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)

Spring Fling Vegetable Chowder
Bowl of soup with asparagus and potatoes topped with cheddar cheese.

Spring Fling Vegetable Chowder

A delicious chowder packed with spring vegetables, hearty potatoes and topped with cheddar cheese.
Prepare:
15 minutes
Cook:
30 minutes
Makes:
8 cups
Italian Seasoning Mix
bowl of Italian Seasoning Mix

Italian Seasoning Mix

Make your own dried Italian-style seasoning mix to choose the blend of herbs you like best.
Prepare:
5 minutes
Makes:
½ cup
Overnight Oatmeal
Ceramic bowl with creamy oatmeal topped with raspberries and blueberries.

Overnight Oatmeal

Quick and easy make-ahead breakfast recipe that can be easily customized with your favorite fruit.
Prepare:
15 minutes
Cook:
6-12 hours
Makes:
4 cups
Harissa Roasted Butternut Squash
Wooden bowl of seasoned butternut squash, pumpkin seeds and fresh herbs.

Harissa Roasted Butternut Squash

Thanks to Chef Nephi Craig for this beautiful recipe for seasoned squash sprinkled with seeds, nuts and herbs.
Prepare:
25 minutes
Cook:
20 minutes
Makes:
6 cups
Carrot Pancakes
Photo of Carrot Pancakes

Carrot Pancakes

A fun and healthy twist on pancakes to enjoy at any meal.
Prepare:
15 minutes
Cook:
10 minutes
Makes:
7 Pancakes
Peachy Keen Flavored Water
Glasses of fruit flavored water with sage.

Peachy Keen Flavored Water

Enjoy the taste of summer in this refreshing flavored water.
Prepare:
5 minutes
Makes:
6 servings