Easy Tempura Broccoli

Tempura broccoli is a quick and delicious way to enjoy broccoli. Even if you are not a big fan of broccoli, those cooked using tempura batter, you will enjoy eating. These broccoli are a great option for your kids to start eating more of them.

The tempura broccoli are made by coating the broccoli florets in a light and airy tempura batter which then is deep fried in a saucepan with hot oil until the broccoli will get a golden coat.

As a result, you will get a crispy and tasty snack or appetizer. The recipe is very easy to follow. The only thing you should pay attention to is the hot oil. Make sure not to burn yourself with it.

It is hard to resist the crispy texture of the tempura batter. Even those picky eaters will try a bite and will ask for more.

Quick Note: If you will do everything right, you shouldn’t worry about the oil excess and deep frying. If the oil will have the right temperature, the coat will not absorb that oil and you can make a serving of tempura broccoli that will have just 250kcal.

In the end, serve the tempura broccoli near your favorite Asian dipping sauce. A few ideas will be near soy sauce, sweet and sour sauce, or near spicy mayo if you’re looking to add more flavor (and calories) to the dish.

Read next to find what are the secrets behind perfect tempura broccoli and what you should pay attention to get a perfect crispy coat even if this is your first time when you’re making tempura veggies.

👩‍🍳 What You Will Find in This Post?

• What is the secret of crispy tempura broccoli?
• What to do to avoid softening the crispy butter tempura coat?
• What are the best substitutes for this recipe?
• How to check if the oil has the right temperature without a kitchen thermometer?

🥰 Why You Will Love This Recipe?

• You will get a crispy and crunchy texture that pairs well with the broccoli.
• It is a versatile recipe that you can combine with almost anything. You can serve the tempura broccoli as a side dish, appetizer, or even as a snack. Play with dipping sauces and you will have every time a different recipe.
• Low in calories. Yes, you read it right. If you will keep the optimal temperature of the oil, the broccoli will not absorb the oil and you will have less than 250kcal per serving.
• It is easy to make. If you will follow step-by-step, there is nothing complicated. Just be careful with the hot oil.

🥘 Ingredients and Substitutes

• Broccoli. You can use the same recipe and follow all the steps for any other vegetable or ingredient you want to cook in this technique.
• Flour. Use cake flour because the tempura broccoli becomes airier during cooking and you will get a crispier crust. This is a secret ingredient that many restaurants use. If you don’t have it at hand, you can replace it with plain flour.
• Egg. We are using the egg to bind the composition together. Also, it helps to stick the flour better to the broccoli. For an even crispier result, use a cold egg that is directly from the refrigerator.
• Oil. I used sunflower oil, but you can use any other oil you prefer to use for frying.
• Water. Use carbonated water, this way you will add more air to the composition. I also, recommend using water that has a low temperature to get an even crispier crust.
• Ice. Optionally, to reduce even more the temperature of the water.

👩‍🍳 Step-by-step Directions

Wash the broccoli well, dry it well and cut it into broccoli florets of roughly equal size.

Pour the cake flour into a bowl, and coat the broccoli florets in it until they will be covered with a thin layer of flour.

Put them in another plate to remove all the flour excess from them.

In another bowl, mix the sparkling water with an egg. Mix well until they are incorporated.

Gradually, add the flour in which we coated earlier the broccoli. Mix continuously.

Quick Note: There is nothing terrible if there will be some lumpy.

Quick Note: It is more important not to mix the composition for too long, so mix until you soften all the flour.

Now take a saucepan with a thick bottom, and pour 2-3″ of frying oil in it so that the broccoli florets will float in the oil when you put them in. Heat the oil to 350°F.

Pro tip: If you don’t have a thermometer, then test the temperature of the oil with a small drop of tempura butter. When the oil is at the optimal temperature, when the drop of tempura butter reaches the bottom of the pan, it should immediately rise to the surface. If the drop stays for a few seconds at the bottom of the pan, it means that the oil is not hot enough.

When the oil has reached the optimal temperature, soak some broccoli florets in tempura butter and then carefully place them in the hot oil. Avoid splashes to not burn yourself.

Pro Tip: Do not add too many broccoli florets at once because you will reduce the temperature of the oil and the crust will absorb the fat from the oil.

Cook the broccoli tempura for 2-3 minutes, depending on how well you want the broccoli to be cooked inside.

Remove the broccoli florets and arrange them on a splatter net to drain the excess oil. Before frying the next portion of broccoli, make sure the oil has returned to the optimal temperature.

Repeat the last steps until you have fried all the pieces of broccoli.

Pro Tip: Place the pieces of broccoli in a single layer on the splatter net so that they do not overlap, because if they stick together, they will lose their crispiness.

Serve the broccoli while they are still hot near an Asian sauce of your choice.

🍽️ Serving Suggestions

Tempura broccoli is served usually as a side dish or as a snack near a dipping sauce like soy sauce, or ponzu sauce, or near a simple mix of soy sauce and rice vinegar. For extra flavor, consider sprinkling some sesame seeds over them, or grated ginger or garlic. If you’re looking for a full Japanese experience, then serve the broccoli tempura near a plate of steamed rice or miso soup.

🏆 Expert Tips. What to Pay Attention To?

• Use sparkling water at the lowest possible temperature to get a crispier crust at the end. To make it easier for you to reduce the temperature of the water, consider adding some ice cubes to it. The secret of a crispy crust is to obtain a temperature difference as large as possible between tempura butter and oil. For this, use all the ingredients from the refrigerator.
• Don’t cook too many broccoli florets at once because you will lower the temperature of the oil and the coat of the broccoli will absorb too much oil in it.

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