Cheesy broccoli bites are the delicious snack or side dish that everyone loves!
Loaded with rice, broccoli, two kinds of cheese, and a handful of savory seasonings, these broccoli egg bites are powerhouses full of flavor and goodness!
Prep as a side dish or as a quick savory snack or lunch.
Why We Love Broccoli Bites
- This super simple recipe is so versatile! Use up any small amounts of leftover veggies, beans, rice, or meat in this recipe!
- A little bit like egg bites meet broccoli rice casserole, these are really yummy.
- These easy homemade bites are healthy & make great after-school snacks before practice!
- Grab and go, anyone? Energizing broccoli bites are loaded with protein, dairy, and tons of veggies so they make the perfect breakfast, lunch, or post-workout snacks!
Ingredients for Broccoli Bites
Broccoli – Fresh or frozen broccoli works, ensure it is cooked to tender crisp and drained well. Chop broccoli fine enough so it blends well with the other ingredients.
Rice – Any kind of cooked rice will work in this recipe! White or brown rice, cauliflower rice, or any leftover rice, orzo, or even small macaroni noodles can be added to the mix!
Cheeses – Sharp cheddar cheese has a strong flavor that goes with anything! Add your favorites from mozzarella, crumbled feta, or Monterey jack.
Seasonings – Dry mustard and garlic powder keep this recipe simple and flavorful. Experiment with a DIY blend like this southwestern blend, or this extra spicy Cajun blend.
Variations
Make savory broccoli bites and add other veggies from your fridge like red or green diced bell peppers, chopped olives, sundried tomatoes, or leftover roast vegetables.
Small amounts of diced ham, shredded chicken, or bacon bits can be added. Top with a buttery panko topping for a crunchy finish!
How to Make Broccoli Bites
Cheesy broccoli and rice bites are as easy as 1, 2, 3!
- Boil broccoli until it is tender-crisp. Cool completely and chop into small pieces.
- Combine with the remaining ingredients in a large bowl.
- Load prepared muffin tins evenly with broccoli & rice mixture and bake (per recipe below) until crispy on top.
PRO TIP: Push a small cube of cheddar cheese in the center of each muffin before baking for extra cheesiness!
Tips for Cheesy Crispy Bites
- Make sure all of the pieces are cut small so the bites stay together while they bake.
- Grease the muffin tins very well or use silicone or parchment liners, since the rice can make these really stick!
- For best results, avoid overbaking broccoli bites. When pulled from the oven, they will continue to cook a little (this is called carryover cooking).
- If you’ve greased the pan instead of using liners, run a butter knife along the edges of the cups while they’re still warm and let them cool before removing from the package.
- Keep leftover cheesy broccoli bites in a covered container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Enjoy them as-is or reheat.
- Wrap individual broccoli bites in plastic wrap and freeze them in a zippered bag for up to 4 weeks. Allow them to thaw in the refrigerator before serving.
The Best Bite-Sized Snacks
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Broccoli Bites
In this recipe, egg bites meet cheesy broccoli casserole in a hand-held broccoli rice bite.
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Preheat oven to 375°F.
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Bring a medium pot of water to a boil. Add broccoli and cook until tender-crisp, about 3-4 minutes. Drain very well and chop into small pieces. Cool completely.
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Combine all ingredients in a bowl.
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Grease a muffin tin very well or line with muffin liners (*see note). Gently divide the rice mixture over 8 muffin wells.
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Bake 20-25 minutes or until set and browned on top.
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Gently run a knife around the edges of each broccoli rice cup to loosen. Let cool in the pan at least 5 minutes before removing from the pan.
- Option: If you have extra cheese, cut into ½-inch cubes and press into the center of each bite.
- Make sure all of the pieces are cut small so the bites stay together while they bake.
- Grease the muffin tins very well or use silicone or parchment liners, since the rice can make these really stick!
- For best results, avoid overbaking broccoli bites. When pulled from the oven, they will continue to cook a little (this is called carryover cooking).
- If you’ve greased the pan instead of using liners, run a butter knife along the edges of the cups while they’re still warm and let them cool before removing from the package.
- Keep leftover cheesy broccoli bites in a covered container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Enjoy them as-is or reheat.
- Wrap individual broccoli bites in plastic wrap and freeze them in a zippered bag for up to 4 weeks. Allow them to thaw in the refrigerator before serving.
Serving: 1g | Calories: 167 | Carbohydrates: 14g | Protein: 7g | Fat: 9g | Saturated Fat: 5g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 2g | Trans Fat: 0.004g | Cholesterol: 65mg | Sodium: 140mg | Potassium: 130mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 466IU | Vitamin C: 20mg | Calcium: 133mg | Iron: 0.5mg
Nutrition information provided is an estimate and will vary based on cooking methods and brands of ingredients used.
Course Appetizer, Side Dish, Snack
Cuisine American© SpendWithPennies.com. Content and photographs are copyright protected. Sharing of this recipe is both encouraged and appreciated. Copying and/or pasting full recipes to any social media is strictly prohibited. Please view my photo use policy here.
This recipe was inspired by Kraft recipes.
