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Crunchy Baked Broccoli with Spicy Soy Sauce is a delicious and addicting dish that’s perfect as a quick appetizer or a flavorful side dish. The panko breadcrumbs create a crispy texture, while the batter adds an extra layer of flavor to the broccoli. Paired with a spicy soy dipping sauce, this dish is an irresistible way to enjoy your veggies!

Full Recipe:

Ingredients

For the Broccoli:

5–6 cups of medium-sized broccoli florets
½ cup all-purpose flour (gluten-free flour can be substituted)
½ cup unsweetened plant-based milk (or regular milk)
½ teaspoon granulated garlic
½ teaspoon onion powder
½ teaspoon paprika
½ teaspoon salt
½ teaspoon black pepper
1 ¼ cup panko breadcrumbs (divided)
Avocado oil spray (or oil of choice)

For the Spicy Soy Sauce:

⅓ cup low-sodium soy sauce
1 teaspoon pure maple syrup
1 teaspoon rice wine vinegar
1 teaspoon toasted sesame oil (or more to taste)
1–2 tablespoons chili crunch (mostly the crunchy part)
1 teaspoon toasted sesame seeds
Optional: Add water if sauce is too salty

Directions

Prepare the Broccoli: Preheat the oven to 425°F (220°C). Wash and dry the broccoli florets thoroughly. For crispier results, use smaller florets.
Make the Batter: In a large bowl, whisk together flour, milk, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, salt, and pepper until smooth.
Coat the Broccoli: Add the broccoli florets to the batter, mixing them until fully coated. Gradually add in half of the panko breadcrumbs and gently toss. Add the remaining panko and mix until the broccoli is evenly coated.
Bake: Lightly spray a baking sheet with avocado oil and spread the coated broccoli in a single layer. Spray the top of the broccoli with more oil. Bake for 25 minutes, flipping halfway through, until the broccoli is crispy and golden brown.
Prepare the Sauce: While the broccoli bakes, mix all the sauce ingredients in a bowl until well combined. Adjust seasoning as needed.
Serve: Once the broccoli is done, dip it into the spicy soy sauce and enjoy!

Nutrients

Per Serving (Approx.)

Calories: 112 kcal
Carbohydrates: 10g
Protein: 4g
Fat: 7g
Saturated Fat: 1g
Sodium: 758mg
Potassium: 385mg
Fiber: 3g
Sugar: 1g
Vitamin A: 30 IU
Vitamin C: 1.1mg
Calcium: 5mg
Iron: 1.5mg

Why Baked Broccoli?

Broccoli is one of the most nutritious vegetables, packed with vitamins, fiber, and antioxidants. However, it’s also a vegetable that can often be overlooked in favor of more flavorful options. Crunchy Baked Broccoli with Spicy Soy Sauce changes that by elevating the broccoli with a crispy coating and a bold, spicy dipping sauce. This dish transforms a simple vegetable into an irresistible treat that is both healthy and indulgent.

Baking the broccoli allows it to retain its nutritional value while providing a crispy exterior that contrasts beautifully with its naturally tender and slightly bitter interior. The oven’s dry heat helps to intensify the flavor of the broccoli without losing the essential nutrients. By pairing it with a spicy soy dipping sauce, the dish becomes an exciting blend of savory, sweet, and spicy elements that will appeal to anyone, even those who may not usually be fans of broccoli.

The Perfect Crispy Coating

One of the key elements that make this dish stand out is the crispy coating. Panko breadcrumbs are used to provide a light, airy crunch that enhances the texture of the broccoli. When coated in a simple batter made from flour, plant-based milk, and spices, the panko sticks perfectly to the florets, creating a golden, crispy outer layer. This coating adds a satisfying crunch to each bite, making the dish feel indulgent, even though it’s baked rather than fried.

The batter itself is seasoned with garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, salt, and black pepper, giving the broccoli a flavor boost that complements its natural earthiness. These spices add just enough seasoning to make the dish flavorful, while still letting the taste of the broccoli shine through. The light and crispy coating paired with the tender broccoli beneath is a perfect combination that makes each bite both satisfying and delightful.

Spicy Soy Sauce: A Flavorful Dipping Experience

The spicy soy dipping sauce is where the magic happens in this dish. It takes the simplicity of soy sauce and elevates it with the addition of maple syrup, rice wine vinegar, toasted sesame oil, and chili crunch. This combination creates a sauce that is rich in umami with a touch of sweetness and acidity, while the chili crunch adds a satisfying heat and texture. The toasted sesame oil imparts a nutty, aromatic flavor that ties the whole sauce together.

The sauce is customizable based on your preferences. If you like it spicier, you can add more chili crunch to intensify the heat. If you prefer a milder version, reduce the amount of chili crunch and adjust the seasoning with more maple syrup or vinegar for sweetness and tang. The option to add water is helpful in case the sauce becomes too salty, allowing you to control the consistency and flavor to suit your taste.

This dipping sauce not only complements the crispy broccoli but also gives it an extra layer of flavor that makes every bite exciting. The balance of salty, sweet, spicy, and umami is what makes this sauce truly addictive.

The Health Benefits of Broccoli

Broccoli is a nutrient-dense vegetable that offers numerous health benefits. It is high in fiber, which aids in digestion and helps keep you feeling full for longer. Broccoli is also an excellent source of vitamins C, K, and A, which are essential for a healthy immune system, skin, and bones. Additionally, broccoli contains powerful antioxidants, such as sulforaphane, which have been linked to anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer properties.

In this recipe, the health benefits of broccoli are preserved because the vegetable is baked rather than deep-fried, ensuring that the nutrients stay intact while still achieving a crispy texture. By combining the broccoli with a flavorful sauce and crispy coating, this dish becomes a fun and tasty way to incorporate more vegetables into your diet.

A Versatile Dish

Crunchy Baked Broccoli with Spicy Soy Sauce is an incredibly versatile dish. It can be enjoyed in many different ways, depending on your needs. As an appetizer, it’s a great way to introduce guests to the bold flavors of Asian-inspired cuisine. Its crispy texture and spicy sauce make it a fun and addictive snack, perfect for serving at parties or casual gatherings.

As a side dish, it pairs well with a variety of main courses. It can be served alongside stir-fries, grilled meats, or rice dishes, adding an extra burst of flavor and texture to any meal. You can also enjoy it as a light main course, especially if you’re looking for a plant-based or vegan option that’s still satisfying and packed with flavor.

Additionally, this dish can be easily customized to suit different dietary preferences. If you want to make it gluten-free, simply substitute the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend, and ensure that the panko breadcrumbs you use are gluten-free. The dish can also be made with regular dairy if you’re not following a vegan diet, and you can add extra toppings like toasted sesame seeds or chopped cilantro to enhance the presentation and flavor.

Quick and Easy Preparation

One of the best aspects of Crunchy Baked Broccoli with Spicy Soy Sauce is how quick and easy it is to prepare. The recipe requires minimal ingredients and can be completed in under an hour. The broccoli is quickly blanched, which helps it retain its vibrant color and nutrients, before being coated in the batter and breadcrumbs. A quick bake in the oven gives it the perfect crispiness, while the sauce is prepared in a matter of minutes.

This makes it an excellent dish for busy weeknights or when you want something simple yet flavorful without spending a lot of time in the kitchen. The quick preparation also makes it ideal for meal prep. You can bake the broccoli in advance and store it in the refrigerator, then simply reheat it and serve with the dipping sauce when you’re ready to enjoy it.

Nutritional Information

Crunchy Baked Broccoli with Spicy Soy Sauce is not only delicious but also relatively healthy. With just 112 calories per serving, it’s a light yet satisfying dish that won’t weigh you down. The broccoli provides a good amount of fiber (3 grams per serving), helping to promote healthy digestion and keep you feeling full. The fat content (7 grams) comes primarily from the oil used in the batter and the sesame oil in the dipping sauce, both of which are sources of healthy fats.

The dish is also a good source of protein (4 grams per serving), making it a great option for those looking to increase their plant-based protein intake. The sauce adds a bit of sodium (758 mg per serving), but it’s a reasonable amount considering the serving size and the flavor it imparts.

Conclusion: A Delicious and Flavorful Way to Enjoy Broccoli

Crunchy Baked Broccoli with Spicy Soy Sauce is a standout dish that makes eating vegetables both fun and flavorful. The crispy broccoli, combined with the savory and spicy dipping sauce, creates a perfect balance of texture and taste. It’s a quick, easy-to-make recipe that is sure to become a favorite, whether you serve it as a side dish, appetizer, or snack. With its bold flavors, healthy ingredients, and satisfying crunch, this dish proves that vegetables can be both delicious and exciting.

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