Your hunt for an easy, vegetarian broccoli recipe is over! These delicious Broccoli Bites Recipe made in Air Fryer will change the way you look at Broccoli. An egg-free, dairy-free, vegan snack recipe that your kids (and adults) will love!
We love Broccoli at home. Some of our favorites include Broccoli Soup, Broccoli Rice and readers favorite, Broccoli Tater Tots. In fact, the recipe that I share today is a variation of the tater tots recipe, also made in an air fryer.
I love experimenting with a lot of vegetables and especially the ones that earn the reputation of being bland or boring. These bite size Broccoli Corn Balls is the result of one such delicious experiment. They are now a staple snack at home.
Truth be told, vegetables aren’t boring! One should know how to cook them right, use a variety of spices and seasonings to make things interesting.
These bites have a soft centre and they are best served with tomato ketchup or marinara sauce (for adults). During summers, I prefer serving them with a mayo-free slaw on the side. They can be easily re-heated and served the next day so make an extra batch!
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Ingredients & Substitutions
Broccoli – One head of broccoli (350 grams, approx. 2 packed cups of florets). Use the stalks too apart from the florets. They are rich in fiber and can be easily used (hidden) in such recipes.
I prefer steaming the Broccoli instead of cooking it in a ton of water. Steamed broccoli has a bite, which is what we love. The broccoli is then finely chopped using a good quality knife and chopping board to a “rice” texture.
Potatoes – Boiled, peeled and mashed. For best results, I would suggest grating your potatoes. You can also use leftover mashed potatoes for this recipe.
Sweet Corn – I prefer cooking Corn on the Cob in Instant Pot. A great way to steam corn in bulk and / or freeze to use later. They are great to snack with a dash of turmeric, pepper, lime and salt.
If using frozen corn, thaw it completely before adding to the broccoli and potatoes.
Spices – Garlic Powder (can be substituted with finely chopped fresh garlic), Garam Masala, Kashmiri Red Chili (substitute with Paprika or cayenne for heat) and roasted cumin powder.
For adults, you can increase the quantity of spices used.
Instead of Bread crumbs, I have used Quick Cooking Oats. For a 100% Gluten Free Recipe, use gluten-free oats variety. Oats makes it nutritious, filling, fiber rich and healthy.
The bonus of using an Air Fryer is that it uses very little oil. Approximately 1 tbsp Olive Oil for 20 broccoli bites. Not bad at all, I say!
Variations
Substitute Broccoli with Cauliflower. You can use a bag of store bought cauliflower rice and just sauté in a pan (sweat it a little) until its tender. Cool it completely before adding mashed potatoes and shaping them.
You can use Sweet potatoes (when in season) instead of regular potatoes. It just adds an extra dose of fiber and keeps you full.
Herbs – Add a lot of herbs like cilantro, mint and/or dill. You can also experiment with dried herbs like oregano, basil and rosemary.
This recipe is dairy free / vegan hence I have not used cheese. You can add some grated parmesan cheese or cheddar, if you like.
Instructions - Broccoli Bites Recipe
In a bowl add steamed and finely chopped broccoli florets and mashed potatoes.
Add steamed corn and spices, season with salt to taste. Mix well.
Add oats and shape them into bite size balls. Refrigerate for 15 to 20 mins.
Once the air fryer is preheated, Place 15 broccoli bites and spray / brush some oil. Air Fry at 180 Degree Celsius for 12 – 15 minutes.
Tips
Always pre-heat the air fryer before frying a batch of snacks. 3- 5 minutes at 180 Degree Celsius is good.
In case of recipes like Broccoli Bites, Cutlets or Tater Tots, it is best to refrigerate the patty mixture before air frying.
Meal Prep – Just shape the balls and store them in an air tight container, under refrigeration. They can be frozen too. Just air fry when you are ready to serve. In case of frozen balls, thaw them completely before chucking them inside the air fryer.
The Air Fryer model may differ which may affect the temperature / timings. If the recipe states 15 mins of cook time, ensure you open the basket and turn the broccoli bites over once or twice after 8 minutes of cooking.
Like I always mention in all the Air Fryer recipes on the blog, never crowd the basket. It will consume more time and won’t give you the desired results.
I could air fry a batch of 15 broccoli bites in one go. I froze the remaining 5 to use it for wraps the next day.
It is always best to consume Air Fryer snacks immediately.
Serving Suggestions
Broccoli Bites can be served in a variety of ways, which is why I highly recommend you make a double batch of these and read some of the suggestions provided by me.
As snack or appetizer, I love serving it with a side of ketchup or hot sauce (sriracha), some coleslaw and Cilantro Mint Chutney.
Meat Free Meals - These Broccoli Corn Balls can easily replace meat balls. Serve them with whole wheat spaghetti and a homemade marinara sauce and you have yourself a bowl of vegetarian spaghetti meat balls.
This makes a great idea for in between meal snacks (another way to include more veggies). Serve them over a multigrain tortilla, slather some beetroot hummus and stuff the wraps with lettuce and / or some coleslaw. This makes a healthy and filling snack to carry for summer picnics too.
Shape them into patties, air fry and stuff them between lightly toasted burger buns. Serve with Air Fryer French Fries and wash it down with a chilled glass of Mango Lassi for a refreshing summer meal.
Serve them as Vegan Buddha Bowls with Quinoa, roasted vegetables and cooked beans or roasted chickpeas.
Some Air Fryer Snack Recipes to try
Roasted Potatoes with Za’atar Spice
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This post was originally published in July 2018. I have republished the post with fresh images and content, step-by-step instructions and plenty of tips.
Air Fryer Broccoli Bites Recipe
Equipment
- Air Fryer
Ingredients
- 350 grams Broccoli approx 2 tightly packed cups of florets
- 2 Potatoes medium, boiled, peeled and mashed
- 1 cup Sweet Corn
- 3 tbsp Quick Cooking Oats
- 1 tsp Garam Masala
- ½ tsp Kashmiri Red chilli powder
- ½ tsp Roasted Cumin Powder
- ¼ tsp Garlic Powder
- 1 tbsp Olive Oil
- Salt to taste
Instructions
- Steam the broccoli florets until tender. Once cool, finely chop the florets and add to a bowl.
- Add the mashed potatoes and steamed corn kernels.
- Now add the spices – garam masala, red chili, roasted cumin and garlic powder. Add salt to taste.
- Add oats and shape them into bite size balls. Refrigerate for 15 to 20 mins.
- Once you are ready to air fry, pre-heat the fryer for 3 mins at 200 degree Celsius.
- Place 15 broccoli bites in the air fryer basket and spray / brush some oil. Air Fry at 180 Degree Celsius for 12– 15 minutes.
- Shake the basket, turn the bites and spray / brush oil after 5 – 7 mins of cook time for a crispy exterior.
- Serve piping hot or warm with a side of salad and a condiment / dip of your choice.
Notes
- Broccoli – One head of broccoli (350 grams, approx. 2 packed cups of florets). Use the stalks too apart from the florets. They are rich in fibre and can be easily used in such recipes. I prefer steaming the Broccoli instead of cooking it in a ton of water.
- Sweet Corn – I prefer cooking Corn on the Cob in Instant Pot. A great way to steam corn in bulk and / or freeze to use later. They are great to snack with a dash of pepper and salt. I have added turmeric while steaming. If using frozen corn, thaw it completely before adding to the broccoli and potatoes.
- Spices – Garlic Powder (can be substituted with finely chopped fresh garlic), Garam Masala, Kashmiri Red Chili (substitute with Paprika or cayenne for heat) and roasted cumin powder. If serving for adults, you can increase the quantity of spices or heat.
- Instead of Bread crumbs, I have used Quick Cooking Oats. For a 100% Gluten Free Recipe, use gluten-free oats variety. Oats makes it nutritious, filling, fiber rich and healthy. You can use panko breadcrumbs instead of oats.
- The recipe uses 1 tbsp Olive Oil for 20 broccoli bites. You can use more if you like.
- Always pre-heat the air fryer before frying a batch of snacks. 3- 5 minutes at 180 Degree Celsius is good.
- In case of recipes like Broccoli Bites, Cutlets or Tater Tots, it is best to refrigerate the patty mixture before air frying.
- Prepping Ahead – Just shape the balls and store them in an air tight container, under refrigeration. They can be frozen too. Just air fry when you are ready to serve. In case of frozen balls, thaw them completely before chucking them inside the air fryer.
- The Air Fryer model may differ which may affect the temperature / timings. If the recipe states 15 mins of cook time, ensure you open the basket and turn the broccoli bites over once or twice after 8 minutes of cooking.
- Don't crowd the Air Fryer basket.
- It is always best to consume Air Fryer snacks immediately.
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We will be back again with yet another exciting recipe .. Until then, stay healthy and happy!
Vidya Narayan