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Crispy Cheese Baked Broccoli Recipe

4.9 from 121 reviews

Crispy Cheese Baked Broccoli is a flavorful and crunchy baked side dish featuring tender broccoli florets coated in a cheesy bread crumb mixture. Perfectly baked to a golden crisp, this easy recipe offers a delicious way to enjoy vegetables with a satisfying texture and rich cheese flavor.

Ingredients

Scale

Broccoli

  • 2 large heads of broccoli, chopped into bite-size pieces

Coating Mixture

  • 1 cup Italian bread crumbs
  • 1 cup grated sharp cheddar cheese
  • 1/4 cup fresh grated parmesan cheese (refrigerated)
  • 1 tsp garlic powder

Egg Wash

  • 3 eggs
  • 1 tbsp milk

Instructions

  1. Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit and line a baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent sticking and ease cleanup.
  2. Prepare Egg Wash: In a medium-sized bowl, whisk together the eggs and milk until smooth. This mixture will help the bread crumbs and cheese adhere to the broccoli.
  3. Mix Coating: In a separate bowl, combine the Italian bread crumbs, grated sharp cheddar cheese, fresh grated parmesan cheese, and garlic powder. Stir to evenly distribute the seasonings and cheeses.
  4. Coat Broccoli: Dip each piece of broccoli into the egg mixture until well coated. Then, thoroughly dip each piece into the bread crumb and cheese mixture, pressing gently to ensure the coating sticks well for maximum crispiness.
  5. Arrange on Baking Sheet: Place the coated broccoli florets evenly spaced on the prepared baking sheet, ensuring they have room to crisp up properly during baking.
  6. Bake: Bake in the preheated oven for 18-25 minutes, or about 20 minutes depending on broccoli size. Keep an eye on them to achieve a perfect golden brown, crispy texture without burning.
  7. Serve: Enjoy immediately while hot and crispy. These are delicious on their own, or served with ranch dressing for dipping.

Notes

  • Use fresh grated parmesan cheese (refrigerated) rather than shredded parmesan from the pasta aisle for better adhesion and flavor.
  • Cut the broccoli primarily into florets with just enough stem to make them easy to handle and dip.
  • To add a kick, sprinkle cayenne pepper into the bread crumb mixture before coating for a spicy twist.

Keywords: baked broccoli, crispy broccoli, cheese baked broccoli, cheesy broccoli, vegetable side dish, healthy snack, easy broccoli recipe