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Ultra Crispy Oven-Roasted Smashed Broccoli with Garlic Parmesan Crust

Close-up of perfectly crispy, oven-roasted smashed broccoli florets with browned, cheesy edges.
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Make this addictive smashed broccoli side dish. We use a simple technique to get maximum crispy surface area, coating it in garlic butter and Parmesan cheese for a flavorful, healthy vegetable preparation.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 large heads of broccoli, cut into medium florets
  • 3 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 425 degrees Fahrenheit. Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper.
  2. Bring a medium pot of salted water to a boil. Add the broccoli florets and blanch for exactly 2 minutes. Immediately drain the broccoli and spread it onto a clean kitchen towel or paper towels to dry completely.
  3. Place the dried broccoli florets on the prepared baking sheet. Use the bottom of a sturdy glass or a meat mallet to gently smash each floret until it flattens out significantly, exposing more surface area. Do not crush them into mush.
  4. Drizzle the smashed broccoli with olive oil. Sprinkle evenly with kosher salt, black pepper, and garlic powder. Toss gently to coat.
  5. Roast for 15 minutes.
  6. While the broccoli roasts, prepare the garlic butter: Melt the butter in a small skillet over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant. Remove from heat.
  7. Remove the baking sheet from the oven. Drizzle the garlic butter mixture over the broccoli. Sprinkle the grated Parmesan cheese evenly over the top.
  8. Return the baking sheet to the oven and roast for another 5 to 8 minutes, or until the edges are deeply browned and the Parmesan is crispy.
  9. Serve this quick vegetable side immediately.

Notes

  • Drying the broccoli after blanching is key to achieving a crispy texture in the oven.
  • For an extra savory vegetable baking result, use freshly grated Parmesan cheese instead of pre-shredded.
  • This recipe works well as a healthy dinner side or a substitute for broccoli chips.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://fooddexterity.com/smashed-broccoli-recipe-garlic-parmesan/