Tender protein-rich turkey bites (Print)
Protein-rich turkey bites with veggies, ideal for healthy snacking or quick appetizers.
# What You Need:
→ Meats
01 - 14 oz ground turkey breast
→ Vegetables
02 - 1 small carrot, grated
03 - 1 small zucchini, grated, excess moisture squeezed out
04 - 2 spring onions, finely sliced
05 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
→ Binding & Seasoning
06 - 1 large egg
07 - 1/2 cup gluten-free breadcrumbs or regular breadcrumbs
08 - 1 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
09 - 1 tsp dried oregano
10 - 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
11 - 1/2 tsp salt
12 - 1/4 tsp black pepper
→ For Baking
13 - 1 tbsp olive oil (for brushing)
# How to Make:
01 - Preheat the oven to 400°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
02 - In a large mixing bowl, add ground turkey, grated carrot, grated zucchini, spring onions, garlic, egg, breadcrumbs, parsley, oregano, smoked paprika, salt, and black pepper.
03 - Gently mix all components until uniformly combined, taking care not to overwork the mixture.
04 - With damp hands, form the mixture into 20 small bite-sized balls and arrange them evenly on the prepared baking sheet.
05 - Lightly brush each bite with olive oil to facilitate browning.
06 - Bake for 18 to 20 minutes at 400°F, turning once halfway through, until golden and cooked through.
07 - Allow bites to cool slightly before serving warm or at room temperature.
# Expert Advice:
01 -
- They're packed with protein but taste nothing like typical health food—your family will actually want them.
- Make a double batch and freeze them; they reheat beautifully and solve snack emergencies.
- Naturally gluten-free if you use the right breadcrumbs, and sneaks vegetables into people who claim they hate them.
02 -
- Squeeze the zucchini really well or the bites absorb water and become mushy instead of tender; use a clean kitchen towel and press hard.
- Don't skip the halfway turn during baking—it's the difference between evenly golden and unevenly cooked.
03 -
- Use damp hands when shaping the bites; it prevents sticking and gives you smoother, more evenly sized balls.
- Brush the bites with oil right before baking, not earlier, or they'll absorb it and become greasy instead of golden.