19 Tasty Broccoli Appetizers

Broccoli Appetizers are a delicious way to include healthy vegetables in your meal! Broccoli is chock full of nutrients like iron, vitamin C, and potassium, and is also high in protein.

On top of this, broccoli also helps improve your vision, lowers cholesterol, and is a known cancer preventative.

This humble vegetable might not be your typical appetizer go-to, but it’s actually very versatile. Not only does broccoli hold nicely together when cooked, but its shape makes it perfect for your favorite dipping sauce!

Broccoli is a classic pairing for ingredients like cheddar cheese and goes well with creamy sauces. It can be enjoyed raw or cooked, so the appetizer variations are limitless!

You can use fresh broccoli. But don’t hesitate to choose frozen broccoli if you can’t find fresh.

I love broccoli appetizers since they’re great for the whole family, or for more upscale dinner parties. These tasty broccoli appetizers are so delicious, that the kids won’t even know there are vegetables involved.

01. Broccoli Cheese Balls

A delicious vegetarian alternative to meatballs.

Your guests will be in for a pleasant surprise when they bite into these savory baked broccoli balls. Each cheesy bite is filled with garlic seasoned broccoli, cheddar, and crispy panko.

A cool lemon yogurt sauce freshens up the dish and makes this meatball recipe perfect for dipping. Use your favorite dipping sauce in place of the yogurt if you prefer!

02. Prosciutto Wrapped Roasted Broccolini

An upscale broccoli appetizer that is suitable for holidays and special occasions.

Roasting broccolini allows the florets to crisp up and become saturated with flavor. Meanwhile, the prosciutto releases oils as it cooks and imparts a delicious smoky salty taste.

Serve as is, or finish off these prosciutto wrapped broccolinis with a squirt of lemon juice for freshness.

03. Broccoli and Ricotta Toasts

Move aside avocado toast, we have a new favorite brunch snack!

The zesty lemon and spicy pepper flavors of this roasted broccoli pair amazingly with a fresh ricotta spread. Use grainy bread to best complement those nutty roasted flavors.

This toast makes a great mid-afternoon snack. Or, fancy it up by serving on bite-sized baguette slices.

04. Broccoli Salad

Tired of wilted salads? This no-bake broccoli appetizer recipe is for you!

Broccoli makes an amazing salad ingredient since the florets soak up dressing like a sponge. But unlike salad greens, broccoli stays crisp and crunchy.

Toppings like cranberries, sunflower seeds, and goat cheese give this salad a medley of flavors and textures. They also provide nutrients that make this salad recipe a super healthy choice!

05. Broccoli Cheesy Bread

Sneak a few vegetables into dinner with this broccoli-infused cornbread recipe!

With gooey cheddar cheese and cayenne seasoned broccoli, this cornbread is sure to impress. Cottage cheese helps keep the cornbread batter moist as it bakes, and imparts more cheesy flavor.

Serve with your favorite chili recipe on game night. The subtle sweetness of this cornbread also goes great with barbecued meats.

06. Broccoli Tater Tots

A healthier alternative to this classic childhood snack.

Chopped broccoli, bread crumbs, and eggs are the main ingredients of these easy copycat broccoli tots. To reduce the amount of oil and trans fat, these little bites are baked, rather than fried.

The result is a flavorful treat that’s crispy on the outside, and soft and warm inside. These broccoli tots are the perfect size for little fingers, and great for dipping in ketchup.

07. Broccoli Cheese Squares

These hearty squares make a delicious appetizer or a healthy breakfast!

These unique squares are made with pulsed broccoli florets mixed with savory cheddar. The ingredients are held together by egg and flour, so these squares end up tasting a little like quiche!

Feel free to use any other melty cheese you like, such as Monterey Jack or Gruyere. These broccoli squares can be eaten by hand, and make a great healthy alternative to dinner rolls.

08. Broccoli Rabe Crostini

A satisfying garlicky hor d’oeuvre that goes excellent with holiday wines!

Broccoli rabe is naturally bitter when raw, but transforms when sautéed with olive oil and garlic. Rabe is popular in Italian cuisine, so it goes perfectly with a creamy ricotta spread.

For the crostini, it’s as simple as baking a sliced baguette with olive oil. The bread becomes crispy enough to hold the broccoli rabe, but still delightfully chewy inside!

09. Baked Breaded Broccoli

Try this crispy breaded appetizer in place of your typical deep fried fare.

Parmesan cheese and breadcrumbs transform roasted broccoli into a mouthwatering crispy treat. These little bites are chock full of flavor, but only use 1-2 tablespoons of oil!

Unlike regular deep fried foods that get soggy, this breaded broccoli reheats well. Simply line on a baking sheet, bake in the oven for 5-10 minutes and they crisp right back up!

10. Garlic Roasted Broccoli

The simple flavors of lemon and garlic broccoli will complement any meal.

Roasted broccoli is so much more than just oil and salt! This recipe uses chopped garlic for savory goodness, with a splash of lemon to enhance the flavors.

For a spicy kick, add a dash of red pepper flakes before baking the broccoli mixture.

11. Broccoli Cheddar Bites

A kid-friendly after-school snack, or a simple appetizer for family meals!

There’s nothing more satisfying than biting into a crispy appetizer and finding gooey cheese inside! These decadent broccoli cheese bites use three types of melty cheeses: American, cheddar, and Monterey Jack.

These bites are prepared in a single bowl, and cook quickly in a frying pan. It’s hard to believe something so delicious can be this simple to make!

12. Broccoli Slaw

An autumn-inspired salad made to serve alongside turkey and sweet potatoes!

Crunchy broccoli, carrots, and apples make this a fitting appetizer or side dish for Thanksgiving dinner. The earthy flavors tie together beautifully with a tangy honey mustard dressing.

Since the ingredients are crunchy and raw, this coleslaw won’t get soggy. So it’s a great option in place of salad at the holiday dinner table!

13. Broccoli Cheese Soup

The creamy comforting soup is a warm hug on a cold day!

Onion, garlic, and sharp cheddar invoke a bold savory flavor in this soup. Broccoli florets add a bit of texture and make this dish hearty and filling.

Replace chicken stock with vegetable stock and you also have a completely vegetarian appetizer! All you need is crostini or fresh crusty bread for dipping.

14. Mini-Crustless Broccoli Quiches

All the creaminess of a quiche, without the carbs!

Steamed broccoli, cheddar, and fluffy egg fill the inside of these mini quiches. Their mini size makes them perfect for to-go breakfasts, or kid’s lunches!

Make extra when you whip up these quiches and freeze some for later. The best part is they taste amazing both at room temperature, or reheated in the microwave.

15. Broccoli Fritters

This guilt-free broccoli appetizer is low carb, gluten-free, and vegan too!

Healthy ingredients like chickpea flour and flaxseed help hold these fritters together. They also give it a nutty flavor that regular flour just doesn’t have!

Serve these fried fritters as an appetizer with ranch dipping sauce. Or, put them into slider buns as a mini vegan burger with vegan cheese!

16. Bang Bang Broccoli

This spicy Asian-inspired dish is the perfect baked broccoli appetizer for your next party.

Broccoli is baked to crispy perfection in a spicy batter, then topped with an extra spicy mayonnaise dressing. The mayonnaise gives it just the right sweetness to balance the dish.

Typically this dish is made with shrimp, but using broccoli makes this dish vegetarian-friendly!

17. Buffalo Broccoli Wings

Who can do game night without a platter of spicy buffalo wings? This appetizer retains the spirit of the dish, but makes it healthier by using broccoli in place of chicken!

The deep-fried coating on the broccoli soaks up that tangy buffalo sauce so well. To offset the spiciness, serve these “wings” with a blue cheese or ranch dip.

You can also make this buffalo wing broccoli appetizer with cauliflower if you prefer!

18. Broccoli Pesto

Give your Italian dinners a twist by using broccoli in place of basil!

Zesty lemon, garlic, and parsley give this sauce that classic Italian flavor. Broccoli helps mellow out the flavor of the herbs while giving the sauce thickness.

Try this pesto as a spread for crostinis. Or, add to pasta salads for a lovely earthy flavor!

19. Chicken and Broccoli Stuffed Crescent Rolls

Fluffy and flavorful on the inside, crispy and golden brown on the outside.

Pre-made crescent rolls are a great hack when you don’t have time to make dough. This recipe combines juicy baked chicken with parmesan and broccoli to create a sophisticated, hearty filling.

A sprinkle of grated parmesan before you bake these rolls adds extra crispiness. These broccoli appetizers are bound to be a hit at holiday dinners.