Broccoli Bites with Tangy Dipping Sauce

I usually test a recipe 4-5 times to make sure everything is consistent. When it came to testing this one, I honestly, lost count. The recipe itself didn’t change but the cooking methods did.

These broccoli bites have been deep fried, air fried, baked, pan seared, I even tried to make them into little soufflés! You name it, I did it.

In an effort to keep things on the healthier side and avoid the frying method, which was the best version (bar none) I finally settled on a pan fried version. Yes, it uses oil, but significantly less oil than the deeper fried version.

So what do I love about these Broccoli Bites?

The flavor in these little nuggets is insane. Sweet shredded carrots, scallions and cheese compliment the broccoli to perfection. Don’t be fooled by the fact that these bites are small and vegetarian, these Broccoli Bites are packed with tasty goodness and so much nutricional value.

The dipping sauce is simple and very refreshing. Sour cream and a bit of mayo with lemon juice and zest brighten the flavors and balance the strong broccoli flavor.

The inside is creamy and tender while the outside is crunchy. Such a perfect balance of textures!

I served these Broccoli Bites as a side to several diners in my house. My family enjoyed having them, all 700 times I made them!

How I made these Broccoli Bites with Tangy Dipping Sauce:

These are the ingredients needed to make the Broccoli Bites:

These are some helpful tools you’ll need to make these Broccoli Bites:

Start by cutting the broccoli heads into smaller size florets. Discard the stems. 

Cook the broccoli florets in salted boiling water for 5-7 minutes until very tender. 

Tip! The broccoli will be slightly overcooked. It will be very soft and easy to chop. This texture works best to create a creamy consistency in the inside of the broccoli bites.

 While the broccoli cooks, prepare the rest of the mixture. 

Peel, trim and finely shred the carrots. Add them to a large bowl. 

Trim and chop the scallions very finely. Add them to the bowl where the carrots are. 

Add the eggs and the shredded mozzarella cheese. 

Mix the ingredients well. 

In a separate small bowl, combine the flour, baking soda, baking powder and salt. 

Add the flour mixture to the carrot mixture. 

Combine until slightly incorporated. 

Tip! The flour is still very visible at this point. Do not over mix as it makes the mixture become dense and less airy. 

At this point the broccoli should be cooked through. Drain the broccoli and chop as fine as you can. 

Tip! Try to leave the broccoli chunks in pea size bits. 

Add the broccoli to the carrot mixture. Try not to add the broccoli in the mixture while it is piping hot.  Let it cool a bit.

Tip! The broccoli will have a chance to cool a bit while it is being chopped. This will help the eggs not scramble in the mixture. 

Combine the broccoli into the mixture and stop mixing as soon as the flour has been completely absorbed.

DO NOT OVER MIX.

In a medium size pan, add 2-3 tablespoons of oil. Let the oil heat in medium high temperature. 

Tip! If you move the pan, you can see tiny ripples forming on the bottom of the pan, this is indicative that the pan is nice and hot! 

Using a small ice cream scooper, scoop out the mixture. Do not over crowd the pan. Fry 5-6 bites at a time. 

Tip! If the pan is over crowded with broccoli bites, they will not get crunchy, they will steam and absorb more oil. 

Cook the bites for 2-3 minutes per side. 

Tip! If you try to flip them and they seem stuck to the bottom, then they are not ready to be turned yet. 

Flip the bites when they are nice and golden. Before you flip them, pat them softly to make them a bit flat. 

Repeat the frying process with the rest of the mixture. Add oil as needed. This frying process is on the slower side of things, it is not a flash fry, it’s more of a slow sear. 

When cooked on both sides, place the bites on a paper towel for extra oil absorption. 

Tip! While resting on the paper towel, sprinkle a little salt to each bite. 

Tip! If the pan becomes too hot, remove from the heat to allow it to cool a bit. If the bites get fried too quickly on the outside, they will not have enough time to cook properly on the inside. 

Plate the broccoli bites and prepare the dipping sauce.

For the tangy dipping sauce: 

In a small bowl, combine the sour cream, mayo, lemon zest and lemon juice. 

Add a few dashes of cayenne pepper (depending on how spicy you like it) and season with salt and pepper. 

Serve the bites while they are still warm. 

Tip! If served later, these bites reheat beautifully in an air fryer or a hot (400°) oven.