Crispy Parmesan Broccoli Bites
Crispy Parmesan broccoli bites are coated with butter and finely grated cheese, then roasted until tender with golden, crispy edges. This easy 5-ingredient recipe makes a delicious appetizer, snack, or side dish.
Servings 4 servings
Calories 135kcal
Ingredients
- 4 cups fresh broccoli florets washed and thoroughly dried; do not use frozen (see notes)
- 2 Tablespoons unsalted butter melted; half of the butter can be substituted with olive oil
- ½ cup Parmesan cheese, finely grated
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 425 degrees°F.
- Toss broccoli florets with melted butter in a large bowl. Check for pieces not coated with butter, then toss again or use a silicone pastry brush to fill in those spots. There shouldn't be any butter left in the bottom of the bowl. If there is, drain it out.
- Combine Parmesan cheese, paprika, and pepper, then sprinkle over the butter-coated broccoli florets still in the large bowl.
- Cover with a tight-fitting lid and gently toss to coat, allowing the cheese mixture to settle between the tiny buds of the florets. You will likely have a little cheese left over. Sprinkle it over the top or discard it.
- Arrange broccoli in a single layer on a baking sheet coated in nonstick spray.
- Bake for 20 minutes or until edges begin to crisp, flipping halfway through.
Air Fryer Instructions
- Preheat an air fryer to 390°F for 3 minutes, then prepare the broccoli as in steps 2 - 4.
- Spray the crisper plate with olive oil, then arrange the prepared broccoli in a single layer. Lightly spray the florets with olive oil to help them crisp.
- Cook for about 20 minutes or until tender. Turn the pieces over halfway through with a rubber-tipped spatula so they don't stick or burn.
Notes
Equipment: Use a large, sealable plastic freezer bag instead of a lidded bowl to coat the broccoli, if desired.
Frozen broccoli: Do not use frozen broccoli because the coating does not adhere properly.
Reheating: Broccoli Bites are best eaten fresh, but you can crisp them up again in an air fryer or oven at 350°F for about 5-10 minutes, or until hot. We don't recommend microwaving them because they will get soggy.
Make-Ahead Tips: Prepare the broccoli and cheese mixture 2-3 days in advance and store separately, then coat just before baking. You can also coat the florets a day ahead and store them in an airtight container until ready to cook.
Nutrition
Serving: 1cup | Calories: 135kcal | Carbohydrates: 8g | Protein: 6g | Fat: 10g | Saturated Fat: 6g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 2g | Trans Fat: 0.2g | Cholesterol: 26mg | Sodium: 250mg | Potassium: 325mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 2g | Calcium: 157mg | Iron: 1mg
