Wholesome Kale Bites Snack (Printable Version)

Crispy and tender kale bites packed with fresh vegetables and cheese, ideal for a nutritious snack.

# What You'll Need:

→ Vegetables

01 - 2 cups packed fresh kale leaves, stems removed and finely chopped
02 - 1 small carrot, peeled and grated
03 - 1 small onion, finely diced
04 - 2 cloves garlic, minced

→ Dairy

05 - 1/2 cup grated cheddar cheese
06 - 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese

→ Dry Ingredients

07 - 1 cup whole wheat breadcrumbs

→ Wet Ingredients

08 - 2 large eggs

→ Seasonings

09 - 1/2 teaspoon salt
10 - 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
11 - 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
12 - 1/4 teaspoon smoked paprika

# How To Make:

01 - Preheat oven to 375°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
02 - In a large bowl, mix kale, grated carrot, diced onion, and minced garlic until evenly blended.
03 - Add grated cheddar, Parmesan, and whole wheat breadcrumbs to the vegetable mixture and stir to combine.
04 - In a separate bowl, lightly beat the eggs.
05 - Add beaten eggs, salt, black pepper, dried thyme, and smoked paprika to the bowl; mix thoroughly until fully incorporated.
06 - Form the mixture into 1.5-inch diameter balls using hands or a small scoop; arrange evenly spaced on the prepared baking sheet.
07 - Bake for 22 to 25 minutes until the bites are golden brown and firm to the touch.
08 - Allow the bites to cool slightly before serving. Serve warm or at room temperature.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • They taste like comfort food but sneak in vegetables so cleverly that even skeptics won't notice they're eating kale
  • Once you master the basic technique, you can make a batch in under 40 minutes and have healthy snacks for days
  • They work for almost any occasion—casual weeknight snacking, impressing guests at parties, or packing into lunchboxes
02 -
  • The mixture needs to be cohesive enough to hold together but not so wet that it falls apart in your hands. If you find it's too loose, add a tablespoon more breadcrumbs at a time
  • Don't skip the parchment paper—I learned this the hard way when my first batch stuck stubbornly to the sheet. Parchment is your friend and takes seconds to use
  • These will firm up as they cool, so even if they feel slightly soft when you first take them out, they'll set up beautifully once they cool
03 -
  • Make a double batch and freeze the shaped bites before baking on a parchment-lined tray, then transfer to a freezer bag once solid. You can bake them directly from frozen, just add a few minutes to the cooking time
  • The secret to maximum crispiness is using fresh grated cheese and panko breadcrumbs—they create a better texture than pre-shredded or regular breadcrumbs

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