Description
These Veggie Rice Balls are a delightful and wholesome snack or appetizer, combining steamed vegetables with cheese, eggs, and rice. Baked to a golden brown, they offer a healthy and flavorful way to enjoy your veggies, perfect for parties, lunchboxes, or a light meal.
Ingredients
Scale
Vegetables
- 1/2 cup steamed carrot
- 1/2 cup steamed broccoli
Wet Ingredients
- 1 whole egg, lightly beaten
Dairy
- 1/2 cup freshly grated white cheddar cheese
Seasonings
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- Freshly cracked black pepper to taste
Grains
- 2 cups cooked white rice
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and cover a large baking sheet with parchment paper. Set aside to prepare the rice balls.
- Mash Vegetables: In a large bowl or shallow dish, combine the steamed carrot and broccoli. Use a fork or potato masher to mash the vegetables until only small chunks remain, ensuring a good texture for the rice balls.
- Mix Wet Ingredients and Seasonings: Add the lightly beaten egg, freshly grated white cheddar cheese, garlic powder, salt, and freshly cracked black pepper to the mashed vegetables. Mix thoroughly until everything is well combined to bind the mixture.
- Add Rice: Incorporate the cooked white rice into the vegetable and seasoning mix. Use your hands to mix everything evenly, ensuring the rice is fully coated and integrated.
- Form Rice Balls: Scoop out portions of the mixture using a 1 tablespoon cookie scoop or your hands, then roll them into uniform balls. This recipe yields approximately 30 rice balls using the tablespoon scoop size. You can make larger balls for 12-17 servings depending on your preference.
- Bake: Arrange the rice balls on the prepared baking sheet. Bake in the preheated oven for 25-27 minutes, or until the balls are golden brown on the outside.
- Cool and Serve: Remove the rice balls from the oven and let them cool for a few minutes. Serve warm as a snack or side dish. Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Notes
- Using a cookie scoop helps create uniform rice balls for even cooking.
- You can adjust the size of the rice balls to suit your serving needs; smaller balls make great finger foods.
- Leftovers can be refrigerated and gently reheated before serving.
- For a crispier exterior, consider lightly spraying the rice balls with cooking spray before baking.
- Feel free to substitute white rice with brown rice for added fiber and nutrients.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 27 minutes
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: Veggie Rice Balls, baked rice balls, vegetable snacks, healthy appetizers, vegetarian rice balls, cheddar cheese rice balls
