Flavor packed little broccoli nuggets. The perfect side or appetizer. Served with a tangy cooling dipping sauce, these bites are so fun and delicious to eat. Everyone in the family will love these.
Start by cutting the broccoli heads into smaller size florets. Discard the stems.
Cook the broccoli florets in salted boiling water for 5-7 minutes until very tender.
While the broccoli cooks, prepare the rest of the mixture.
Peel, trim and finely shred the carrots. Add them to a large bowl.
Trim and chop the scallions very finely, add them to the carrots.
Add the eggs and the shredded mozzarella cheese.
Mix the ingredients well.
In a separate small bowl, combine the flour, baking soda, baking powder and salt.
Add the flour mixture to the carrot mixture. Combine until slightly mixed.
Drain the broccoli and chop as fine as you can. Try to leave the broccoli chunks in pea size bits.
Add the broccoli to the carrot mixture once it has cooled a little bit.
Combine the broccoli into the mixture and stop mixing as soon as the flour has been completely absorbed. DO NOT OVER MIX
In a medium size pan, add 2-3 tablespoons of oil. Let the oil heat to a medium high temperature.
Using a small ice cream scooper, scoop out the mixture. Do not over crowd the pan. Fry 5-6 bites at a time.
Cook the bites for 2-3 minutes per side.
Before flipping them, pat the bites softly to make them a bit flat.
When cooked on both sides, place the bites on a paper towel so the excess oil can be absorbed.
While resting on the paper towel, sprinkle a little salt to each bite.
Repeat the frying process with the rest of the mixture. Add oil as needed. This frying process is on the slower side of things, it is not a flash fry, it’s more of a slow sear.
For the dipping sauce:
In a small bowl, combine the sour cream, mayo, lemon zest and lemon juice.
Add a few dashes of cayenne pepper (depending on how spicy you like it) and season with salt and pepper.
Serve the bites while they are still warm.
Recipe Video Instructions
Notes
If served later, these bites reheat beautifully in a air fryer or a hot (400°) oven.