Broccoli & Cheese Bites

Ingredients

• 90 g (1 cup)broccoli florets
• 56 g (½ cup)shredded cheddar cheese
• 1egg

Instructions

1. 1

   Prepare the tin

   Heat the oven to 190°C (375°F). Line a mini-muffin tin with paper cases or grease it well.

2. 2

   Cook the broccoli

   Steam the broccoli florets until very tender, then chop them finely or mash them.

3. 3

   Mix the ingredients

   In a bowl, stir together the chopped broccoli, shredded cheddar and beaten egg.

4. 4

   Fill the cups

   Spoon the mixture into the mini-muffin cups and press it down firmly.

5. 5

   Bake and cool

   Bake for 18–20 minutes, until set and lightly golden on top. Cool completely before serving.

What are broccoli and cheese bites?

These are small savoury bakes made by binding tender broccoli and cheddar with egg. They are a simple baby-food adaptation of a baked vegetable-and-cheese bite, shaped in a mini-muffin tin.

The method works because finely chopped, soft broccoli mixes evenly with the egg and cheese. The mini portions also make the mixture easy to portion and bake.

Nutrition and macros by portion

The nutrition label shows one serving as written: 331 calories, 23g protein, 9g carbs, 23g fat.

The broccoli contributes most of the carbohydrates and fibre, while the cheddar and egg provide most of the fat and protein. Serve with another suitable soft fruit or vegetable to add variety to the plate.

Choose and prepare the broccoli

Tender florets: steam them until very soft before chopping or mashing. Finely broken-up broccoli is easier to combine and helps the bites hold together.

Even pieces: chop any larger pieces small so they are distributed through the mixture rather than sticking out of a bite.

Get the mixture into the tin

Beat the egg: mix it before adding it to the broccoli and cheese so it can coat the ingredients evenly.

Press firmly: pack the mixture into each mini-muffin cup. A compact fill helps the bites set into a more cohesive shape.

Check the texture and doneness

Tender broccoli: the florets should be very soft before they go into the mixture; baking alone will not soften them as much as steaming first.

Set centres: bake for 18–20 minutes, looking for bites that hold their shape and are lightly golden on top. Let them cool completely before offering them.

Timing and equipment

Mini-muffin tin: line the cups or grease them well before filling to make the bites easier to remove.

Plan for cooling: the recipe takes 30 minutes in total, including baking and cooling. Allow the bites to cool completely before serving.

Serving for a baby

Serve only when the baby is ready for solid foods, often around 6 months, and follow their feeding cues. Offer an appropriately sized piece with the baby seated upright and supervised throughout.

Check the texture before serving: it should be soft enough to squash easily between your fingers. Pair with another age-appropriate soft food if you want to make a more varied meal.

Recipe notes & tips

• Steam the broccoli until very tender before chopping it.
• Chop the florets finely for a more even mixture.
• Grease the mini-muffin cups thoroughly if you are not using liners.
• Press the mixture firmly into each cup so the bites hold together.
• Cool the bites completely before serving.

Variations

• Milder cheese: use a mild cheddar for a less pronounced cheese flavour.
• Finer texture: mash the steamed broccoli instead of chopping it.
• Softer bites: chop the broccoli especially finely before mixing.
• Different vegetable: replace some broccoli with another cooked, finely chopped vegetable.
• Larger batch: multiply all three ingredients by the same amount and bake in batches if needed.

Common mistakes to avoid

• Broccoli is too firm: steam it longer until very tender before chopping.
• Large broccoli pieces: chop or mash them finely so the mixture holds together evenly.
• Loose filling: press the mixture firmly into each muffin cup before baking.
• Bites stick to the tin: line the cups or grease them well before filling.
• Serving while hot: let the bites cool completely before offering them.

How to store

Refrigerate cooled bites in a covered container and use within 2 days. Reheat until hot throughout, then cool completely before serving; check the texture again.

Frequently asked questions