Smashed Broccoli Recipe
You will love this easy smashed broccoli recipe. Crispy, cheesy, and utterly delicious! Broccoli blanched until tender, smashed, seasoned, and then topped with parmesan cheese before roasting for a delicious side dish perfect for any meal.
This roasted vegetable side dish will surely win hearts at your table and be a crowd-pleaser. Make a double batch because these fly off the table quickly.
Every mouthful of this smashed broccoli is full of flavor and texture. The crispy edges, the soft interior, and the nutty parmesan cheese make this dish a crowd-pleaser.
This is the first time I have seen my children squabble over roasted vegetables. They love my stovetop broccoli and the microwave version, but this crispy smashed one takes the top.
Related recipes: roasted broccoli and cauliflower, smashed garlic butter potatoes, mini hasselback potatoes and oven-roasted frozen broccoli.
Why you will love this recipe
- It is easy to put together and quick to make, especially if you use an air fryer. Although my smashed broccoli was roasted in the oven, I absolutely love the speed of using the air fryer. I will leave the air fryer instructions below.
- Perfect as a side dish, starter, healthy snack, or appetizer.
- A fun way to get your kids or partner to join you in the kitchen to create a simple and delicious side dish they will love
- It is a great way to add some vegetables to your diet.
- It can be made vegan, swapping regular parmesan cheese for a vegan version.
What you will need
One head of broccoli
Olive oil
Unsalted butter
Garlic paste
Onion powder
Lemon pepper seasoning
Salt and black pepper
Parmesan cheese grated off the block
How to make smashed broccoli with parmesan cheese
Preheat the oven to 400F /200C.
Blanch the broccoli: Start by bringing a pot of lightly salted water to boil. Cut the broccoli into bite-sized florets and add them to the boiling water for about 4-5 minutes. Drain and rinse under cold water to stop the cooking process. Drain and pat dry completely.
In the meantime, make the seasoning mix: To a small bowl, add olive oil, melted butter, lemon pepper seasoning, garlic paste, onion powder, salt, and black pepper, and mix until well combined.
Transfer the blanched broccoli to a baking tray and arrange in a single layer.
Using the bottom of a thick-rimmed glass cup, smash the broccoli until flattened (you may need to apply a bit of pressure).
Brush the seasoning mix generously over the smashed broccoli (you can season the other side of the florets if you want). Place the baking tray in the middle rack of your oven and roast the broccoli for 15-20 minutes, or until the parmesan cheese is crispy and the edges of the broccoli are slightly crispy or charred. Serve warm as it is or with a dipping sauce, and enjoy!
Smashed broccoli air fryer instructions
Blanch the broccoli as above. Drain and pat dry completely
Make the seasoning mix.
Preheat the air fryer to 390F/ 195C for 3-5 minutes. Remove the air fryer basket and line the bottom with a parchment paper.
Smash the broccoli florets and transfer them to the air fryer basket in a single layer. Make sure they do not overlap.
Brush the seasoning on the broccoli florets, followed by grated parmesan cheese.
Air fry for 10 – 12 minutes or until the parmesan cheese is crispy and the broccoli charred around the edges. Serve and enjoy.
Watch how to make it
Dipping sauce ideas you may love
Dijonnaise (via www.cravingsmallbites.com)
tzatziki (via www.cravingsmallbites.com)
What to serve it with
Oven-baked chicken tenders (no breading)
Tips and Variations
- Use any seasoning of your choice instead of the one recommended in the recipe.
- Swap broccoli for cauliflower using the same instructions above
- For a dairy-free option, skip the parmesan cheese and use nutritional yeast instead. It will still give the dish a cheesy flavor.
How to store
I would be surprised if you have any leftovers, but if you do, let them cool down and then store them in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
To reheat, simply place them in the microwave, oven or air fryer until warmed through. They may not be as crispy as you first made them.
Smashed Broccoli Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 head broccoli
- 1 Tablespoon olive oil
- 2 Tablespoons Unsalted butter
- 1 teaspoon garlic paste or as needed
- ½ teaspoon onion powder optional
- 1 ½ teaspoon lemon pepper seasoning
- ½ cup parmesan cheese grated off the block for the best flavor
- Salt and black pepper to taste
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 400F /200C.
- Blanch the broccoli: Start by bringing a pot of lightly salted water to boil. Cut the broccoli into bite-sized florets and add them to the boiling water for about 4-5 minutes. Drain and rinse under cold water to stop the cooking process. Drain and pat dry completely.
- In the meantime, make the seasoning mix: To a small bowl, add olive oil, melted butter, lemon pepper seasoning, garlic paste, onion powder, salt, and black pepper, and mix until well combined.
- Transfer the blanched broccoli to a baking tray and arrange in a single layer.
- Using the bottom of a thick-rimmed glass cup, smash the broccoli until flattened (you may need to apply a bit of pressure).
- Brush the seasoning mix generously over the smashed broccoli (you can season the other side of the florets if you want). Place the baking tray in the middle rack of your oven and roast the broccoli for 15-20 minutes, or until the parmesan cheese is crispy and the edges of the broccoli are slightly crispy or charred. Serve warm as it is or with a dipping sauce, and enjoy!
Air fryer instructions
- Blanch the broccoli as above. Drain and pat dry completely
- Make the seasoning mix
- Preheat the air fryer to 390F/ 195C for 3-5 minutes. Remove the air fryer basket and line the bottom with a parchment paper.
- Smash the broccoli florets and transfer them to the air fryer basket in a single layer. Make sure they do not overlap.
- Brush the seasoning on the broccoli florets, followed by grated parmesan cheese.
- Air fry for 10 – 12 minutes or until the parmesan cheese is crispy and the broccoli charred around the edges. Serve and enjoy.
Nutrition
Nutritional data: Please note that the nutrition label provided is an estimate based on an online nutrition calculator. It will vary based on the specific ingredients and brands you use. Under no circumstances will thedinnerbite.com be responsible for any loss or damage resulting for your reliance on nutritional information.
And there you have it, a simple and delicious broccoli recipe you can make at home in 30 minutes. As always, if you made this recipe, I would love to hear from you! Kindly rate the recipe 5 star and leave me feedback in the comment section below. Tag me @thedinnerbite on Instagram and save it away to your Pinterest. Please subscribe to the blog if you haven’t for free new recipes in your inbox.
I enjoyed this but it did take longer to crisp up in the oven. I will be making it again over the holidays. Thank you for the recipe