I Appreciate How Quick And Easy These Poppers Are To Prepare. The Air Fryer Gives Them A Crispy Exterior Without The Need For Deep Frying. I Like That I Can Easily Make Them Gluten-Free Or Plant-Based With Simple Swaps. They Are Great For Sharing, Meal Prepping, Or Sneaking More Vegetables Into My Day In A Delicious Way.
Ingredients
(Here’s A Tip: Check Out The Full List Of Ingredients And Measurements In The Recipe Card Below.)
Fresh Broccoli Florets Shredded Cheddar Cheese Breadcrumbs (Or Gluten-Free Breadcrumbs) Garlic Powder Onion Powder Salt And Pepper Egg (Or Flax Egg For Plant-Based Option)
Directions
I Start By Washing And Chopping The Broccoli Into Small Florets. If I Want A Softer Texture, I Briefly Blanch The Broccoli In Boiling Water For A Couple Of Minutes, Then Drain It Well.
In A Mixing Bowl, I Combine The Broccoli, Shredded Cheddar Cheese, Breadcrumbs, Garlic Powder, Onion Powder, Salt, Pepper, And The Egg Or Flax Egg. I Mix Everything Thoroughly Until Well Combined.
Next, I Shape The Mixture Into Small Balls Or Patties, Pressing Them Firmly So They Hold Together.
I Preheat The Air Fryer To 375°F (190°C) And Lightly Grease The Basket. I Arrange The Poppers In A Single Layer, Making Sure They Are Not Overcrowded. I Cook Them For 10 To 12 Minutes Until They Are Golden Brown And Crispy On The Outside.
I Let Them Cool Slightly Before Serving Them Warm With My Favorite Dipping Sauce.
Servings And Timing
This Recipe Makes 12 Servings. Prep Time: About 15 Minutes Cook Time: About 12 Minutes Total Time: 27 Minutes
Variations
I Sometimes Add A Little Grated Parmesan For Extra Flavor. If I Want A Spicy Kick, I Mix In A Pinch Of Chili Flakes Or Finely Diced Jalapeño. For A Different Cheese Flavor, I Swap The Cheddar For Mozzarella Or Pepper Jack. When I Want A Low-Carb Option, I Use Crushed Pork Rinds Instead Of Breadcrumbs.
Storage/Reheating
I Store Leftover Poppers In An Airtight Container In The Refrigerator For Up To 3 Days. To Reheat, I Place Them Back In The Air Fryer For A Few Minutes At 350°F Until Heated Through And Crispy Again. I Can Also Reheat Them In The Oven, Though They Stay Crispier In The Air Fryer.
FAQs
Can I Make These Ahead Of Time?
I Can Prepare And Shape The Poppers Ahead Of Time And Store Them In The Refrigerator Until Ready To Cook.
Can I Freeze Broccoli Cheddar Poppers?
I Freeze Them On A Baking Sheet First, Then Transfer Them To A Freezer Bag. I Cook Them Straight From Frozen, Adding A Few Extra Minutes To The Air Fryer Time.
How Do I Keep Them From Falling Apart?
I Make Sure To Chop The Broccoli Finely And Press The Mixture Firmly When Shaping. If The Mixture Feels Too Dry, I Add A Little More Egg.
Can I Bake Them Instead Of Air Frying?
I Bake Them In A Preheated Oven At 400°F For About 18 To 20 Minutes, Flipping Halfway Through For Even Browning.
What Dipping Sauces Pair Well With These?
I Enjoy Serving Them With Ranch Dressing, Garlic Aioli, Or A Simple Marinara Sauce For Extra Flavor.
Conclusion
I Love How These Air Fryer Broccoli Cheddar Poppers Turn Simple Ingredients Into A Crispy, Cheesy Bite That Is Both Satisfying And Easy To Make. They Are Perfect For Entertaining, Snacking, Or Adding A Fun Vegetable Side To Any Meal. Once I Make Them, They Quickly Become A Go-To Recipe In My Kitchen.
Air Fryer Broccoli Cheddar Poppers are crispy on the outside and cheesy on the inside, made with fresh broccoli, shredded cheddar, and simple pantry spices. This easy air fryer snack is perfect for appetizers, party food, or a healthy side dish.
Author:Sarah
Prep Time:15 minutes
Cook Time:12 minutes
Total Time:27 minutes
Yield:12 poppers
Category:Appetizer
Method:Air Fryer
Cuisine:American
Diet:Vegetarian
Ingredients
2 cups fresh broccoli florets, finely chopped
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
1/2 cup breadcrumbs (or gluten-free breadcrumbs)
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon onion powder
Salt and pepper, to taste
1 large egg (or flax egg for plant-based option)
Instructions
Prep Broccoli: Wash and finely chop broccoli into small florets. For softer texture, blanch in boiling water for 1–2 minutes, then drain well and pat dry.
Mix Ingredients: In a large bowl, combine chopped broccoli, shredded cheddar, breadcrumbs, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, pepper, and egg (or flax egg). Mix until fully combined.
Shape Poppers: Form mixture into small balls or patties (about 1–2 tablespoons each). Press firmly so they hold together.
Air Fry: Preheat air fryer to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease the basket. Arrange poppers in a single layer without overcrowding. Cook for 10–12 minutes, flipping halfway through, until golden brown and crispy.
Serve: Let cool slightly before serving. Enjoy warm with ranch, marinara, or your favorite dipping sauce.
Notes
Make sure broccoli is well-drained to prevent soggy poppers.
Add a tablespoon of grated Parmesan for extra flavor.
If mixture feels too wet, add a bit more breadcrumbs.
Store leftovers in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Reheat in the air fryer for 3–4 minutes to restore crispiness.
