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You are here: Home / Physical Kitchness / Paleo Broccoli “Cheese” Sticks

Paleo Broccoli “Cheese” Sticks

6 May

Broccoli and cheese are the quintessential combo that makes broccoli actually edible – even for the veggie impaired. Bread in the form of a stick also raise-the-roof-worthy. But paleo broccoli “cheese” sticks that combine the healthy components of broccoli, the savory necessity of cheese, and the soft, finger food love of a bread stick, that both adults and little ones will like? One word – YES.

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These broccoli 'cheese' sticks are gluten free and diary free, and PERFECT for baby led weaning. Packed with vitamins and delicious

If you’ve been a loyal follower of Physical Kitchness, you know that I started my son with real ‘adult’ foods right off the bat – also known as baby led weaning. Of course I wasn’t shoving an apple or a piece of steak in his face at 6 months old, but I learned how to incorporate foods like roasted sweet potato wedges, avocado slices, or sliced bananas into his diet while carefully watching him to gage how he was doing with each soft food so I could see what would be ok to introduce next. I then started experimenting with fun combos that were squeaky clean, healthy, and do-able for little mouths with 4 teeth. These spinach and sweet potato tots and cinnamon spinach mini flap jacks were always a hit.

Now that he has a few more teeth and a tenacious appetite, I decided it was time to step up my game! Plus I wanted to make a fun eat that I could enjoy too – whether it was to dunk in my favorite soup, swirl in my runny egg yolk (because runny yolks are the ONLY way).

Packed with veggies and vitamins, these are the perfect toddler snack you can feel good about serving!

These paleo broccoli “cheese” sticks are perfect to serve for my little one and to munch on myself. Why the quotations around “cheese”? Because these sticks are dairy-free! I have a special trick to mimic the taste of cheese – a discovery you may have never heard of, but WILL change you life.

Packed with tons of vitamins, easy to make, paleo, whole30 compliant, AND perfect for little mouths? I don’t think broccoli could ever boast such amazingness on its own!

The secret ingredient that makes these paleo broccoli “cheese” sticks worth trying? Nutritional yeast. If you’ve never heard of it, don’t be weirded out – it’s much more appetizing than it sounds. Nutritional yeast is usually found in small yellow flakes or as powder that is packed with B-complex vitamins. However, it’s not an active yeast. Nutritional yeast has a nutty, cheesy-like taste that is often substituted for grated cheese and tastes amazing on roasted vegetables and even popcorn! I find it at my local Whole Foods but most health food stores will carry it, and it’s fairly easy to find purchase online. A little goes a long way, so buying a jar or bag of it will last you months.

Whole30 complaint, paleo broccoli 'cheese' sticks are great for adults and kids. My toddler loves them!

Ready to try them yourself? Start by boiling a pot of water and dropping four cups of broccoli florets into the water. Boil 8-10 minutes, until the broccoli is soft. Drain the water and place the florets into a food processor and pulse for a few seconds until the broccoli is broken down. Scrape the broccoli ‘paste’ out of the food processor and into a medium bowl. In a separate bowl, combine the almond flour, coconut flour, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, baking powder, and nutritional yeast together. Add the dried ingredients to the broccoli, then add one egg and 1/2 teaspoon apple cider vinegar and mix until well combined.

Pour the mixture on a parchment-lined baking sheet and place another piece of parchment paper over the top. Using a rolling pin (or your hands), spread the mixture by pressing it out underneath the top piece of parchment paper (to avoid it sticking) until it’s roughly 1/3 – 1/2 inch thick. Remove the top piece of parent paper. Using a pizza cutter, score the dough into 1″-wide pieces to make sticks. Also score the dough in the middle.

Dough for these paleo broccoli "cheese" sticks

Place into the oven at 375 degrees for about 30 minutes, until the edges are slightly golden and the middle is cooked through. Let cool, then separate the scored pieces into sticks.

You can store these at room temperature for a few days, or to keep longer, place in an airtight container in the refrigerator. I also freezer leftover sticks and thaw when needed. Does the dough kind of look like a pizza crust to you? DING DING – you can also use this for a healthier pizza crust alternative!

These toddler broccoli sticks are the perfect healthy snack made with all paleo ingredients

 

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Paleo Broccoli “Cheese” Sticks

These broccoli 'cheese' sticks are gluten free and diary free, and PERFECT for baby led weaning. Packed with vitamins and delicious

★★★★★

5 from 3 reviews

  • Author: Physical Kitchness
  • Yield: 22 sticks 1x
Scale

Ingredients

  • 4 cups broccoli florets
  • 1 cup almond flour
  • 1/4 cup coconut flour
  • 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 2 tablespoons + 1 teaspoon nutritional yeast
  • 1 large egg
  • 1/2 teaspoon apple cider vinegar

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees
  2. Bring a pot of water to a boil and add the broccoli florets. Boil for 8-10 minutes, until broccoli is soft, then drain the water
  3. Add the broccoli to a food processor and pulse until broccoli is broken down and scrape the broccoli ‘paste’ out of the food processor and into a medium bowl
  4. In a separate bowl, combine the almond flour, coconut flour, baking powder, onion powder, garlic powder, salt, and nutritional yeast together
  5. Add the dried ingredients to the broccoli, then add the egg and apple cider vinegar and mix until well combined
  6. Pour the mixture on a parchment-lined baking sheet and place another piece of parchment paper over the top. Using a rolling pin (or your hands), spread the down by pressing it out on the top piece of parchment paper (to avoid it sticking) until it’s roughly 1/3 – 1/2 inch thick
  7. Remove the top piece of parent paper. Using a pizza cutter, score the dough into 1″-wide pieces to make sticks. Also score the dough in the middle
  8. Place into the oven at 375 degrees for about 30 minutes, until the edges are slightly golden and the middle is cooked through. Let cool, then break the pieces into sticks
  9. Store at room temperature for a few days, or to keep longer, place in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Freeze any leftover sticks and thaw when needed

Disclaimer: Please note that there may be some affiliate links on this page and I will earn a small commission if you purchase through those links. However, all opinions are my own. Thank you for your support.

 

These broccoli 'cheese' sticks are gluten free and diary free, and PERFECT for baby led weaning and toddler snacking. Packed with veggies and vitamins, and whole30 compliant too!
Chrissa
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39 Comments Filed Under: Physical Kitchness, Recipes, Snacks, Toddler Approved, Whole30 Tagged With: baby led weaning, broccoli, paleo, whole30[heart_this]

About Chrissa

I'm Chrissa - a lover of cooking, hater of spiders, fitness enthusiast, red lipstick wearer, mom and wife. Here you will find healthy recipes the family will love, step-by-step workout tutorials, meal planning guides and wellness tips.

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Comments

  1. Stella @ Stellicious Life says

    May 6, 2016 at 5:11 am

    Wow, this is a completely unique and new to me combination, love that it is cheesy without any actual dairy cheese! I love broccoli, but Boyfriend doesn’t, will have to try your recipe and see if he likes eating broccoli this way 😉 Thanks and have a lovely weekend!

    ★★★★★

    Reply
  2. Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says

    May 6, 2016 at 5:13 am

    Well anything NOOCH-ful <3 I really think I could live off the stuff! I haven't gotten my brother to try it, but my mom was pleasantly surprised 😉

    Reply
    • Chrissa says

      May 8, 2016 at 10:42 am

      It’s kind of amazing, isn’t it? When I was first introduced to it, I admit I was a little weirded out. But now I never go without it!

      Reply
      • Mg McGrath says

        August 2, 2017 at 3:04 am

        hi chrissa
        i made this twice as i thought i might have made a mistake or missed an ingredient as first batch did not come out crispy though it’s the same the second time around, any idea why this could be?
        thanks

        Reply
        • Chrissa says

          August 8, 2017 at 2:07 pm

          Hi! I responded to your email, but these are not meant to be crispy. They are more of a bread consistency. You could broil them for a bit to crisp up the edges if desired.

          Reply
  3. Heather @ Polyglot Jot says

    May 6, 2016 at 5:21 am

    Yum these look so good–i love broccoli cheese combo and cant have dairy these days. Thanks so much for sharing. I’ve not yet tried nutritional yeast but its been on my list of must-buys! This recipe may have been the push i needed to get some!

    Reply
    • Chrissa says

      May 8, 2016 at 10:38 am

      YES friend, MUST BUY. Especially if you can’t have dairy anymore, nutritional yeast will be a lifesaver when you need a little cheesy fix! I hope you love these!

      Reply
  4. Giselle Schroer says

    May 6, 2016 at 5:22 am

    These sound great and I love that they freeze well! I’m all about freezer food right now as we prepare for baby #2! Thanks for sharing!

    Reply
    • Chrissa says

      May 8, 2016 at 10:36 am

      Momma-me toooooo! I did this with my first and it was a lifesaver. I’ll be totally stocking the freezer FULL before my second comes as well. Great minds think alike!

      Reply
  5. Gunjan says

    May 6, 2016 at 7:08 am

    Wonderful idea. I am trying this since I have broccoli in my refrigerator.

    Reply
    • Chrissa says

      May 8, 2016 at 10:34 am

      Thanks Gunjan! Enjoy!

      Reply
  6. candy says

    May 6, 2016 at 7:09 am

    Interesting recipe with broccoli going in my todo box.

    Reply
    • Chrissa says

      May 8, 2016 at 10:33 am

      Good call! It’s a to-do that should definitely be made!

      Reply
  7. linda spiker says

    May 6, 2016 at 7:11 am

    Yum and they look really easy to make!

    ★★★★★

    Reply
    • Chrissa says

      May 8, 2016 at 10:33 am

      Thanks Linda!

      Reply
  8. Emily says

    May 6, 2016 at 7:34 am

    Now I’m thinking broccoli cheese sticks for breakfast sounds really good!

    Reply
    • Chrissa says

      May 8, 2016 at 10:31 am

      Right?! You wouldn’t think, but seriously with eggs = da bomb!

      Reply
  9. Robyn Proctor says

    May 6, 2016 at 8:11 am

    I would never think to make this, so creative and yummy:)

    Reply
    • Chrissa says

      May 8, 2016 at 10:29 am

      Half the stuff I make I never think to make, it just sorta comes together 😉 Thanks Robyn!

      Reply
  10. Charlotte says

    May 6, 2016 at 12:14 pm

    I love broccoli so much more when it involves cheese so these sound perfect!

    Reply
    • Chrissa says

      May 7, 2016 at 7:34 am

      I don’t think you are alone Charlotte! These are a good compromise of healthy and tasty! Even sans the cheese.

      Reply
  11. Julia @ Drops of Jules says

    May 6, 2016 at 1:00 pm

    I’ll be the first to admit that I don’t get enough veggies in my daily eats, but this sounds delicious!

    Reply
    • Chrissa says

      May 7, 2016 at 7:32 am

      This is a great way to do it! Thanks so much Julia.

      Reply
  12. Liz @ The Clean Eating Couple says

    May 6, 2016 at 1:21 pm

    This is such a cool idea! I want to try this as a way to get in more veggies.. I just bought nutritional yeast the other day – so this is perfect timing!

    Reply
    • Chrissa says

      May 7, 2016 at 7:29 am

      YES! That is perfect timing! You go Liz – enjoy!

      Reply
  13. Brittany says

    May 6, 2016 at 8:00 pm

    This is so perfect for my almost 2 year old! Can’t wait to try it!

    Reply
    • Chrissa says

      May 7, 2016 at 7:28 am

      I hope he/she loves these Brittany!

      Reply
  14. Rosie from Blog To Taste says

    May 8, 2016 at 6:23 pm

    Oh yes, I will be making these. I love broccoli, cheese and sticks! Seriously though, these look good and might cure my craving for cheesy crackers and bread sticks, which i cannot have because i am sadly lactose intolerant 🙁

    Reply
    • Chrissa says

      May 9, 2016 at 4:02 pm

      Oh I hope it hits that craving for you Rosie!! I think you can’t go wrong with these beauties. Especially when you’ve been missing all those once beloved, lactose-filled snacks!!

      Reply
  15. Stacie | RDN says

    May 9, 2016 at 7:54 pm

    These looks so delicious! Can’t wait to share them! xo

    Reply
    • Chrissa says

      May 9, 2016 at 8:01 pm

      Thanks Stacie! I hope you love ’em!

      Reply
  16. Alex says

    November 22, 2016 at 1:11 pm

    Does this work with flax “egg” to make it vegan?

    Reply
    • Chrissa says

      November 25, 2016 at 2:05 pm

      Hi Alex – I haven’t tried it with flax egg, BUT I think it would work! You could also try chia “egg” too. Let me know if you give it a whirl!

      Reply
  17. Carly says

    March 13, 2017 at 1:28 pm

    Hi Chrissa,
    Think I can still make these if I don’t have coconut flour only the almond flour?

    Thanks!! 🙂

    Reply
    • Chrissa says

      March 13, 2017 at 8:11 pm

      Hmmm you may need more liquid if you tried with coconut flour since it’s so dense. And you probably will taste a slight coconut flavor. I’d likely stick to almond flour or sub with gluten free flour if possible!

      Reply
  18. Maureen says

    January 11, 2018 at 2:50 pm

    Hello! Can the flour be substituted with oat or all purpose?

    Reply
    • Chrissa says

      January 18, 2018 at 11:33 am

      I haven’t played with other flours but my guess is that oat flour would work!

      Reply
  19. Colleen says

    August 24, 2018 at 6:04 pm

    I made these for my 1 1/2 year old and I had a hard time not eating them for myself. Both my son and I LOVED these and they were so quick and easy to make! These are definitely going to be a repeat recipe to make!

    ★★★★★

    Reply
    • Chrissa says

      August 29, 2018 at 5:47 am

      I’m so glad these were a hit!

      Reply

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