These cheesy broccoli bites are crispy on the outside and warm and tender on the inside. One of the most delicious ways to serve broccoli to your kids!

My philosophy is that kids should taste and try different fruits and veggies in a variety of ways. Roasted, raw, pureed, frozen, dried, etc.  This way, kids can learn to enjoy the taste of different foods and mature their palate in a way that will prime them for tasting and trying more. These Cheesy Broccoli bites are a great way to serve your kids broccoli with a different flavor, texture and visual appeal that they may have tried before.

Cheesy Broccoli Bites

This cheesy snack would make a great side dish, appetizer, or even just a veggie packed snack!   If I’m serving it as a side dish, I like to pair these bites with chicken and rice. If I’m serving them as a snack, sometimes I’ll whip up a yummy yogurt based dip to go with them.

You can also experiment with different add-ins.  Try onions, garlic, pepper, or different types of cheese.

How to Make Cheesy Broccoli Bites

You can think of these bites as cute little veggie filled pancakes. The process for making them isn’t very different!

1. The first step is to steam your broccoli just until soft. This helps the broccoli mix better with the other ingredients and also bring out the sweetness in the broccoli which masks any bitter flavor.
2. Next, mix all of the ingredients together in a food processor. Make sure you pulse so that you don’t make a ball of mush. You still want to be able to visibly see tiny pieces of broccoli.
3. Heat a skillet with olive oil to medium high heat.
4. Scoop small balls of the mixture (I like to use a cookie scoop or a 1/4 cup measuring cup) and place on your hot skillet. Use a spatula or the bottom of the measuring cup to flatten slightly.
5. Cook on each side until brown and crispy. These are best when served hot and crispy!

Ingredients You Will Need for This Recipe

This recipe is very simple and you will only need 5 main ingredients:

• Broccoli – You can buy a head of broccoli and cut it down, or buy pre cut broccoli florets. Either is a great option depending on what is available at your store.
• Eggs – These act as a binder, and also add some protein to this recipe.
• Panko – We like to use panko instead of breadcrumbs because of the distinct crunch it provides.
• Parmesan Cheese – The salty unique flavor of Parmesan is the perfect compliment to the broccoli in this recipe.
• Olive Oil – Olive oil has a higher smoke point and is a great option for sizzling these broccoli bites.

 Most Commonly Asked Questions About Cheesy Broccoli Bites

Question: Can I freeze these after they are cooked? Yes! After they come out of the oven, cool them completely and then freeze flat on a pan. After they are frozen through, you can stack in an airtight container for up to 3 months. To reheat, we just put them in the microwave for 30 seconds until heated through.

Question: Can I make these with a different type of cheese? Yes! Cheddar cheese is another great option. Colby Jack works good also, but there is less flavor than cheddar or parmesan.

Question: Can I use frozen broccoli in this recipe? You can – just steam the frozen broccoli and then slightly squeeze with a paper towel or cheese cloth to remove some of the moisture before adding to the food processor.

Question: Is there something I can substitute for the panko? You can use bread crumbs, ground oats, or another gluten free/low carb option is to use quinoa flakes.

Question: My child has an egg allergy, any substitutes for the eggs? While I haven’t personally tried an egg substitute, some readers have used a flax egg and had success with this recipe.

Question: How many bites does this recipe make? When I make them they are fairly small and I usually get 20 bites.

More Favorite Broccoli Recipes

Broccoli Salad Makeover – This is the recipe that won me over into liking raw broccoli. Its sweet, creamy and soooo good.

Broccoli Mashed Potatoes – Fresh broccoli gives creamy mashed potatoes a boost of flavor and nutrition.

Cheesy Veggie Quinoa Cakes – These savory cakes have baked pieces of broccoli with sweet peas and shredded carrots.

Broccoli Trees and Sandy Beaches – This is a fun snack with broccoli and hummus that will keep your kids satisfied!

• 2 cup broccoli, florets
• 2 large egg
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 cup panko (Japanese bread crumbs)
• 2 ounce Parmesan cheese, grated
• 2 tablespoon olive oil

• Steam broccoli just until fork-tender.

• Add broccoli, egg, salt, bread crumbs, and Parmesan to a food processor; blend just until finely chopped. Using 1 tablespoon at a time, form into balls.

• Heat oil in a skillet. Drop balls of broccoli mixture into hot oil, flattening with a spatula. Cook both sides until crispy.

• Serve warm and crispy.

Calories: 41kcal | Carbohydrates: 2g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 3g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 1g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 21mg | Sodium: 123mg | Potassium: 42mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 108IU | Vitamin C: 8mg | Calcium: 41mg | Iron: 1mg