Broccoli doesn’t always get the love it deserves, especially from kids. But these Cheesy Broccoli Sticks change the game — making broccoli crunchy, cheesy, and downright delicious. This simple recipe is perfect for sneaking more greens into your meals without any fuss.
Broccoli is packed with nutrients — fibre, vitamin C, vitamin K, iron, and potassium — and even the stalks are full of goodness, so don’t throw them away! Using the whole head helps reduce food waste and boosts the nutritional value of your dish. These sticks are a great idea to encourage children to eat broccoli. The cheesy, crispy coating makes it fun and familiar, turning a vegetable some kids might avoid into a favourite snack or side. Pair with your choice of dips like sweet chilli sauce or a fresh yoghurt dip, and watch them ask for more.
They’re quick to make, great for lunchboxes, and perfect as a healthy snack or side dish. Give these Cheesy Broccoli Sticks a try and discover how easy “eat your greens” can be.
Tips
- Chop the broccoli finely: this helps with even mixing and shaping. A food processor works well, but a knife is fine too.
- Use your hands to combine the mixture fully — it helps bring everything together.
- Flip halfway through baking for an even, golden finish.
- Use up leftovers: this is a great recipe to rescue that boiled broccoli at the back of the fridge.
Pair With
You can dip these Broccoli Sticks with your favourite sauce but here are some ideas:
Sweet chilli sauce – a perfect sweet and spicy contrast
Ketchup – classic and kid-friendly
Spicy mayo – mix mayo with hot sauce or sriracha for a creamy kick
Honey mustard – tangy and slightly sweet, made with mustard, honey, and yoghurt or mayo
Garlic yoghurt sauce – light and fresh, made with yoghurt, garlic powder, lemon juice, and salt
Yoghurt dip – a simple mix of plain yoghurt, lemon juice, garlic, and herbs for a fresh, creamy contrast
Tomato sauce – warm passata with a pinch of oregano or chilli flakes for a classic pairing
Avocado mash – mashed avocado with a squeeze of lemon and a pinch of salt
A simple dollop of plain or herbed yoghurt – to cool down the spices and add creaminess
A squeeze of lemon juice – for a fresh zing to brighten the flavour
Swaps
Cheddar: try mozzarella for a different flavour.
Parmesan: replace with extra cheddar, if you don’t have Parmesan cheese on hands.
Bread: sub with oats or gluten-free breadcrumbs
Italian herbs: swap with dried oregano or thyme
Storage
Fridge: Store in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
Freezer: Freeze after baking, then reheat in the oven or air fryer.
More nibble ideas
Cheesy Broccoli Sticks
Ingredients
- 1 head broccoli boiled for 10 mins
- 30-40 g bread
- 80 g cheddar
- 20 g Parmesan
- 1 tsp garlic
- 1 tsp Paprika
- 1 tsp italian herbs
Instructions
- Chop the broccoli very finely and add to a bowl.
- Add the rest of the ingredients.
- Give it a good mix, with a spoon to start with and then with your hands.
- Shape the mixture into sticks and bake for 20 mins at 180C, flipping the sticks over half way through.