Crispy Broccoli Cheese Bites with Honey-Mustard Dipping Sauce
Delight your taste buds with these crispy broccoli cheese bites, inspired by the beloved appetizer from Bennigan's! These mouthwatering morsels are filled with a savory combination of tender broccoli, melty colby and monterey jack cheeses, crunchy bacon bits, and aromatic onions, all lovingly encased in a crispy breadcrumb layer. Perfect for parties or as a snack, these bites are quick to prepare and simply irresistible. Paired with a tangy honey-mustard dipping sauce, they’re sure to impress your guests and leave them asking for the recipe. Enjoy the comfort of a hearty appetizer without any fuss!
12
Servings
N/A
Calories
13
Ingredients
Ingredients
eggs
3 (beaten)
shredded colby cheese
6 ounces
shredded monterey jack cheese
6 ounces
frozen chopped broccoli
16 ounces (thawed, drained, and dried)
hormel real bacon bits
2.5 ounces
diced yellow onion
0.5 ounces
all-purpose flour
1 ounce
Italian breadcrumbs
as needed (for coating)
sour cream
3/4 cup
Hellmann's mayonnaise
1/3 cup
Dijon mustard
1/3 cup
honey
1/3 cup
lemon juice
1 tablespoon + 1 teaspoon
Instructions
1
Start by thawing the frozen broccoli. Once thawed, drain thoroughly by pressing through a strainer and make sure to dry well with paper towels to remove excess moisture.
2
In a large mixing bowl, whisk the eggs until well combined.
3
In a separate large bowl, combine the drained broccoli, shredded colby cheese, shredded monterey jack cheese, bacon bits, diced onion, and flour.
4
Add the whisked eggs to the mixture and gently stir with a spatula until everything is thoroughly combined. The mixture will be a bit sticky.
5
Cover the mixture with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 1 hour. This step will help bind the ingredients together.
6
While the mixture chills, prepare the honey-mustard dipping sauce. In a medium bowl, combine sour cream, mayonnaise, and Dijon mustard. Whisk until smooth.
7
Gradually add the honey and lemon juice, whisking continuously until the sauce is well blended. Cover and refrigerate until ready to serve.
8
After the mixture has chilled, heat about 4 cups of oil in a deep fryer or a deep pan to maintain a temperature of 350°F (175°C).
9
Pour breadcrumbs into a shallow dish.
10
Remove the broccoli mixture from the fridge. Using your hands, form portions of the mixture into 1-inch balls and roll them in the breadcrumbs until fully coated.
11
Carefully place the coated broccoli bites into the preheated oil, ensuring they are not overcrowded and do not stick together.
12
Fry for about 1-2 minutes, or until golden brown, then use a slotted spoon to remove the bites and place them on a paper towel-lined plate to absorb excess oil.
13
Serve the crispy broccoli cheese bites hot with the honey-mustard dipping sauce on the side.
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What are Crispy Broccoli Cheese Bites?
They are savory appetizers made of broccoli, cheese, and bacon bits, breaded and deep-fried until golden brown.
What is the inspiration for this recipe?
This recipe is inspired by the popular broccoli cheese appetizer originally served at Bennigan's.
What types of cheese are used in this recipe?
The recipe uses a combination of 6 ounces of shredded colby cheese and 6 ounces of shredded monterey jack cheese.
How should I prepare the frozen broccoli?
Thaw the broccoli, then drain it thoroughly using a strainer and pat it dry with paper towels to remove all excess moisture.
What is the purpose of the eggs in the mixture?
The 3 beaten eggs act as a binder to help hold the broccoli, cheese, and other ingredients together.
How much onion do I need to add?
You will need 0.5 ounces of finely diced yellow onion for this recipe.
What kind of breadcrumbs are recommended for the coating?
Italian breadcrumbs are recommended to provide a seasoned and crispy exterior.
Why must the mixture be refrigerated before frying?
Refrigerating the mixture for at least 1 hour helps the ingredients bind together so they don't fall apart when formed into balls.
What is the ideal oil temperature for frying?
The oil should be heated to 350 degrees Fahrenheit (175 degrees Celsius) for the best results.
What ingredients are in the honey-mustard dipping sauce?
The sauce contains sour cream, mayonnaise, Dijon mustard, honey, and lemon juice.
How do I make the honey-mustard dipping sauce?
Whisk the sour cream, mayonnaise, and Dijon mustard until smooth, then gradually whisk in the honey and lemon juice.
What size should I make the broccoli cheese balls?
The mixture should be formed into portions that are approximately 1 inch in size.
How long do the broccoli bites need to fry?
They should be fried for about 1 to 2 minutes until they become golden brown.
Can I use a deep pan if I don't have a deep fryer?
Yes, you can use a deep pan as long as you can maintain a consistent oil temperature of 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
How do I remove excess oil from the bites after cooking?
Use a slotted spoon to remove the bites and place them on a paper towel-lined plate to absorb the extra oil.
What brand of bacon bits is suggested?
The recipe specifies using 2.5 ounces of Hormel real bacon bits.
What is the consistency of the broccoli mixture before chilling?
The mixture will be slightly sticky after the whisked eggs are added to the dry ingredients.
How much honey is required for the sauce?
The dipping sauce recipe calls for 1/3 cup of honey.
How much lemon juice is needed?
You will need 1 tablespoon plus 1 teaspoon of lemon juice.
How much broccoli is used in this recipe?
The recipe requires 16 ounces of frozen chopped broccoli.
Is all-purpose flour necessary for this recipe?
Yes, 1 ounce of all-purpose flour is used to help bind the mixture.
Can the dipping sauce be made in advance?
Yes, you can prepare the sauce ahead of time and keep it refrigerated until you are ready to serve.
How should the broccoli bites be served?
They are best served hot immediately after frying with the honey-mustard sauce on the side.
Why is it important to dry the broccoli well?
If the broccoli is too wet, the bites may not hold their shape or could become soggy during the frying process.
How many servings does this recipe make?
This recipe is designed to yield approximately 12 servings.
Which mayonnaise brand is recommended for the sauce?
The recipe suggests using 1/3 cup of Hellmann's mayonnaise.
How should I prepare the eggs?
The 3 eggs should be whisked in a separate bowl until well combined before being added to the broccoli mixture.
How do I coat the bites in breadcrumbs?
Place the breadcrumbs in a shallow dish and roll the 1-inch balls in them until they are fully and evenly coated.
What type of mustard is used for the honey-mustard sauce?
The recipe uses 1/3 cup of Dijon mustard.
What should I avoid when frying the bites?
Avoid overcrowding the fryer and ensure the bites do not stick together while cooking.