Crispy Smashed Broccoli Recipe with Parmesan
Crispy, cheesy smashed broccoli florets seasoned with garlic, paprika, and cumin. An easy gluten-free side dish the whole family will ask for again.
Servings: 4
Calories: 155kcal
Ingredients
- 3 cups broccoli florets from 2 small crowns — fresh or frozen
- 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon oregano
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- ½ teaspoon cumin
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ⅓ cup shredded parmesan cheese or grated mozzarella
Instructions
- Boil the Broccoli: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add your broccoli florets and cook for 10 to 15 minutes, until they're just soft enough to press flat without crumbling apart. Drain well, then let them sit in the colander for 2 to 3 minutes to steam dry. The drier they are, the crispier they'll get — this step matters.3 cups broccoli florets
- Season and Smash the Broccoli: Mix together the garlic powder, oregano, paprika, black pepper, cumin, and salt in a small bowl.1 teaspoon garlic powder, 1 teaspoon oregano, 1 teaspoon paprika, ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper, ½ teaspoon cumin, ¼ teaspoon salt
- Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Drizzle a little olive oil onto the spots where each broccoli floret will go, then sprinkle over a pinch of the seasoning mix and a little parmesan. Place a broccoli floret on top and press it down firmly using the bottom of a glass or jar until flattened.3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil, ⅓ cup shredded parmesan cheese or grated mozzarella
- Repeat with the remaining florets, leaving a little space between each one. Finish with another pinch of seasoning and more parmesan over the top. This layered method helps create those crispy, golden edges underneath while the broccoli cooks.
- Oven: Preheat to 365°F (185°C). Bake for 20 to 30 minutes, until the edges are crispy and the cheese is golden brown.
- Air Fryer: Set to 365°F (185°C) and cook for 15 to 18 minutes, checking halfway through. Depending on the size of your basket, you may need to cook in batches.
- Keep an eye on them during the last few minutes — they can go from perfectly crispy to overdone pretty quickly.
- Serve: Lift the smashed broccoli off the tray with a spatula and serve straight away while the cheese is still hot and crispy.
Notes
- Dry the broccoli well after boiling — this is the key to crispiness.
- Cooking times vary by oven and air fryer model. Keep an eye on the last 5 minutes.
- Parmesan can be swapped for mozzarella, pecorino, or sharp cheddar.
- Oven temp: 365°F (185°C).
Nutrition
Calories: 155kcal | Carbohydrates: 6g | Protein: 5g | Fat: 13g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 8g | Cholesterol: 6mg | Sodium: 303mg | Potassium: 258mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 750IU | Vitamin C: 61mg | Calcium: 144mg | Iron: 1mg
