Steamed Broccoli and Cheese Bites
By the GreenSpoon Kids kitchen
Tender broccoli florets coated in melted cheese, cut into baby-safe pieces. A simple way to introduce green vegetables with a familiar, comforting cheese flavor.
Broccoli and cheese bites are one of the friendliest ways to put a green vegetable in front of a baby who is just learning to feed themselves. Soft-steamed broccoli is bound with melted cheddar and a little egg yolk, then baked into small, gummable bites a 10 to 12 month old can pick up and gnaw on. The familiar, comforting cheese flavor does a lot of the work, turning broccoli from a hard sell into something your baby actually reaches for.
Ingredients(5)
- 1 cup broccoli florets
- 30g mild cheddar cheese, finely grated
- 1 tablespoon cream cheese
- 2 tablespoons breadcrumbs
- 1 egg yolk
Instructions(10 steps)
- 1
Break broccoli into very small florets (coin-sized pieces).
- 2
Steam the broccoli for 8-10 minutes until very soft - it should squish easily between your fingers.
- 3
While broccoli steams, finely grate the cheddar cheese.
- 4
Once steamed, chop the broccoli finely on a cutting board.
- 5
In a bowl, combine chopped broccoli, grated cheddar, cream cheese, breadcrumbs, and egg yolk.
- 6
Mix well until everything holds together.
- 7
Form into small bite-sized balls (about 1 tablespoon each).
- 8
Place on a lined baking tray and flatten slightly.
- 9
Bake at 180C/350F for 12-15 minutes until lightly golden.
- 10
Cool completely on a wire rack before serving - cheese inside will be very hot.
Nutritional Highlights
- -Broccoli provides calcium, iron, and vitamin C
- -Cheese adds protein and calcium for bone development
- -Egg yolk offers healthy fats and vitamin D
- -Good source of fiber from broccoli
Age Appropriateness
Great for 10-12 month olds with a developing pincer grasp. These are soft enough to gum safely. Always supervise eating and cut in half if bites are too large.
Introduction Tip
If baby rejects broccoli on its own, the cheese flavor here can help build positive associations with green vegetables.
Why this works
Around 10 to 12 months, babies are refining the finger-and-thumb pincer grasp, and small bites like these are exactly the right size to practice on. Steaming the broccoli until it squishes easily keeps it soft enough to gum with no teeth required, and baking the mixture into little patties means they hold together in a tiny fist instead of falling apart. Pairing a new green vegetable with cheese, a flavor most babies already trust, is a gentle way to build a positive first impression, which matters because early, relaxed exposure is how a taste for vegetables gets built.
Variations and swaps
- Swap the cheddar for another mild melting cheese, or stir in a spoonful of cream cheese for a softer bite.
- Add or swap other soft vegetables: finely chopped steamed cauliflower, peas, or grated carrot all work.
- No egg yet: a couple of tablespoons of mashed potato or sweet potato can help bind the mixture instead of egg yolk.
- Make them smoother for a younger baby by chopping the broccoli very fine before mixing.
- Serve with a yogurt or mashed-avocado dip for older babies who enjoy dunking.
Make ahead and storage
Keep cooled bites covered in the fridge for up to 2 to 3 days. They freeze well too: freeze on a tray until solid, then bag for up to 1 month and reheat until piping hot all the way through before cooling to serve. Because there is cheese inside, always let them cool fully before offering, since the center holds heat. Reheated bites should be warm, not hot, when they reach the tray.
What to serve with it
Serve two or three bites at a time alongside other soft finger foods like steamed carrot sticks or soft fruit, so the tray feels varied without being overwhelming. A small dish of plain yogurt for dipping makes it more fun for babies who are ready. Sit your baby upright, stay close, and let them set the pace, even if more ends up squished than eaten at first.
Common questions
Can babies eat broccoli and cheese?
Yes. Steamed until very soft, broccoli is a great early vegetable, and a little mild cheese is fine for most babies over 6 months as part of a varied diet. Introduce them as you would any new foods, and make sure the broccoli is soft enough to mash easily with no firm stalks.
Are these a choking risk?
Kept small and soft, they are designed to be safe for this age, but always serve them in baby-sized pieces and cut any larger bite in half. Sit your baby upright in a high chair, stay within arm's reach the whole time, and never let them eat while moving or distracted.
There is egg yolk in these. How do I introduce egg?
Egg is a common allergen, and current advice is to introduce it early rather than delay. If your baby has not had egg before, offer a little plain cooked egg on its own first and watch for any reaction over a few hours before making these. If there is a family history of allergy, check with your pediatrician first.
My baby refuses anything green. Will this help?
It often does, because the cheese makes the broccoli familiar and appealing rather than a battle. Keep offering without pressure, even if the first few land on the floor. It can take many calm tries before a baby accepts a new vegetable, and that is completely normal.
