Butternut Balls a
Delight your taste buds with these golden, crispy Butternut Balls—a perfect blend of creamy roasted butternut squash, savory parmesan cheese, and crunchy panko breadcrumbs, seasoned to perfection with garlic and onion powder. This versatile recipe combines wholesome ingredients with a simple yet flavorful cooking process, featuring both pan-frying for a crisp exterior and baking to ensure each bite is tender and satisfying. Ready in under an hour, these bite-sized treats are ideal as an appetizer, party snack, or even a vegetarian main course. Pair them with your favorite dipping sauce—garlic aioli, marinara, or a creamy herb dip—for an irresistible dish that will have everyone asking for seconds. Perfect for fans of butternut squash and creative vegetarian recipes, these Butternut Balls are sure to become a new favorite!
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 2 cups (mashed) butternut squash
- 1 cup panko breadcrumbs
- 0.5 cup (grated) parmesan cheese
- 1 large egg
- 0.5 teaspoon garlic powder
- 0.5 teaspoon onion powder
- 0.25 teaspoon salt
- 0.25 teaspoon black pepper
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
Instructions
Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone mat.
Slice the butternut squash in half, scoop out the seeds, and roast it in the oven cut side down for 30–40 minutes at 400°F (200°C) until tender. Alternatively, you can steam pre-cut squash for 15–20 minutes until soft.
Scoop out the cooked squash flesh and mash it in a bowl to yield 2 cups.
In a large mixing bowl, combine the mashed squash, panko breadcrumbs, grated parmesan cheese, egg, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and black pepper. Mix well until the ingredients are fully incorporated and form a slightly sticky dough.
Using your hands or a spoon, shape the mixture into 1-inch balls. You should have approximately 20–24 balls.
Heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Working in batches, lightly fry the butternut balls for about 1–2 minutes on each side until golden brown. Be careful not to overcrowd the pan.
Transfer the fried balls onto the prepared baking sheet and bake in the preheated oven for 10–12 minutes to ensure they are fully cooked and heated through.
Remove from the oven and let cool for a few minutes before serving.
Serve warm with your favorite dipping sauce, such as garlic aioli, marinara, or a creamy herb dip.
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
288 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 12.1 g | 16% | |
| Saturated Fat | 3.7 g | 18% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.0 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 58 mg | 19% | |
| Sodium | 444 mg | 19% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 35.9 g | 13% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 5.1 g | 18% | |
| Total Sugars | 4.6 g | ||
| Protein | 9.7 g | 19% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.3 mcg | 1% | |
| Calcium | 193 mg | 15% | |
| Iron | 2.2 mg | 12% | |
| Potassium | 415 mg | 9% | |
*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
