Description
Cottage Cheese Broccoli Cheddar Melt Bites with a Crunchy Topping are delicious, bite-sized snacks packed with flavor and nutrition, perfect for any occasion.
Ingredients
- 2 cups broccoli florets, finely chopped
- 1 cup cottage cheese
- 1½ cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese
- 2 large eggs
- ½ cup panko breadcrumbs
- ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 green onions, finely sliced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon paprika
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- ¼ cup panko breadcrumbs (for topping)
- 2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese (for topping)
- 1 tablespoon melted butter (for topping)
- ½ teaspoon paprika (for topping)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C) and grease a 12-cup muffin pan or line it with silicone muffin liners.
- Bring a small pot of water to a boil, add the broccoli, and cook for 2 minutes. Drain and rinse with cold water, then pat dry and finely chop.
- In a large bowl, combine cottage cheese, cheddar cheese, eggs, ½ cup panko breadcrumbs, Parmesan cheese, green onions, garlic, Dijon mustard, onion powder, garlic powder, paprika, salt, and black pepper. Fold in the chopped broccoli until evenly mixed.
- Divide the mixture evenly among the muffin cups, filling each about ¾ full.
- In a small bowl, mix together ¼ cup panko breadcrumbs, 2 tablespoons Parmesan cheese, melted butter, and paprika. Sprinkle evenly over each bite.
- Bake for 22–25 minutes, or until the tops are golden brown and the centers are set.
- Let the bites cool in the pan for 5 minutes before removing. Garnish with parsley or green onions, if desired, and serve warm.
Notes
- Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
- Freeze in a freezer-safe container for up to 2 months.
- Reheat by baking at 350°F (175°C) for 8–10 minutes or air frying at 350°F for 4–5 minutes.
- Squeeze as much moisture as possible from the broccoli after blanching to prevent soggy bites.
- For extra protein, stir in ½ cup cooked, chopped chicken or crumbled turkey bacon.
- For a spicier version, add ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper or a few dashes of hot sauce to the mixture.
- Use small-curd cottage cheese for a smoother texture, or blend the cottage cheese before mixing for a creamier consistency.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bite
- Calories: 120
- Sugar: 1g
- Sodium: 250mg
- Fat: 7g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 8g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 7g
- Cholesterol: 50mg