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Home » Recipes » Appetizer » Broccoli Bites Recipe

Last updated on February 12, 2025. Originally posted on May 30, 2017 By Maryea / 29 Comments

Broccoli Bites Recipe

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These Broccoli Bites transform regular broccoli–even the broccoli haters like them!
Broccoli Cheese Bites Recipe on a plate with ketchup

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This recipe was first published in 2010! Pictures have been updated and I am republishing so more people can see and try this recipe. Enjoy!
If your toddler or even older child is reluctant to eat her veggies, I encourage you to try these delicious broccoli bites.  Even though Meghan will eat plain broccoli, she eats much more when it is in this form.
Broccoli Bites on a sheet pan
I first started making these for her when she was around 10 months old; I would just cut them into small pieces.
The best thing about these yummy broccoli bites is that they are so versatile.  Your whole family will enjoy them and they are great both as a side dish for a meal or snacks. Broccoli Cheese Bites dipped in ketchupIf you have a ketchup lover, these broccoli bites are GREAT dipped in ketchup! They make a perfect, healthy side dish that everyone can be happy about.
I think they’d be fantastic with this Sweet Potato Black Bean Burger or these Stuffed Turkey Burgers instead of fries.
Healthy burger and broccoli bites? Yes, please!
Here’s what one reader had to say about these Broccoli Bites:

“DELICIOUS! Thank you so much Maryea! They ATE broccoli! They ate BROCCOLI! I called them Broccoli Cookies, because what kid doesn’t like cookies? They are still too young to understand that broccoli and cookie isn’t exactly a combination that makes one think ‘mmmm yummy’. I even used a cookie scoop to help portion out the “cookies”, and then flattened them with the back of the scooper.

They devoured three each, which for them is a lot. My “I don’t eat broccoli” husband even remarked that they were really delicious (in a surprised tone). Thank you again for getting my kidabunks and hubby to eat broccoli. Maryea, thank you so very much for helping me feed my family healthy and delicious meals.” 

I hope you’re convinced to give these Broccoli Bites a try!

If you make this recipe, please leave a star rating below! It’s so helpful for other readers to see which recipes are tried and true! I’d also love to see it–share your photo of this dish and tag me on Instagram and I’ll feature you!
Another very kid-friendly broccoli dish is this Chicken Broccoli Rice Casserole, or this Broccoli Cheddar Orzo Bake or this creamy Broccoli and Cauliflower Soup. And my personal favorite way to eat broccoli is my Healthy Broccoli Salad recipe.
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Broccoli Cheese Bites dipped in ketchup

Broccoli Bites Recipe


5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.7 from 3 reviews

  • Author: Maryea
  • Total Time: 40 minutes
  • Yield: ~25 nuggets
Print Recipe
Print Recipe

Ingredients

Units Scale
  • 1–10 ounce package frozen broccoli or 2 small crowns, florets chopped
  • 1/2 cup whole grain bread crumbs*
  • 2 large eggs (if your little one is not eating egg whites yet, use 3 yolks)
  • 1 cup shredded mild cheddar cheese
  • 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1 teaspoon dried basil

Optional healthy add-ins

  • 1 teaspoon kelp
  • 1 tablespoon ground flax seed meal

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees.  Coat a baking sheet with oil or spray with non-stick cooking spray and set aside.
  2. If using frozen broccoli, cook broccoli according to package directions and chop into small pieces. If using fresh broccoli, chop and steam until tender.
  3. In a medium bowl, whisk eggs.
  4. Add remaining ingredients to bowl and mix until well incorporated.  (You may have to use your hands)
  5. Shape the mixture into 1 1/2 inch nuggets and place on the baking sheet.
  6. Bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes, flipping the nuggets over half way through the cooking time.
  7.  Serve warm. Enjoy!

Notes

*Regular bread crumbs may be used if you can’t find whole grain. You can also use seasoned bread crumbs and omit the seasoning in the recipe.

 

This recipe was originally adapted from here. 

 

  • Prep Time: 20 minutes
  • Cook Time: 20 minutes

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 nugget
  • Calories: 35
  • Sugar: 0.3
  • Fat: 2
  • Carbohydrates: 2
  • Fiber: 0.3
  • Protein: 2

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Would you like to save this recipe for later? Here’s an image to pin to your Pinterest recipe board!
Broccoli cheese bites nuggets recipe | toddler | vegetable | side dish | healthy
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Filed Under: Appetizer

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Terri says

    May 24, 2024 at 11:47 am

    My star rating is how I perceive this recipe; I haven’t actually made it. It might be too much grain and too much dairy for me.
    My question is, there’s an asterisk by the bread crumbs, but no explanation I can see?

    Reply
    • Maryea says

      May 30, 2024 at 1:59 pm

      Thanks for letting me know the note in the recipe was somehow deleted. Here is what it should have read (I updated it now):
      *Regular bread crumbs may be used if you can’t find whole grain. You can also use seasoned bread crumbs and omit the seasoning in the recipe.

      The rating system is for those who have made the recipe, not how it is perceived. As such, I am going to remove your rating. Please come back and rate it if you decide to make this! Thanks!

      Reply
  2. Heathet says

    December 26, 2019 at 5:47 pm

    I made them for Christmas dinner.
    Figured it would be a neat, healthier and bite size “broccoli puff.
    My husband and I loved them, the older kids not so much.
    I plan on making these again, very easy and fun!

    Reply
  3. Jj says

    December 24, 2018 at 9:49 am

    Can these be frozen?

    Reply
    • Maryea says

      December 24, 2018 at 5:09 pm

      Yes!

      Reply
  4. Alexa says

    June 1, 2018 at 6:51 pm

    Delicious and a big hit with my 19 month old!! Just a little dry – not sure if it’s my fault or if they are supposed to be this way. Either way they are delicious and a great side for any meal!!

    Reply
  5. Monica says

    April 15, 2018 at 7:46 am

    What could be used as a egg substitute in the broccoli bites recipe?

    Reply
    • Maryea says

      April 15, 2018 at 9:38 pm

      You can try a flax egg. 1 Tbs ground flaxseed meal + 3 Tbs water. Allow to sit until a gel forms. Good luck!

      Reply
  6. Laura says

    September 27, 2017 at 9:22 am

    Just made these for my little last night! She too was getting bored of just steamed veggies and we needed a change. Awesome recipe and easy to make. I added ground flax seed since i always have it on hand. I can easily see this translating to other steamed veggies too! Thanks for super recipe!!

    Reply
    • Maryea says

      September 27, 2017 at 9:58 am

      You’re welcome! 🙂

      Reply
  7. Sherri says

    June 15, 2017 at 3:44 am

    Hi!
    So for someone who is kinda new to cooking and only knows metric measurements, could i ask what a cup is? My mind is literally going through the cupboard, thinking which cup is “the” cup.

    Thank you in advance ?

    Reply
    • Maryea says

      June 15, 2017 at 3:34 pm

      Haha! That made me chuckle thinking about you looking at all your cups. 🙂

      Check out this conversion chart to help: http://www.jsward.com/cooking/conversion.shtml

      Reply
      • Sherri says

        June 22, 2017 at 3:10 pm

        That website was a lifesaver! I managed to put all cups back in the cupboard. I’m happy to have given you a laugh. Can I say the bites were very tasty? Thank you!

        By the way, from freezer amd fridge, hoe would you warm them up? I wamt to freeze them for my little one and take out a few at a time. What’s the tastiest and easiest way?

        Thanks!

      • Maryea says

        June 23, 2017 at 6:36 am

        I use the microwave and it works great!

  8. reena says

    June 5, 2017 at 12:20 am

    those broccoli bites looks delicious i will try making them thanks for sharing its recipe

    Reply
    • Maryea says

      June 5, 2017 at 7:16 am

      You’re welcome! Let me know how it goes. 🙂

      Reply
  9. Jessica says

    August 23, 2014 at 12:04 pm

    I was thinking of added some cooked rice…sort of like a broccoli and rice casserole dish. Also, I wanted to freeze them? Has anyone else tried freezing/re-heating?

    Reply
    • Maryea says

      August 23, 2014 at 1:20 pm

      I have frozen these with success. Love the idea of adding rice! You’ll probably need to adjust the ingredients (perhaps another egg?) so they still stick together. Let me know how it works out!

      Reply
  10. Tyffany says

    January 24, 2013 at 5:20 pm

    These are soooo delicious!!! My 18 month old used to eat broccoli, but has now decided she doesn’t like it. So, I decided to try your recipe…and she ate them! I made some slight adjustments by added some shredded rotisserie chicken. My family loved them. Can’t wait to try some more of your recipes.

    Reply
    • Maryea says

      January 25, 2013 at 10:02 am

      Wow-I love the idea of making these with some shredded chicken. A complete meal in a little bite! I’m glad you tried and liked these and thanks for letting me know. 🙂

      Reply
  11. Theresa @ Two Much Fun says

    August 6, 2012 at 7:12 pm

    DELICIOUS! Thank you so much Maryea! They ATE broccoli! They ateBROCCOLI! I called them Broccoli Cookies, because what kid doesn’t like cookies? They are still too young to understand that broccoli and cookie isn’t exactly a combination that makes one think ‘mmmm yummy’. I even used a cookie scoop to help portion out the “cookies”, and then flattened them with the back of the scooper.

    They devoured three each, which for them is a lot. My “I don’t eat broccoli” husband even remarked that they were really delicious (in a surprised tone). Thank you again for getting my kidabunks and hubby to eat broccoli. Maryea, thank you so very much for helping me feed my family healthy and delicious meals.

    Reply
    • Maryea says

      August 8, 2012 at 7:39 am

      Yay!! You are so welcome. Thank you so much for your feedback; it is so helpful and makes doing this worthwhile. 🙂

      Reply
  12. Sara says

    November 14, 2011 at 8:14 pm

    My daughter is following me around, hounding me for more of these! Great recipe! Thanks!

    Reply
    • Maryea says

      November 14, 2011 at 8:26 pm

      I love it! You’re welcome. 🙂

      Reply
  13. Stephanie says

    September 10, 2011 at 12:11 pm

    I just tried this for my 15 month old last night and love the recipe too! It’s so easy and easy for her to eat too. I definitely got into a rut of serving her the same healthy foods and she was getting tired of them. So, now I have been really trying to reinvent foods for her so she stays interested in eating healthy foods. Your website has helped me so much with this! Thank you for sharing your personal stories and cooking ideas. It really helps to see you with a daughter a little older and what has worked or hasn’t worked for you. Oh, and the smoothies have been a hit! They truly help ease my mind that she is getting some of her essential nutrients. Your blog has been a blessing to me!

    Reply
    • Maryea says

      September 12, 2011 at 2:18 pm

      Good to hear! I haven’t made these in a while, so thanks for the reminder. 🙂

      Reply
  14. Mari says

    February 2, 2011 at 2:26 pm

    This recipe is WONDERFUL! I have to say I have tried 6 of your recipes (pumpkin penne, movie night popcorn, maple cinnamon granola, pumpkin pie smoothie, italian-style lentil soup and broccoli bites), and all have been wild successes! I’m so happy to have found a great blog, with great, whole-food recipes. Thank you!

    Reply
    • Maryea says

      February 2, 2011 at 2:56 pm

      Maril- Thank you so much for your kind words and feedback. I’m so glad to hear you’ve enjoyed the recipes you’ve tried. 🙂

      Reply
  15. Jennifer says

    July 13, 2010 at 3:57 pm

    LOVE the blog Maryea! I'm trying to incorporate more healthy eating for the kids (and the family on a whole) and am getting lots of great idea! I have a huge bunch of fresh brocoli at home and may try this tonight!

    Reply

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