Crispy Parmesan Broccoli Chips aka Smashed Broccoli
I had seen this viral recipe on TikTok and knew my family aka Hungry Friends would love it! They came out super crispy and they were a breeze to make.
For this recipe, make sure you don’t slice your broccoli into small florets. Keep them medium to large in size – sometimes slicing two small buds together. You’re going to get your pot water boiling, add in the broccoli pieces, salt it and let it get back up to a boil. Don’t walk away and forget – you do not want mushy pieces of vegetable. You want them JUST fork tender.
I used shredded parmesan cheese for that sharp flavor and harder consistency to create a chip like texture. My inkling is that any cheese will work but I haven’t tried mozzarella or cheddar for example, so I can’t say for sure.
If you like this recipe, you will LOVE these:
- Crispy Parmesan Broccoli Sticks
- Crispy Parmesan Carrot Sticks
- Crispy Parmesan Cauliflower Steaks
- Crispy Broccoli Steaks
- 5 Minute Skillet Broccoli + Feta
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Crispy Parmesan Broccoli Chips
Ingredients
- 3 crowns broccoli, cut into large florets
- 10 oz shredded parmesan cheese
- salt, garlic powder + onion powder to taste
Spicy Ranch Dip:
- 1/2 cup mayo
- 1/4 cup buttermilk
- 1 tbs Sriracha sauce
- 1 tbs rice vinegar
- 2 tbs chopped chives
- 1/2 tsp each onion powder, garlic powder
- pinch of cayenne pepper (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 420℉. Line a large rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Bring a large pot of water (1/2 way full) to a boil. Add in the large florets and 1 tsp salt and bring back to a boil. Blanch the broccoli for just a minute or two, then strain and transfer to a platter lined with paper towels. Do not over boil the broccoli.
- Sprinkle the baking sheet evenly with your cheese so that there is a thin layer. Next transfer the broccoli to the sheet, slightly spacing them out so that you have room to mash them. Take a small shot glass and smash the broccoli pieces down gently but firmly. Sprinkle the tops with salt, onion powder and a little garlic powder. Transfer to the oven and bake for 25-30 minutes or until the cheese has turned golden brown and the broccoli is turning crispy. Allow to cool slightly and then break apart to serve.
Dip:
- Whisk together dip ingredients and taste. Adjust if needed.
Notes
Nutrition
Looking for more?
After reading all of the comments about it sticking to the parchment paper, I still wanted to try the recipe so I used a silicone baking mat instead of parchment paper and it came out perfectly.
I also put the broccoli in a steamer tray in top of boiling water instead of boiling the broccoli in the water. This seemed to keep the broccoli from being so wet after blanching. If you try this method you’ll need to steam it for about 2-4 minutes to get it fork tender if you have big pieces.
Loved how it turned out. Will definitely make this again and will try other recipes from this site.
Glad you liked the recipe! And thanks for the helpful feedback and happy cooking! <3
Stella 💋🫶🏼 this has become one of our most favorite treats. My dog eats broccoli and we get real happy eating these together the crunchy sounds she makes makes me do that too. So good! Thank you!!
Hello love the recipe and will be making it today! Just a quick question, are tue nutrition facts per serving or for the whole recipe (excluding the dip). Thank you!
Hi Arlyn, its per serving! The serving amounts per recipe are given at the top of the recipe box… the font is small
I just tried this recipe with frozen broccoli and it turned out soooooooooooooo delicious. I did a smaller portion and baked it in my air fryer. Lined the little pan with parchment paper and it did not stick. I removed the broccoli from the microwave, layed it on a napkin and then took the shot glass to mash it down. Did the rest of the recipe and you will absolutely love this for yourself and your family!!!!! I had mine with ranch dressing on the side…
Will make again!!!
Hi Mabel, That’s so awesome! I’m glad you liked the recipe and thank you for taking the time to share your feedback with air frying them – very helpful!
is the nutrition facts based off 1 cup serving size ??
Hi I love these and find them a bit to addictive. May I ask what the serving size is for your nutrition facts?
These were very yummy! I put the broccoli exactly as directed on parchment paper and watched it closely until browned. Removed the paper from the pan and let it rest for a few minutes on a raised cookie sheet and it peeled off fine and tasted great! Next time I will not over-cook it as much as that makes a difference if the broccoli gets crispy.
The recipe came out smelling amazing. However the broccoli and cheese stuck to the parchment paper sooo don’t use parchment paper……
Could you share the recipe for the spicy ranch dip?
How much of the spices and where I the dip recipe thank you
What kind of Parm cheese were these people using that stuck yo the parchment paper ❓
I made this last night. I used half of the Costco 2 pound bag of broccoli florets, Costco parchment paper. Costco Parmesan cheese. I used the lid of my pot after blanching the broccoli to smash the broccoli which made flattening fast and easy.
It
Was
Terrific!
My partner who hates all things green ate half the sheet pan.
Will do the last half of the broccoli bag with half Parmesan, half emmenthaler since Parmesan is on the salty side when baked like that.
Love hus! Thanks!!!!
HI Karen, glad your partner enjoyed!! That’s always a win when we get them to eat the vegetables! lol
Flavor was good – got stuck to the parchment, but I just ate the parchment anyways. I will try to make again and remove from parchment while hot still.
Hi Ty, oh no.. sorry that happened!
Loved it!!! Used both broccoli and cauliflower, Parmesan and cheddar, delicious!!! I now know every veggie bake needs the cheese layer underneath-thank you so much – great recipes!!!
Hi Katie, that’s right, its a must make! Thank you for the kind rating!
Loved it! Thank you
Hi Juan, thanks so much for trying it out!
For those who say the paper sticks- or those who want to try the recipe- you can try either a silicone (100% silicone!!) baking mat OR A parchment with higher silicone like Reynold’s non stick. I typically use the more natural parchment but the silicone amount in the paper is not high enough to prevent stick from the cheese so will have to get the other for this… Hope this helps!!
Hi Heidi, great tips! Thanks for taking the time to share them with us!