This Teriyaki Stir Fry with Broccoli and Chickpeas is so easy to make and you might be surprised at how much your child will love it! It’s great for a vegan family dinner!
Does your child like broccoli? I feel like broccoli is the quintessential vegetable that you think of when you think of something kids don’t like. But, thankfully I have found quite the opposite! I asked my three year old what kind of recipe I should make for the blog and he said, “Something with broccoli and chickpeas.” so I came up with this Teriyaki Stir Fry and he at so much! He even asked for more broccoli
I make teriyaki stir frys a lot because they’re so easy to make and great for when you have a bunch of vegetables that need to be used up. I always have the ingredients on hand for my go-to stir fry sauce and the kids love it.
Teriyaki Stir Fry Recipe Ingredients
Broccoli – You can use fresh or frozen. I usually have fresh broccoli on hand but if you don’t, frozen is great too.
Chickpeas – I just used one can of pre-cooked chickpeas. You could also use another bean you like, tofu or tempeh. I like to use canned beans because they help make this recipe super quick to make.
Teriyaki Sauce – To make this recipe even easier you could always use a good quality store-bought teriyaki sauce but it’s also so easy to make at home! My teriyaki sauce recipe just has a few ingredients, including: toasted sesame oil, tamari, maple syrup, water, ginger, garlic and cornstarch.
How To Make Teriyaki Stir Fry
This recipe is so easy to make! There are just a few simple steps:
Start by sautéing the broccoli in a little bit of oil with some salt. You then add in a little bit of water to help the broccoli steam.
To make the teriyaki sauce al you do is add all the sauce ingredients to a jar and mix until completely combined.
Then, add the sauce mixture and the chickpeas to the broccoli and cook until sauce thickens and will coat the back of a spoon.
Serve broccoli and chickpea mixture over rice, or your favorite grain and enjoy!
Why Kids Will Love This Teriyaki Stir Fry
I obviously can’t say 100% that your children will like this meal, but if you’re trying to get them to eat more veggies, this stir fry is a good way to do that!
The broccoli is cooked until it’s soft so it’s easy for little teeth to eat, unlike raw broccoli.
The teriyaki sauce is sweet and flavorful, which I’m pretty sure is my son’s favorite thing about it
I serve it over rice, which is usually a favorite of all kids! You could also serve it over cauliflower rice, my son can’t even tell the difference.
My son loves chickpeas so he gets excited about eating anything with chickpeas in it!
This Teriyaki Stir Fry with Broccoli and Chickpeas is so versatile. You can add in any veggies you have that your children enjoy. If you child doesn’t like chickpeas, you could easily substitute tofu or chicken. I also love to use this recipe as a meal prep lunch for my husband and I. I hope you and your family enjoys this!
This Teriyaki Stir Fry with Broccoli and Chickpeas is so easy to make and always a hit with my kids!
Ingredients
2 teaspoons olive oil 6 cups broccoli florets 1/4 teaspoon salt 1/3 cup water 1 (15 oz) can chickpeas, drained and rinsed
White rice or cauliflower rice for serving with, optional Teriyaki Sauce: 1/3 cup water 1/3 cup tamari, I like to use low sodium 1/4 cup pure maple syrup 1/4 cup toasted sesame oil 1 clove garlic, finely grated 1 1/2 teaspoons finely grated ginger 1 1/2 teaspoons arrowroot starch 1 teaspoon toasted sesame seeds
Instructions
Heat a large skillet over medium heat and add olive oil, broccoli and salt. Cook for a minute and then pour in water, cover and let steam until water has cooked off and broccoli is tender, about 7 minutes.
Make the teriyaki sauce while the broccoli is cooking. Add all sauce ingredients to a jar and mix until combined.
Add the chickpeas in with the broccoli and pour the sauce over. Cook until sauce has thickened, 5-7 minutes. Serve stir fry over rice and enjoy.
Add a taste of fall to your mornings with these sweet and flavorful Caramelized Apple Smoothies. You can make a batch of just the caramelized apples to have on hand for easy, fall-inspired breakfasts all season long. Make them extra fancy with a drizzle of caramel sauce!
The leaves are finally starting to turn beautiful colors and the morning air has been cool and crisp. We haven’t been apple picking yet, but it definitely feels like the season for it. Morning meals have shifted from cold cereal to warm oatmeal, but it’s never too cold for smoothies. These Caramelized Apple Smoothies are the perfect festive way to start your morning. They’re packed with sweet apple flavor and thickened with protein packed greek yogurt. You’ll love these banana free smoothies!
Why You’ll Love These Caramelized Apple Smoothies!
Fun and festive – We drink smoothies all year round, but it’s nice to have a fall-flavored smoothie this time of year. Apples and cinnamon are perfect for evoking that warm feeling that comes along with autumn.
Easy to make – These smoothies come together pretty quickly. The caramelizing of the apples takes about 5 minutes, but once done, you simply toss all the ingredients into the blender. You can also make a larger batch of caramelized apples so they’re prepped and ready to go into your smoothie first thing in the morning.
Great for breakfast – A delicious caramelized apple smoothie on a crisp fall morning is the perfect way to start the day. You can also experiment with adding protein powder, or other smoothie boosters, if you like.
Caramelized Apple Smoothie Recipe Ingredients
Apples – You can use any kind of apples you like for this smoothie recipe. We like Honeycrisp, and usually have them on hand. Granny Smith is a great option, too.
Applesauce – Applesauce is a great addition to these caramelized apple smoothies, as it reinforces the apple flavor, while helping to bulk the smoothie up.
Greek Yogurt – Plain, non-fat Greek yogurt is great for adding protein and thickness to the smoothie. You can also use regular yogurt, dairy-free yogurt or a banana, if you prefer.
Milk – You can use any kind of milk you like for these smoothies. I used a protein-packed soymilk, because that is what I prefer, but dairy milk also works well.
Flax Seed – I like to add some ground flax seed for its healthy fats, including omega-3s. Flax also promotes heart health and protects against certain cancers. You are welcome to leave the flax out.
Maple Syrup – If you want to add some extra sweetener, pure maple syrup or honey are a great options.
Caramel Sauce – The caramel sauce is totally optional, but it makes these apple smoothies feel extra special! I like to drizzle it inside the glass before pouring the smoothie in, as well as on top of the smoothie.
How To Make Fall Apple Smoothies
Make the caramelized apples. Peel and dice apple into small, bite-size pieces. You can make them whatever size you like, but I prefer to dice them pretty small so they have time to cook a little bit while caramelizing.
Heat a large pan over medium heat and add butter, apples, cinnamon and a pinch of salt. Mix together and cook until butter is completely melted. Next, add the coconut sugar and a splash of water (about 1 tablespoon). Mix everything together until apples are completely coated with sugar mixture. Allow to simmer for about 5 minutes, stirring once or twice, until sauce has thickened. Turn heat off and let apples cool for just a few minutes.
Add the apples to a blender. Next, add in the milk, yogurt, applesauce, cinnamon and flax meal. If you prefer a colder smoothie, you can add a handful of ice cubes. Blend on high until smooth, or desired texture is reached. Pour smoothie into a glass and enjoy!
Recipe Frequently Asked Questions
This recipe is already gluten free.
Make these smoothies vegan by using dairy free yogurt and milk.
Can these apple smoothies be prepped ahead of time? I like to prepare a big batch of the caramelized apples ahead of time, so I can quickly throw them in the blender each morning with the other ingredients. I would not suggest prepping the entire smoothie ahead of time.
How long do leftovers last? Smoothies don’t make for great leftovers, but if stored in the refrigerator, they might last a couple of hours.
How many smoothies does this recipe make? This recipe makes one large smoothie or two smaller smoothies.
What kind of apples should be used? You can use any kind of apple you like. I used a Honeycrisp, but for a more tart flavor, consider using a Granny Smith.
Have a question I didn’t answer? Ask me in the comment section below and I will get back to you ASAP.
Add a taste of fall to your mornings, with these sweet and flavorful Caramelized Apple Smoothies. You can make a batch of the caramelized apples to have on hand for easy, fall inspired, breakfasts all season long. Make them extra fancy with a drizzle of caramel sauce!
Ingredients
1/2 cup milk, regular or dairy free
1/2 cup plain non-fat Greek yogurt
1/3 cup applesauce
1/4 teaspoon cinnamon, or more if desired
1 tablespoon ground flax meal or protein powder of choice, optional*
Caramelized Apples
1 extra large apple, peeled and diced into small pieces (about 2 cups)
1 tablespoon butter, regular or dairy free
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 tablespoon coconut sugar, or brown sugar
1 1/2 tablespoons water
Instructions
Make the caramelized apples. Peel and dice apple into small, bite-size pieces. You can make them whatever size you like, but I prefer to dice them pretty small so they have time to cook a little bit while caramelizing.
Heat a large pan over medium heat and add butter, apples, cinnamon and a pinch of salt. Mix together and cook until butter is completely melted. Next, add the coconut sugar and a splash of water (about 1 tablespoon). Mix everything together until apples are completely coated with sugar mixture. Allow to simmer for about 5 minutes, stirring once or twice, until sauce has thickened. Turn heat off and let apples cool for just a few minutes.
Add the apples to a blender. Next, add in the milk, yogurt, applesauce, cinnamon and flax meal. If you prefer a colder smoothie, you can add a handful of ice cubes. Blend on high until smooth, or desired texture is reached. Pour smoothie into a glass and enjoy!
Notes
Make these smoothies special by drizzling some caramel sauce into the cup before adding in the smoothie!