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)

Roasted Green Beans
Plater of tender green beans.

Roasted Green Beans

A simple and easy recipe for making summer fresh green beans. The perfect side for any meal.
Prepare:
10 minutes
Cook:
20 minutes
Makes:
3 cups
Kiwi Salsa
Platter of chopped kiwi with dressing.

Kiwi Salsa

Sweet kiwi, fresh jalapeño, and tangy lime make this the perfect salsa for topping fish.
Prepare:
15 minutes
Makes:
1 cup
Fruity French Toast Casserole
Baking dish with a layer of bread cubes, peaches and a crumbly topping.

Fruity French Toast Casserole

A baked version of French toast with your favorite fruit. Ready in about an hour!
Prepare:
10 minutes
Cook:
45 minutes
Makes:
8 Cups
Spinach and Black Bean Enchiladas
Casserole dish with tortillas filled with a bean, corn and spinach mix with red sauce.

Spinach and Black Bean Enchiladas

Enjoy these Spinach and Black Bean Enchiladas for an easy and satisfying meal.
Prepare:
15 minutes
Cook:
20 minutes
Makes:
8 enchiladas
Sautéed Beet Greens
Plate of dark green beet leaves.

Sautéed Beet Greens

These sautéed beet greens are made with tangy lemon juice and a dash of red pepper flakes.
Prepare:
5 minutes
Cook:
10 minutes
Makes:
3 Servings
Fish and Spinach Bake
Fish filet on a spinach bed with a layer of tomato and green onion.

Fish and Spinach Bake

Healthy baked fish with fresh and frozen veggies and cajun spices.
Prepare:
15 minutes
Cook:
30 minutes
Makes:
8 Servings