Broccoli and I have a turbulent past. Like most kids, it wasn’t my favorite choice for dinner growing up. But as I got older I wanted to figure out how to love it. And it turns out the best way to cook and eat broccoli is by making it super crispy! Whether it’s crispy air fryer frozen broccoli or oven-roasted broccoli with lemon, any form of crispy broccoli is delicious! So it was a no-brainer that I needed to figure out how to make crispy broccoli chips. As it turns out the best way to do this is by smashing the broccoli and baking it with just 2 other ingredients. This recipe pairs savory parmesan with lemon pepper seasoning (yup, the same one used in our reader-favorite lemon pepper tofu) to pack in as much flavor as possible. So keep on reading to find out how to make the ultimate crispy smashed broccoli with parmesan!
Why you’ll love it
3-ingredients that are specifically picked to pack in the most flavor with the least amount of ingredients. Smashing broccoli creates more surface area means more area to fit in the seasoning and to be crispy!
Ingredients for parmesan smashed broccoli
You might be skeptical of 3 ingredients making a super delicious recipe, but I promise these are the best crispy broccoli chips you’ll ever eat!
Broccoli: You can use either a whole broccoli head and dice it into bite-sized pieces or buy broccoli florets. Just make sure they are about chip-sized. Parmesan: I always prefer to grate my own parmesan for the most flavor. Parmesan blocks are aged much longer than pre-grated parmesan meaning more flavor. Lemon Pepper Seasoning: This is where all the flavor comes from! You can use this spice for any type of vegetable, tofu, potatoes, and more! You can use store-bought or make your own lemon pepper seasoning (it’s easy!)
How to make smashed broccoli in the oven
Making this smashed broccoli is pretty simple and follows the same steps as our smashed cauliflower, smashed carrots, and smashed red potatoes.
Storage
If you have leftovers, you can store them in the fridge for up to 4 days in an airtight container. To reheat them, pop them in the air fryer or oven to get them crispy again.
Why this Recipe Works
If you’re still unsure about this recipe, here are three reasons why it works so well and will for you too!
Simple is best when it comes to this smashed broccoli. Most crispy broccoli recipes will use some type of oil but you don’t need it and this recipe proves it! Like cheese chips with broccoli thanks to piles of parmesan that melt and get delicious crispy around the broccoli florets. Flavorful lemon pepper seasoning provides so much flavor with no effort.
Why don’t I need oil to make smashed broccoli?
The parmesan has enough fat in it that when it melts around the broccoli it gets crispy and encases the broccoli.
What’s the best sauce for broccoli chips?
Any sauce is delicious, but my favorites are Kefir Ranch Dressing and Healthy French Onion Dip. They’re also good with your favorite spicy sauce!
What To Serve Smashed Broccoli With
I love serving these as part of an appetizer spread. Here are my other favorite appetizers to serve the broccoli with!
Air Fryer Buffalo Cauliflower is a favorite appetizer among my friends so it’s an obvious choice to pair with smashed broccoli. Herby Cream Cheese Stuffed Mushrooms are easy to make and perfect to grab and snack on while you mingle. Upside Down Onion Tarts with Brie takes staple ingredients and elevates them into a fun and exciting appetizer.
