cook in batches rather than stacking, while in a dual-zone fryer split evenly between drawers and check 1–2 minutes early as smaller loads brown faster.
Common pitfalls
- Bites flattening or leaking cheese in the first 4 minutes? The broccoli was too wet or warm; cool it fully, squeeze chopped broccoli lightly in kitchen paper, and add 1–2 tbsp extra breadcrumbs before shaping.
- Patchy pale sides after 8 minutes? The basket is crowded or the bites are touching; leave visible gaps and shake or turn them halfway so convection can reach the undersides.
- Outside browning before the centre feels set? The bites are too large or the fryer runs hot; make flatter patties about 2–3cm thick, reduce to 190°C, and add 2–3 minutes.
- Dry, crumbly bites that break when lifted? Too much breadcrumb or not enough egg contact; mix until the egg evenly coats the broccoli and let the shaped bites stand for 5 minutes before air frying.
Variations & substitutions
- Swap cheddar for Red Leicester for a deeper colour and slightly oilier melt, so check a minute early for cheese bubbling at the edges.
- Use gluten-free breadcrumbs in place of panko; they brown a little less evenly, so spray lightly and turn halfway for better colour.
- Add 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika or mild chilli flakes to the mix; it will not change timing, but it makes the browned cheese flavour more pronounced.
- Replace up to half the broccoli with finely chopped cauliflower, steamed and dried the same way; the mixture tastes milder and may need an extra pinch of salt.
Storage & reheating
Keep cooked bites chilled in an airtight container for up to 3 days, then reheat in the air fryer at 180°C for 4–6 minutes until hot and re-crisped.
Nutrition
Calories: 250
