Crescent Dough Broccoli Braid (with Video)
Today’s recipe is hands-down my daughter’s favorite vegetable recipe – it’s one of those few recipes that will please gourmands and kids alike! This Broccoli Braid is a decadent vegetable pastry with plenty of veggies and flavor. It’s fancy enough for entertaining but simple enough for a weeknight meal.
Broccoli Braid Recipe
Buttery crescent dough is wrapped around a creamy, cheesy vegetable filling and topped with sliced almonds to make this gorgeous side dish.
This broccoli braid is a great way to introduce new veggies to kids while also being a delicious treat for grown-ups.
Yes, it’s not as healthy as plain roasted veggies, but if you want something a bit special or just need to encourage kids to learn to like veggies, this broccoli braid is your golden ticket.
I’ve served this broccoli braid at countless dinners with friends and everyone raves about it and some even ask for the recipe. The only time we’ve ever had left-overs is if I make a second batch, which is thankfully very quick and easy.
This veggie side dish is so simple my 10 year old actually made one all by herself for Thanksgiving this year! I’ve even included a video so you can see just how easy it is to “braid” the top of your pastry to make it look bakery-quality.
Broccoli Braid Variations
- add chopped chicken, turkey or tuna to add some extra protein and make this side dish into a main course
- swap out the seasonings for your child’s favorites – for example, ranch seasoning would work excellently in this recipe
- change out the veggies – swap the broccoli for cauliflower or asparagus, the peppers for carrots, whatever you prefer! I like using crunchy veggies for a texture contrast but you can change them up to your personal preferences
- make individual servings by making crescent dough cups using a muffin tin or just add a couple tablespoons of the broccoli filling to individual crescent rolls
Be sure to check out our quick recipe video to see how to make your own broccoli braid (including that gorgeous braiding technique for the top) and then don’t forget to scroll down to grab your free printable recipe card:
Broccoli Braid Ingredients
- Broccoli, approximately 3 cups florets
- Diced Bell Pepper, approximately 1/2 cup
- Mayonnaise, as needed
- Garlic Powder
- White Pepper
- Kosher Salt
- Dill, optional
- Shredded Cheddar Cheese
- Pillsbury Crescent Dough
- Egg White
- Slivered Almonds
Scroll down to the printable recipe card for full measurements.
Tip: adjust the seasonings to suit your personal tastes – we love garlic and dill but ranch seasoning or Italian seasoning would be equally delicious.
Kitchen Tools You May Find Helpful
- Pizza Cutter or Sharp Kitchen Knife
- Cutting Board
- Mixing Bowls
- Whisk
- Baking Sheet
- Wooden Spoon or Spatula
- Pastry brush <– I like these because they are one solid piece and don’t have removable heads for bacteria to get trapped underneath. Plus they are heat-resistant and have a lifetime warranty.
- Measuring Cups and Spoons
How to Make Broccoli Braid
Preheat oven to 375ºF.
Line a baking tray with parchment paper or tinfoil and set aside.
Chop all of the broccoli florets to be about 1/2″ big and place in a bowl.
Stir in the diced bell pepper, then add the mayonnaise, seasoning and cheddar cheese. Stir until mixed well. Set aside.
Place the unrolled crescent dough in the middle of the baking sheet and press together any pre-cut lines.
Spoon the broccoli mixture down the middle of the dough, leaving 2″ clear on both sides (vertically).
Take a pizza cutter or knife and make 1 1/2″ to 2″ cuts every 1″ or so along the vertical sides. (I attached a picture so you can see what I mean.)
Take the first cut strip from each side and pull together to meet at the center of the dough, wrapping the broccoli mixture.
Press the dough edges together firmly to attach. You can also twist the strips slightly before attaching.
Repeat with all strips of dough.
Place egg white in a bowl and whisk slightly before brushing all over the pastry. Sprinkle on almonds.
Bake for 25-28 minutes until golden brown.
Pin this Easy Veggie Side to make your kids into broccoli fans:
Grab your free printable recipe card for our our broccoli braid recipe:
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Crescent Dough Broccoli Braid
Buttery crescent dough is wrapped around a creamy, cheesy vegetable filling and topped with sliced almonds to make this gorgeous side dish. This broccoli braid is a great way to introduce new veggies to kids while also being a delicious treat for grown-ups.
Ingredients
- 1 head broccoli, approximately 3 cups florets
- 1 diced bell pepper, approximately 1/2 cup
- 1/3 to 1/2 cup mayonnaise, as needed
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon white pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/2 teaspoon dill, optional
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 8-count canister Pillsbury crescent dough
- 1 egg white
- 1/4 cup slivered almonds
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375F
- Line a baking tray with parchment paper or tinfoil and set aside.
- Chop all of the broccoli florets to be about 1/2" big and place in a bowl. Stir in the diced bell pepper, then add the mayonnaise, seasoning and cheddar cheese. Stir until mixed well. Set aside.
- Place the unrolled crescent dough in the middle of the baking sheet and press together any pre-cut lines.
- Spoon the broccoli mixture down the middle of the dough, leaving 2" clear on both sides (vertically).
- Take a pizza cutter or knife and make 1 1/2" to 2" cuts every 1" or so along the vertical sides. (I attached a picture so you can see what I mean.)
- Take the first cut strip from each side and pull together to meet at the center of the dough, wrapping the broccoli mixture. Press the dough edges together firmly to attach. You can also twist the strips slightly before attaching.
- Repeat with all strips of dough.
- Place egg white in a bowl and whisk slightly before brushing all over the pastry. Sprinkle on almonds.
- Bake for 25-28 minutes until golden brown.
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Nutrition Information:
Yield:
8Serving Size:
1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 202Total Fat: 15gSaturated Fat: 6gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 7gCholesterol: 32mgSodium: 338mgCarbohydrates: 8gFiber: 3gSugar: 2gProtein: 9g
Sugar, Spice and Glitter uses an auto-generate nutrition calculator. Nutrition information isn’t always accurate unless analyzed in a scientific lab, so these should be considered more of a guideline than medical information.
I hope your family and friends love this easy broccoli braid as much as mine do! It’s always a hit over here.
For more ways to make veggies delicious, check out our full vegetable recipe collection here:
For more scrumptious side dishes, check out our full side dish recipe collection here:
