Getting kids to eat broccoli is nothing less than an uphill battle. And it's not uncommon to see it mysteriously disappearing from their plates, probably hidden under the napkin! However, broccoli is packed with lots of vitamins, fiber, and antioxidants. And is indeed one of the healthiest veggies for growing kids.
So, how do you make broccoli tasty and truly irresistible? The secret is delicious, kid-favorite recipes that turn broccoli into something they actually want to eat.Â
Read this article below to explore five broccoli recipes that will have your little ones asking for more!
Cheesy Broccoli Bites
It's an undeniable fact that kids love anything crispy and cheesy. These cheesy broccoli bites are packed with hidden goodness, and guess, your kids won’t even know.
Ingredients
- 1 cup finely chopped broccoli
- ½ cup shredded cheddar cheese
- ½ cup breadcrumbs
- 1 egg
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
Procedure
Steam the chopped broccoli for a few minutes until it turns slightly tender. Take a bowl, and mix broccoli, cheese, breadcrumbs, egg, and seasonings. Now, shape the mixture into small patties and place them on a baking sheet. Bake at 190°C for about 15 minutes, or until golden brown. Serve with fresh yogurt dip!
Creamy Broccoli Mac and Cheese
Mac and cheese is a classic kid favorite, and adding broccoli makes it even better! This creamy, cheesy dish is a great way to sneak in extra nutrients.
Ingredients
- 2 cups elbow macaroni
- 1 cup chopped broccoli
- 1 ½ cups shredded mozzarella cheeseÂ
- 1 cup milk
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 1 tablespoon flour
- Salt and pepper to taste
Procedure
Boil the macaroni until it is 90 percent cooked, and then add broccoli in the last two minutes of cooking. In another pan, melt butter and add flour. Now, slowly add milk to make a creamy sauce. Stir in the cheese and continue mixing until smooth. Add the cooked pasta and broccoli. Season it with oregano and chili flakes, and top it off with fresh basil. Serve warm, and enjoy the cheesy delight!
Broccoli Pancakes
Pancakes for breakfast— no kid can ever resist! It's time to give it a healthy twist with these broccoli pancakes that are fluffy and yes, full of nutrients.
Ingredients
- 1 cup finely chopped broccoli
- ½ cup whole wheat flour
- 1 egg
- ½ cup milk
- ½ teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
Procedure
In a bowl, mix together flour, baking powder, salt, egg, and milk until smooth. Now add the chopped broccoli. In a pan, heat a little olive oil, and pour small spoonfuls of batter onto it. Cook each pancake for 2-3 minutes on each side until golden brown. Serve with yogurt or salsa for a side dip!
Broccoli and Cheese Quesadillas
Quesadillas are instant and easy, and yes, loved by kids too. Adding broccoli and cheese will make them even more delicious!
Ingredients
- 1 cup chopped broccoli
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheeseÂ
- 2 whole wheat tortillas
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon butter
Procedure
Steam the broccoli until it turns soft. Now spread butter on one side of each tortilla. Place a tortilla on a heated pan with the butter side down. Add grated cheese and broccoli over it, and top it up with the second tortilla. Cook for 2-3 minutes on each side until the quesadillas turn golden and crispy. Cut into triangles and serve with sour cream!
Broccoli and Potato Nuggets
These crispy, golden broccoli nuggets are another tempting recipe that can make broccoli appealing to kids.
Ingredients
- 1 cup mashed potatoes
- ½ cup finely chopped broccoli
- ½ cup breadcrumbs
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 egg for binding
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
Procedure
Steam and mash the broccoli. In a bowl, mix together mashed potatoes, broccoli, breadcrumbs, seasonings, and egg. Now, shape the mixture into small nuggets. Meanwhile, heat oil in a pan and cook the nuggets for 3-4 minutes on each side until crispy. Serve with tomato ketchup or hummus!
Conclusion
Who knew broccoli could be this delicious? With these easy broccoli recipes, you won’t have to struggle over veggies during meals anymore. The only key is to make broccoli tasty, cheesy, and crispy so kids will actually love eating it!