Skip to main content

Brocco Poppers

A fun and unique way to add more veggies to your day. A tasty snack or appetizer!
Scoops of seasoned and baked broccoli and cheese mixture are displayed on serving platter .
Prep time: 20 minutes
Cook time: 15 to 20 minutes
Makes: 20 pieces
Nutrition Facts: View label

Ingredients

½ cup shredded cheddar cheese (2 ounces)
2 eggs
½ cup dry bread crumbs
1 Tablespoon all-purpose flour
¼ teaspoon garlic powder
¼ teaspoon salt
¼ teaspoon black pepper
12 ounces frozen broccoli, thawed, dried and chopped very small (about 2 ½ cups)

Directions

  1. Wash hands with soap and water.
  2. Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. Lightly grease a baking sheet.
  3. In a large bowl, stir together the cheese, eggs, bread crumbs, flour, garlic powder, salt and pepper.
  4. Add broccoli to the bowl and stir all ingredients to mix them evenly.
  5. Scoop a rounded Tablespoon of the mixture onto the baking sheet and form into a ball. Leave about 1-inch between each ball.
  6. Bake until poppers are golden brown and cheese is bubbling, about 15 minutes.
  7. Remove from oven and let cool for 1 to 2 minutes before removing from the pan and serving.
  8. Refrigerate leftovers within 2 hours.

This recipe was inspired by a culinary training session for child nutrition programs provided by Oregon Department of Education and the Oregon Dairy and Nutrition Council.

Notes

  • Try adding other herbs and spices such as Italian seasoning or hot pepper sauce.
  • Try different cheeses such as pepper jack or a mixture of mozzarella and parmesan.
  • No frozen broccoli? Use fresh broccoli that is lightly cooked and chopped.
  • Make your own bread crumbs from stale bread. Try using a box grater, rolling pin or food processor.
  • No bread crumbs? Use cooked rice or quinoa instead.
  • You can freeze the brocco poppers after step 5 and cook them later. Put the baking sheet in the freezer until balls are hard. Move balls to a labeled airtight freezer-safe container and return to the freezer. When ready to bake, remove from container and place on a lightly greased baking sheet.

Comments

I only had fresh broccoli on hand, instead of frozen, and it still worked great! These Brocco Poppers are perfect as a quick and easy appetizer. Will definitely be making these again and trying out some different seasonings.

This combination of broccoli and cheese was a hit! Brocco Poppers are a fun way to enjoy broccoli for kids and adults who are shy about all things green. It really does work to freeze them for cooking later. We liked them as a side dish and also served them as an afternoon snack for a group when family visited on a holiday.

You might also like...

Recipes A to Z (without photos)

Stuffed Peppers with Turkey and Vegetables
Platter of multicolored baked bell peppers stuffed with ground turkey, vegetables and mushrooms.

Stuffed Peppers with Turkey and Vegetables

Colorful bell peppers filled with ground turkey, fresh vegetables and delicious Italian flavors.
Prepare:
10 minutes
Cook:
90 minutes
Makes:
6 Pepper Halves
Glazed Squash
Baked crescent shaped acorn squash slices sprinkled with seasoning.

Glazed Squash

A simple, 3-ingredient recipe for any type of winter squash.
Prepare:
5 minutes
Cook:
20 minutes
Makes:
3 Cups
Banana Boats
Grilled bananas topped with pineapple and shredded coconut shown on a serving platter.

Banana Boats

Try this tasty and healthy campfire treat. A fun recipe for kids to help make!
Prepare:
5 minutes
Cook:
5 minutes
Makes:
1 banana
Sautéed Peppers
Bowl of tender bell pepper and onion slices.

Sautéed Peppers

These sauteed sweet peppers and onions are delicious enjoyed on their own, added to sandwiches or pasta, or with fajitas.
Prepare:
10 minutes
Cook:
15 minutes
Makes:
4 cups
Curried Pumpkin Soup
Bowls of pumpkin mushroom soup garnished with chives.

Curried Pumpkin Soup

A one-pot recipe with creamy pumpkin and warming spices is ready in under an hour.
Prepare:
10 minutes
Cook:
30 minutes
Makes:
6 cups
Corn Pancakes
Round, golden corn pancakes displayed on a skillet and plate.

Corn Pancakes

A delicious savory alternative to traditional pancakes.
Prepare:
15 minutes
Cook:
5 minutes
Makes:
6 6-inch pancakes