Description
These Veggie Rice Balls are a delicious and healthy snack or side dish made by combining steamed vegetables, cheddar cheese, and white rice. Baked to golden perfection, they offer a perfect balance of creamy, savory flavors and a satisfying texture. Ideal for gatherings or meal prep, they’re easy to make and versatile for any occasion.
Ingredients
Vegetables
- 1/2 cup steamed carrot
- 1/2 cup steamed broccoli
Binding and Flavoring
- 1 whole egg, lightly beaten
- 1/2 cup freshly grated white cheddar cheese
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- Freshly cracked black pepper to taste
Base
- 2 cups cooked white rice
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a large baking sheet with parchment paper. Set aside to prepare for baking the rice balls.
- Mash the Veggies: In a large bowl or shallow dish, combine the steamed carrot and broccoli. Use a fork or potato masher to mash them until only small chunks remain, creating a textured vegetable base for the rice balls.
- Mix Binding Ingredients: 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 the ingredients are well combined, which will help bind the mixture together.
- Combine with Rice: Add the cooked white rice to the vegetable mixture. Using your hands, mix everything together evenly, ensuring the rice incorporates well with the veggies and binding ingredients.
- Shape the Rice Balls: Using your hands, form the mixture into balls. For uniform size, you can use a 1 tablespoon cookie scoop to portion the mixture and then roll into balls. Depending on size, you will get between 12 to 30 rice balls.
- Bake: Place the rice balls on the prepared baking sheet spaced apart. Bake in the preheated oven for 25–27 minutes or until the rice balls turn golden brown on the outside.
- Cool and Serve: Remove the rice balls from the oven and let them cool for a few minutes before serving. Enjoy them warm as a snack or side dish.
- Storage: Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days to maintain freshness.
Notes
- Using a cookie scoop helps keep the rice balls uniform in size for even baking.
- You can adjust the size of the rice balls to your preference; larger balls will yield fewer servings.
- Ensure vegetables are well steamed and mashed for better texture and binding.
- Substitute white rice with brown rice for a healthier variation, though the texture may differ slightly.
- These rice balls can be served with a dipping sauce such as marinara or a yogurt-based dip for added flavor.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 27 minutes
- Category: Snack
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
