Sweet and Spicy Roasted Broccolini
Easy Oven Roasted Broccolini Recipe – Lightly sweet and perfectly spicy roasted baby broccoli is a flavorful side dish that’s a snap to prepare in under 20 minutes.
Why We Love This Easy Roasted Broccolini Recipe
If you have ever been at the grocery store and picked up a bundle of fresh broccolini, you might have asked yourself… Where is the rest of it?
Broccolini is not a different plant than broccoli but is actually “just” baby broccoli. The thin stalk and smaller, individual florets are a result of them being harvested early in growth. These stalks are more tender and sweeter than full-grown broccoli heads.
Even if you have folks in the family that typically aren’t big fans of hearty green veggies, they are sure to be won over immediately by how – well, adorable? – broccolini is. In fact, I practically guarantee that this quick and easy veggie side dish will get even the pickiest eaters to try their broccoli!
In this easy roasted broccolini recipe we cook the veg in a high-heat oven for only 10 minutes, then brush with a simple sweet chili sauce. The vibrant yet familiar flavors make Sweet and Spicy Roasted Broccolini perfect to pair with grilled proteins, or as the green dish on the table with lavish holiday meals!
5 Ingredients You Need
- Broccolini – wash and gently pat dry
- Asian sweet chili sauce – lightly spicy with tangy, sweet, and bold flavor
- Sesame oil – or other high-heat oil for roasting like olive oil, avocado oil or canola oil
- Garlic powder – mellows the spice and sweetness with a savory and earthy taste
- Salt – a pinch to bring the dish together
Plus, you’ll also need a nonstick cooking spray for the baking dish.
How to Make Sweet and Spicy Roasted Broccolini
- Preheat the oven and lightly spray a baking sheet with nonstick cooking spray.
- Trim the rough ends of the broccolini stems just a little. Cut the largest broccolini stems in half lengthwise to match the smaller pieces. Each piece should be the size of about 2-3 bites.
- Lay the broccolini out in a single layer on the baking sheet and sprinkle lightly with salt.
- Roast the veggies in the oven for 10 minutes, just until they are lightly browned around the edges.
- Meanwhile, whisk together the sweet chili sauce, sesame oil, and garlic powder in a small bowl.
- As soon as the tender broccolini comes out of the oven, brush the warm pieces with the sweet chili glaze.
Pro Tip: Don’t brush on the glaze before roasting. The moisture will make the broccolini soggy!
Get the Complete (Printable!) Spicy and Sweet Roasted Broccolini Recipe Below. Enjoy!
Serving Suggestions
This nutritious broccolini recipe happens to be gluten-free, vegan, and low carb! So it’s great to enjoy as part of a lighter meal, or to lighten up an otherwise comfort food-heavy dinner.
The sweet chili sauce makes the roasted broccolini pair great with Asian-inspired dishes, like:
- Chinese Chicken with Garlic Sauce
- (Better Than) Panda Express Orange Chicken
- Instant Pot Asian Chicken Thighs
- Black Pepper Chicken Stir Fry.
- Asian Beef Ribs
I also love the serve this fiery, flavorful side to add some pizzaz to an otherwise simple meal… It goes great with Grilled Salmon and Grilled Chicken, Air Fryer Whole Chicken, and Smoked Chicken.
For the holidays, pair roasted broccolini with Asian Spiced Thanksgiving Turkey or enjoy as a tantalizing side dish with a Deep Fried Turkey!
Frequently Asked Questions
The entire veggie is edible! Stem, leaves, florets – every part of a broccolini stalk is tender and delicious.
Yes, it does! Because the broccolini is smaller than the fully developed broccoli, the flavor tends to be lighter and not quite so earthy/grassy. Instead it has a slightly sweet taste that is great to highly with the spicy Asian sweet chili sauce.
There is no need to blanch the broccolini before cooking. It’s already wonderfully tender and ready to roast from raw!
Like most green veggies, broccolini is best to enjoy soon after roasting.
The dish will keep well in the fridge for up to 4 or 5 days, but the stalks and florets will likely be soft or downright soggy. So I suggest enjoying leftovers cold in salads, or briefly reheat in a skillet on the stovetop or the air fryer.
Looking for More Healthy Side Dish Recipes? Be Sure to Also Try:
- Air Fryer Asparagus
- Baked Green Beans Almondine
- Perfect Crispy Brussels Sprouts
- Roasted Vegetable Medley
- Zesty Roasted Okra
- Candied Carrots with Maple Syrup
- Broccoli Salad with Bacon
Get the Complete (Printable!) Spicy and Sweet Roasted Broccolini Recipe Below. Enjoy!
Sweet and Spicy Roasted Broccolini Recipe + VIDEO
Ingredients
- 1 bunch broccolini about ¾ pound
- ¼ cup Asian sweet chili sauce
- 2 teaspoons sesame oil
- ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 pinch salt
- Cooking spray
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 425°F. Set out a large rimmed baking sheet. Then spray the baking sheet with nonstick cooking spray.
- Trim the rough ends of the broccolini stems just a little. Cut the largest broccolini stems in half lengthwise to match the smaller pieces.
- Lay the broccolini out in a single layer on the baking sheet and sprinkle lightly with salt.
- Roast in the oven for 10 minutes.
- Meanwhile, set out a small bowl. Whisk together the sweet chili sauce, sesame oil, and garlic powder.
- Once the roasted broccolini comes out of the oven, brush the pieces with sweet chili glaze. Serve warm.
A simple prep for a quick side dish that will please your taste buds and inspire your picky eaters to enjoy these healthy greens. Flavor packed deliciousness.
This is a fantastic recipe and I hope my family loves it just as much as I do. Thank you so much for sharing
This is now one of my favorite recipes! I love Sweet chili sauce but man, was this good! I will be making this again for our thanksgiving meal. Thanks for posting!
Ok, these are so good!!! I love broccoli, but when you add those flavors to it, it is delicious!! I could eat this with every meal!!
So easy and delicious! I think it would be tasty with just plain broccoli, so I’m going to try that next.