Parmesan Roasted Broccoli Stalks

by Shelley · May contain affiliate links

Published • Updated August 2, 2021

~ These Parmesan Roasted Broccoli Stalks disappear in a flash! They’re a terrific little snack, and also a perfect dinner side dish recipe. With just a couple of ingredients, they’re quick and easy, and they deliciously utilize a part of the vegetable that’s often otherwise discarded. Bonus: you get some really fun, random shapes, too – a lot of cute kid-allure to get your kiddos eating some more veggies! ~

Save money – don’t throw away your broccoli stalks! These Parmesan Roasted Broccoli Stalks are so easy and even kids love them! Really! Roasted Parmesan Broccoli Stems are a great healthy snack recipe, or a quick dinner side dish recipe. These oven roasted broccoli chips are quick and easy, and they deliciously use a part of the broccoli that’s often discarded. Plus, you get some really cute, fun shapes, too – a perfect way to get your kids to eat more vegetables! | www.TwoHealthyKitchens.com
Save money – don’t throw away your broccoli stalks! These Parmesan Roasted Broccoli Stalks are so easy and even kids love them! Really! Roasted Parmesan Broccoli Stems are a great healthy snack recipe, or a quick dinner side dish recipe. These oven roasted broccoli chips are quick and easy, and they deliciously use a part of the broccoli that’s often discarded. Plus, you get some really cute, fun shapes, too – a perfect way to get your kids to eat more vegetables! | www.TwoHealthyKitchens.com

This Recipe Is:     Ready in 30 Minutes or Less  •  Includes Make-Ahead Steps    Vegetarian (see note)  •  Gluten Free  •  

Parmesan Roasted Broccoli Stalks have just a few simple ingredients. They’re such a simple solution to the question of what to do with broccoli stalks!

Hate throwing away money? (And food you’ve already paid for?)

Yeah.

So you’re basically a wise budgeter and earth-smart consumer … and also a card-carrying member of the foodie “In” club. You own that, right?!?

No doubt, if you read many food magazines or keep an eye on the restaurant scene, you’ve noticed: food waste is out, and using up every part of a vegetable (or animal) is definitely in – waaaaaay in.

Top chefs pride themselves on repurposing portions of ingredients that might previously have headed for the compost pile, even creating dishes that feature one single main ingredient, used in as many innovative ways as possible.

Besides leftover broccoli stalks, all you need for this easy side dish recipe is some parmesan cheese, plus a bit of olive oil, salt and pepper. So simple! This oven roasted broccoli recipe makes a great, healthy snack, too!

It’s a wonderful response to a growing global consciousness about the environment, and a desire to be more careful stewards of our food, farms and threatened natural resources.

These roasted broccoli stalks were one more tiny thing our family could do to be a part of all that. In much the same way that we use bits of leftover chicken to make our frozen dog treats and our baked dog biscuits … we also realized that roasting broccoli stalks into delicious chips was a great solution all around!

For one thing, they taste fantastic – surprisingly delicious for just a few basic ingredients! Salty parmesan cheese is exactly the right counterpoint to the warm, roasted broccoli. The only other ingredients you need are a little olive oil and a sprinkling of salt and pepper. So simple!

Plus they’re really nutritious. I mean … we’re talking broccoli here, after all!

And, we’re saving those broccoli stalks from being wasted.

Absolute win!

Don’t throw away produce you’ve already paid for! Use those broccoli stalks to make easy Roasted Broccoli Chips!

Because my family frequently makes our beloved Roasted Broccoli and Cauliflower Pasta, I often have broccoli stalks left over. Lots of ’em! And, with all the terrific feedback we’ve gotten from friends and relatives about that particular pasta recipe, I knew you guys might have small mountains of broccoli stalks in your own kitchens, too.

No worries – you can enjoy that scrumptious pasta one night, and save the broccoli stalks for a snack or easy side dish later in the week. Bonus!

So … ya ready to get started? Let’s do this!

Peeling and Slicing Your Broccoli Stalks

I usually grab a vegetable peeler to remove the tough outer layer from the broccoli stalks.

Peeling broccoli stalks helps to remove some of the tough outer layer. The stems of broccoli are tender near the florets and may not even need to be peeled at all, but it’s helpful to remove the tough outer layer further down near the base of each broccoli stalk.

The stems are generally pretty tender up near the florets, but I definitely like to peel away the outer layer where it gets thicker and tougher, further down near the base of each broccoli stalk.

After peeling, I thinly chop the stalks to create “chips” that are about 1/8″ thick.

For this parmesan roasted broccoli recipe, we cut the broccoli stalks into “chips” about 1/8” thick.

(Just a note: these don’t really get crunchy like a true “chip.” We roast them just long enough to get some caramelized brown spots and create that deeper roasted flavor, but we’re not going for crispy-crunchy texture here.)

A Fun Way to Get Kids to Eat More Vegetables

What’s really fun (and ultra kid-appealing!) are the random, quirky shapes you get as you slice the broccoli up near the florets at the top of each stalk.

How to get kids to eat more vegetables: make fun shapes! This oven roasted broccoli suddenly becomes an eating adventure!

Just like with clouds in the sky, you and your little ones can try to figure out what all those crazy shapes actually are (space invaders? teddy bears?). And you might be delighted to find that the kiddos are suddenly a bit more excited about eating some veggies, too!

Hey, hey … another victory!

We’ve saved broccoli stalks from the compost heap, and also gotten kiddos to eat more veggies. If you’re keeping score, we are definitely winning today!

And check this out …

I almost edited this photo because every time I looked at it, I saw a turtle (possibly a swimming turtle??). But then I realized that the whole turtle-shaped-broccoli thing going on here was actually so fun!

Doesn’t this roasted parmesan broccoli chip look just like a little turtle?!?! How cute!

I swear I didn’t strategically place those bits of black pepper. Just a lucky accident that those specks happened to fall perfectly into place as an eye and a little turtle mouth! What kid could resist?!?

Tips for Perfect Roasted Broccoli Stalks

1. Simplicity – Once you’ve got your broccoli stalks peeled and adorably (see turtle above!) sliced, they just need a quick toss with some olive oil, salt and pepper. Seriously simple. That’s really all it takes to create roasty-toasty-delicious magic in the oven.

You can toss the sliced broccoli stalks with the oil and seasoning in a bowl, or do it directly on the baking sheet (which saves washing an extra bowl!).

You’ve heard me get gushy before about how much I love roasting vegetables. You remember … our “I’m-fantasizing-about-it-this-very-minute” Roasted Broccoli and Cauliflower Pasta, and the “I-make-them-ALL-the-time” Rosemary Roasted Potatoes, and also our super-popular Roasted Green Beans with Balsamic Browned Butter. To name just a few.

Oh yeah – and those roasted potatoes in our Irish Nachos. Definitely some serious roasted veggie magic happening there!

Uh-huh. You hear me.

Roasting is magical. Really simple … really delicious.

It makes veggies taste amazing (so your family eats a ton of them, and you feel like a nutrition superhero). ‘Nuff said.

2. Lotsa Real Estate – Just like with any other veggies you roast, a major key to success is making sure you spread them out on the baking sheet.

How to roast broccoli stalks: one of the most important keys is to make sure the slices are all spread out and not piled on top of each other.

Remember the discussion about veggie real estate when we were roasting potatoes for our Cheesy Pizza Fries? Broccoli stalks like their space, too. If you pile them on top of each other, they’ll tend to steam rather than roasting, and you won’t get the same result, or all those pretty, toasty brown spots that indicate maximum yum-ness.

Real estate … spread ’em out!

Perfectly roasted broccoli has just a few toasty brown spots – so yummy!3. The Perfect Cheese – Once your roasted broccoli stalks are nearly at peak perfection, you flip them and stir them (spreading them back out again!), and add the final flourish – salty, cheesy, delicious parmesan!

We’ve tried making this recipe with cheddar, too, but parmesan was the clear winner for us (we were surprised!). It only takes a tiny bit of cheese to yield a big flavor impact.

Just a little sprinkling of salty parmesan cheese is the perfect thing to transform oven roasted broccoli into something special!

After a couple more finishing minutes in the oven, that parmesan is an irresistible combination of melted and toasted. And soooooo good, my friends.

These disappear almost as soon as I set them on the table.

As in … we typically scarf down every last roasted broccoli chip before we even get around to dishing up the rest of the meal! You know I don’t make this stuff up … happened again just last night. A mini feeding frenzy where we sometimes need to count fingers once it’s over. (Ok … I’m kidding a little bit about that last part. But only a little!)

Seriously though … these are that good!

Each little broccoli chip is loaded with flavor!

Need More Ideas for What To Do with Broccoli Stalks?

Guys, I really, really want you to make these. We love them, and you will too!

But, I also want you to get inspired in thinking about ways to avoid food waste, whether you’re using this particular recipe or not.

So, what else can you do with broccoli stalks?

There are so many ways to use broccoli stalks! From salads to stir-fries … just don’t throw them away and waste good money and all that great nutrition!

Consider them to be part of the broccoli! If you’re making a broccoli salad for a picnic, for example … why stop at including only the florets? Dice the stalks, and toss them in, too!

Or, you could slice the stalks and sauté them with other veggies, chop them for stir fries or soups … again, pretty much anywhere you can imagine using the florets.

Just remember that the broccoli stalks have a different texture (you know … more solid and less floret-y), and they may also have a slightly different cooking time. But beyond that … get creative, and you’ll cash in on great nutrition, without throwing out a perfectly good part of a vegetable that you already spent money to purchase!

Mmmmmmm … so easy, but this Parmesan Roasted Broccoli Stalk recipe is a true pleasure! And it disappears in no time flat!

But really, first off … make these Parmesan Roasted Broccoli Stalks. It’ll probably be the only “use-up-that-broccoli” recipe idea you’ll ever need!

Parmesan Roasted Broccoli Stalks

Parmesan Roasted Broccoli Stalks

Yield: 1 cup
Prep Time: 12 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 27 minutes

These Roasted Broccoli Stalks disappear in a flash! With just a couple of simple ingredients, they're an easy snack or a quick side dish recipe. And kids love 'em!

•  Ready in 30 Minutes or Less  •  Includes Make-Ahead Steps  •  Vegetarian (see note)  •  Gluten Free  •

Ingredients

  • 2 cups peeled and thinly sliced (about 1/8" thick) broccoli stalks (see note)
  • 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
  • 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1/8 teaspoon black pepper
  • 3 tablespoons grated parmesan cheese (see note)

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 475°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
  2. In a medium bowl (or directly on the parchment-lined baking sheet), toss broccoli stalks with olive oil, salt, and pepper, making sure that the broccoli is thoroughly coated and the oil and seasonings are evenly distributed. Spread broccoli slices out evenly on the baking sheet, making sure the slices aren't piled on top of each other.
  3. Bake for about 13 minutes, until the broccoli has developed some roasted brown spots.
  4. Remove broccoli from oven, stir and flip the broccoli, and then spread the broccoli back out on the baking sheet. Evenly top each broccoli slice with some of the cheese.
  5. Return broccoli to oven and bake for about 2 minutes more, just until the cheese is melted and a little browned and bubbly.
  6. Serve immediately.

Notes

Broccoli stalks: To yield 2 cups of slices, you will need about 4-7 stalks, depending on how thick the stalks are and how far up each stalk you use.

Peeling the stalks: We use a vegetable peeler to quickly and easily remove the tough outer layer of the stalks. The stalks tend to be tougher at the bottom and require little or no peeling as you get toward the top, where the florets were. We don't recommend putting the peels down your garbage disposal.

Parmesan cheese: To make this pasta recipe truly vegetarian, be sure to select a parmesan cheese made with non-traditional enzyme alternatives from microbes or fermentation, rather than the traditional rennet.

Make-ahead step: You can peel the broccoli stalks and slice the "chips" earlier in the day or even a day ahead. Wrap the slices tightly (so they don't dry out) and store them in the fridge until you're ready to finish the recipe.

Nutrition Information:
Yield: 4 servings Serving Size: 1/4 cup
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 75Total Fat: 5gSaturated Fat: 1gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 3gCholesterol: 4mgSodium: 240mgCarbohydrates: 6gFiber: 3gSugar: 1gProtein: 3g

Nutrition information should be considered an estimate only, and may vary depending on your choice of ingredients or preparation. No guarantees are made regarding allergies or dietary needs. Always consult a physician or dietician for specific advice and questions.

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This is a great snack recipe, and also a perfect easy side dish recipe!

24 thoughts on “Parmesan Roasted Broccoli Stalks”

  1. I so want to try this, and I’m wondering about adding a little dry ranch dressing mix, in with the oil, salt and pepper. Our maybe I should just add that to a few, until I know how it taste.

    Reply
    • That’s a really interesting idea, Mary Jo! I haven’t tried it, but I’d love to know how it works out for you if you give it a shot! I think you’re probably right – maybe just start with a few broccoli chips prepared that way, in case you don’t love it or need to adjust the amount of ranch flavor slightly. (Always a good idea to check the ingredients lists on those packets, too. 😉 ) Can’t wait to hear about this experiment! ~Shelley

      Reply
    • That’s so funny how you only used to eat broccoli stalks – but I guess as long as a kiddo is eating broccoli at all, nobody cares WHICH specific part of the broccoli, right?!? 😉 I think you’ll really love these! In fact, it’s occurred to me that I may find myself buying broccoli just to get the stalks for this recipe … and then wondering what on earth to do with the “leftover” florets lol! #TotalRoleReversal ~Shelley

      Reply
    • I totally agree, Mary Frances! Over the years, I’ve tried throwing them in salads a couple of times, or otherwise incorporating them into the dish I was making, but so many times (like if I’m making a veggie dip tray, for example), those broccoli stems just ended up getting pitched. In fact, sometimes I would hopefully keep them in the veggie crisper, with the intention of somehow using them … only to throw those poor broccoli stalks away later. This recipe for the roasting the stalks is such a hit with my family, that now I can actually look forward to having leftover broccoli stalks – because it’s such a treat when I do! Almost like I’ll be buying broccoli just for the stalks .. and then looking for ways to use the florets LOL! 😉 ~Shelley

      Reply
  2. I always throw away the broccoli stalks.
    Just a fact of the kitchen. However, I will forever see the stalks in a different light. They will no longer be thrown out.

    Reply
    • I always used to throw them away, too … but it seemed like such a shame! Such a large proportion of the broccoli I’d purchased was just going to waste! Hmmmmmm … what to do with the broccoli stalks??? Problem solved! I love this recipe, not only because it’s truly so yummy and also so nutritious, but also because it’s a great way to use up those stalks. Why throw away great food you’ve already paid for, right?!? Can’t wait for you to try this! 🙂 ~Shelley

      Reply
  3. I adore these! This is such a fabulous idea, and I need to make it. I love broccoli stalks too. I like to make a salad out of them (recipe on blog). Thanks also for linking to my miso roasted broccoli. I have a broccoli stalk in the fridge now – must make these soon!

    Reply
    • Mmmmmmm … I just peeked at your recipe for broccoli stalk salad, Debi – and it looks wonderful! So fresh and vibrant! 🙂 I have to say – putting together this post for my Roasted Broccoli Stalk recipe really got me thinking about even more ways to use up broccoli stalks, plus lots of other under-used and often-discarded veggie parts. I’m finding so many other really terrific recipes out there that really help cut down on food waste, and also save a lot of money, since you aren’t throwing away produce you’ve already purchased.

      Hope you use that broccoli stalk in your fridge to give this a try – let me know what you think! ~Shelley

      Reply

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