Broccoli Poppers Recipe (2024)

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Broccoli Poppers Recipe (1)

By Natalie Monson

Published on January 14, 2015

31 Comments

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My kids actually truly love broccoli. I can pretty much serve it anyway except for raw and they will eat it. But for those of you whose kids struggle with eating broccoli, you may have to get a little more creative to get them to try it. These broccoli poppers are gooey and cheesy on the inside, with a crunch on the outside and make eating broccoli super delicious. A great alternative to spicy fried jalapeno poppers!

Begin with your broccoli. You can use fresh or frozen, but I prefer fresh because there is less water. You will eventually have to squeeze out the water, whether you use fresh or frozen,so it is totally up to you what type of broccoli you use. Either with a food processor or a knife, chop your broccoli into super tiny pieces. Next, steam your broccoli for a couple minutes until tender. Then squeeze out the water. Add the rest of your ingredients to your bowl, and mix. ThisBroccoli Poppers Recipe calls for cheddar cheese, but you can use any kind you want. This round we used 1/2 Parmesan and 1/2 Mozzarella. I kind of prefer the stronger taste of cheddar though. Scoop out tablespoon size balls of the mixture and roll in Panko. Place on a cookie sheet lined with parchment or sprayed. Bake until golden and crispy.

We like to dip these in homemade ranch but they are yummy just by themselves. They make a great appetizer, or even a side dish to your meal. These would be yummy served with a pasta dish, or a slow cookermeal.

Broccoli definitely has a unique flavor that can take some acquiring to if your kids don’t like it. We believe it is important to serve vegetables in different forms, because you never know what your kids will love. These broccoli bites are another yummy way to serve broccoli. They may not like steamed broccoli or raw broccoli, but they may love roasted broccoli or broccoli poppers!

Broccoli Poppers Recipe (7)

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3.4 from 79 votes

Broccoli Poppers

Prep Time15 minutes mins

Cook Time20 minutes mins

Total Time35 minutes mins

Course: Appetizer

Cuisine: American

Calories: 207kcal

Ingredients

Instructions

  • Place broccoli in a food processor and pulse into tiny peices. (You can also chop with a knife)

  • Steam your broccoli for 2-3 minutesuntil tender.

  • Squeeze out the excess water by pressing on the broccoli with a towel. Transfer to a bowl.

  • Add the rest of your ingredients to you bowl except for Panko, and mix.

  • Scoop out tablespoon size balls of the mixture and roll in Panko. Place on a cookie sheet lined with parchment or sprayed.

  • Bake at 350 degrees F, for 10-15 minutes or until golden and crispy.

  • Serve warm with your favorite dipping sauce.

Nutrition

Calories: 207kcal | Carbohydrates: 15g | Protein: 12g | Fat: 11g | Saturated Fat: 6g | Cholesterol: 75mg | Sodium: 283mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 2g

www.superhealthykids.com

Broccoli Poppers Recipe (8)
Broccoli Poppers Recipe (9)

Natalie Monson

I'm a registered dietitian, mom of 4, avid lover of food and strong promoter of healthy habits. Here you will find lots of delicious recipes full of fruits and veggies, tips for getting your kids to eat better and become intuitive eaters and lots of resources for feeding your family.

Learn More about Natalie

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31 Comments

Would a flax egg work in place of the egg in this recipe?

Reply

Yes that should work fine.

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These look so fun! It’s so true that you need to keep trying serving vegetables in different forms. My oldest will only eat raw broccoli, while my youngest will eat it sautéed or roasted, but not raw! It’s never easy, right? 😉

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Just popped these in the oven – hoping for a thumbs-up after school snack!

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do these freeze well if you wanted to make ahead

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We have never frozen them, but if you try it let us know how it turns out!

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Im in chch nz, where wld ubuy panko and what is it? Any”substitutes?

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Panko is dry, fine breadcrumbs made without the crust. You could substitute regular fine breadcrumbs.

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I bet these would freeze very well! I cannot wait to try these & I am sure my girls will love rolling them in Panko for me! Thank you for your work!

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As the mom of a toddler who’s vegetarian, this is a great option to expand his diet. Love it! Healthy, vegetarian and fit!

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Hi – could I replace the cheese with something?
I don’t want to give my daughter cheese.

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I’m not sure anything else would turn out the same. If you experiment, let us know what works for you!

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When does the Egg come into the recipe, it’s not stated??? Please n thank y!

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Did you read step #4?

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Egg is included in #4: Add the rest of your ingredients to you bowl except for Panko, and mix.

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Martha Vargas: I’m assuming in step 4, where it says combine all other ingrediants except panko.
I’m going to give these a try this afternoon!! Sounds delicious!!!! 😀

Reply

Yep! You are right!

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Also curious about the egg, where does that go?

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You are all right – it goes in step 4 with the rest of the ingredients. Thanks!

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Do we need to use Panko? Is there any replacement, because I think where I live do not sell Panko.

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kezia – you can definitely use bread crumbs. Panko just makes it a little more crunchy, but it will turn out fine with bread crumbs 🙂

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I made these tonight. I used seasoned panko and also added salt, pepper and a little cayenne to the mixture (used extra sharp white cheddar for the cheese). I’m glad I added the extra stuff, because I still found them to be a little bland. I will definitely make again though. May try with cauliflower as well, though I suspect it will be wetter than the broccoli.

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Do you need to steam the broccoli?

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Yes, you steam it after it is chopped.

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how many servings does this recipe make?

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It makes about 30 poppers depending on the size of scoop you use 🙂

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Nutritional Facts?
Serving size?
Calories?
Protein Grams?
Fat Grams?

Reply

All the recipes we add to our membership site has the calories, fat, carbs, fiber, and sugar. You can see more details here:
https://www.superhealthykids.com/meal-plan-memberships/
The other recipes we post for our blog can be calculated at http://nutritiondata.self.com/ Thanks for reading!

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If you chop the broccoli into tiny pieces before you steam it, won’t it fall through the holes in the steamer basket?

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Broccoli Poppers Recipe (10)
Pretty good. The panko taste is a little overpowering. I cooked mine for an extra 5 minutes.

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Broccoli Poppers Recipe (11)

Reply

Broccoli Poppers Recipe (2024)

FAQs

How to make raw broccoli taste good? ›

Broccoli has a simple taste that can be paired subtly with lemon pepper, or salt and black pepper, or combined with bold flavors like balsamic vinegar, basil, and fresh ginger. These common flavors will add to natural taste of the broccoli, and can even be combined with other raw vegetables to make a salad.

How long does broccoli take to boil? ›

To boil, place in a pan of boiling water and cook the florets for 6-8 minutes. To steam, place in a steamer over boiling water and cook for 6-8 minutes. Broccoli to be stir-fried should be separated into bite-sized florets, heat 1 tbsp of oil in a frying pan and add the florets, cook for 4-5 minutes or until tender.

How to make broccoli taste good without adding calories? ›

Healthiest Way to Cook Broccoli

Lightly sauteed with garlic and a splash of water. It's that simple. Cooking broccoli in this way retains most of its colour, nutritional value along with that crunch that results in a delicious side dish that even my youngest and pickiest eater enjoys.

How to prepare broccoli for cooking? ›

Trim and cut the stalk in half, then finely slice it. Once boiling, use a slotted spoon to carefully lower the broccoli into the water. Cook for 3 to 4 minutes, or until tender – you should be able to poke the tip of a knife easily into the florets.

Why do I taste bitter after eating broccoli? ›

The classic bitter taste of Brassica vegetables is commonly thought to be due to compounds called glucosinolates. When we chew a big mouthful of broccoli or cauliflower these molecules are converted into a chemical called isothiocyanate, which is responsible for the pungent flavor many struggle to overcome.

What makes raw broccoli bitter? ›

Hi Maxine, there can be several reasons why broccoli is bitter, the main one is that it is starting to 'bolt', this is when the plant starts to flower prematurely. Bolting can be caused by temperature fluctuations (hot and cold) or too much heat, broccoli are a cool weather crop.

Do you add broccoli before or after water boils? ›

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cut broccoli into bite-size florets of about the same size. Add broccoli to the boiling water and cook for a maximum of 2 and ½ to 3 minutes. Drain immediately.

Is it better to boil or cook broccoli? ›

While boiled broccoli is often soggy, steamed broccoli is characteristically crisp-tender. Plus, when you boil broccoli, some of the nutrients leach into the boiling water. You don't have to worry about that with steaming. Your steamed broccoli will be a great meal-prep building block because it's like a blank canvas.

Should broccoli be cooked in boiling water? ›

Broccoli can be eaten raw, but blanching it quickly in boiling water helps give it a more crisp-tender texture and bring out its flavor. Broccoli can also be steamed, sautéed, and roasted. You could even throw long spears on the grill!

What seasoning is good for broccoli? ›

It's definitely hard to find a spice or herb that doesn't work with broccoli or broccolini. Any combination of garlic, salt, pepper and any classic herbs, (basil, rosemary, sage, parsley, tarragon, thyme, etc.,) is a surefire way to treat these veggies right.

What should I season my broccoli with? ›

Oven Roasted Broccoli Serving Suggestions
  1. Toss it with chopped fresh herbs like parsley or thyme.
  2. Sprinkle it with lemon zest and toss it with a simple lemon vinaigrette.
  3. Drizzle it with sesame oil and tamari or soy sauce and sprinkle it with toasted sesame seeds.

What is the healthiest way to eat broccoli? ›

Moreover, too much exposure to high temperatures destroys the enzyme that converts the inactive glucosinolates to active compounds. Serving broccoli raw is an excellent option, since it retains these nutrients and the enzyme that forms isothiocyanate compounds.

Can I just boil broccoli? ›

Bring a pot of salted water to a boil. Add the broccoli florets and cook, uncovered, until tender, 2 to 3 minutes depending on the size of the florets. Drain into a colander, transfer to a plate, sprinkle with salt and pepper and serve with lemon wedges.

Is boiled broccoli healthy? ›

Broccoli can be eaten cooked or raw — both are perfectly healthy but provide different nutrient profiles. Different cooking methods, such as boiling, microwaving, stir-frying and steaming, alter the vegetable's nutrient composition, particularly reducing vitamin C, as well as soluble protein and sugar.

What do you soak broccoli in before cooking? ›

Soak Broccoli In Water. Not sure if you've gotten all the dirt and contaminants off? No problem. Submerge broccoli in a bowl, making sure water covers every floret and let it sit for 2 to 4 minutes.

How do you make raw vegetables taste better? ›

How to Bring More Flavor to Your Vegetables
  1. Try a Healthy Dip. Complement your raw vegetables with healthy dips such as hummus or miso yogurt dressing. ...
  2. Stuff Your Vegetables. ...
  3. Try New Cooking Methods. ...
  4. Use Citrus. ...
  5. Add Spices and Seasonings.
May 5, 2023

How to cook broccoli if you don't like it? ›

Garlic and butter help make broccoli taste irresistible. Simply sautee the broccoli in a pan with just a little butter, some onions and grated garlic and voila! Add a drizzle of lemon if desired.

Why does restaurant broccoli taste so good? ›

Many restaurants roast or pan-fry their vegetable side dishes in bacon, butter, or other animal fat – or a mixture of these. Why? Because it makes veggies taste richer, more flavorful, and saltier than they would if you cooked them at home, which encourages you and other customers to keep coming back for more.

Is it okay to eat raw broccoli? ›

Serving broccoli raw is an excellent option, since it retains these nutrients and the enzyme that forms isothiocyanate compounds. Before serving on a relish tray or salad, quickly blanching and cooling allows you to get even a bit more of these compounds.

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