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Festive Potato Mini Quiches with Broccoli Recipe

If you’re searching for a unique festive appetizer that’s both adorable and delicious, you’re going to love this Festive Potato Mini Quiches with Broccoli Recipe. These little bites bring together fluffy potato cups filled with a savory egg custard, topped with vibrant romanesco broccoli “pine trees” crowned by jewel-like pomegranate seeds. I’ve served these at holiday parties and family dinners, and people always ask for the recipe—they’re that charming and tasty. Keep reading and I’ll walk you through every step to make sure your batch turns out perfect!

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Why You’ll Love This Recipe

  • Festive Flair: The romanesco broccoli looks just like tiny Christmas trees topped with pomegranate “ornaments,” making these mini quiches a holiday showstopper.
  • Simple Ingredients: Using common ingredients like potatoes, eggs, and fresh goat cheese, this recipe is easy to pull together without searching for anything exotic.
  • Light and Satisfying: These quiches are fluffy and savory but not heavy, perfect when you want something tasty but not too filling.
  • Great for All Skill Levels: Whether you’re a kitchen novice or a seasoned cook, you’ll find the steps straightforward and rewarding.

Ingredients You’ll Need

Each ingredient plays a key role in this Festive Potato Mini Quiches with Broccoli Recipe, from the starchy potatoes providing structure to the romanesco broccoli adding crunch and festive style. When you shop, look for fresh, vibrant ingredients for the best flavor and color.

  • Potatoes: Choose starchy potatoes for a fluffier texture that holds together well when grated and baked.
  • Romanesco broccoli: Its unique pine tree shape makes it perfect for festive presentation and mild, nutty flavor.
  • Eggs: The binding agent giving the quiches their lovely, soft custard texture.
  • Flour: Helps hold the potato base together—chickpea flour works great for gluten-free versions.
  • Olive oil: Adds moisture and richness to keep the potato cups tender yet golden.
  • Pomegranate seeds: For that festive pop of color and sweet-tart contrast on top.
  • Fresh goat cheese: Adds creamy tanginess that melts beautifully at the end of baking.
  • Milk (optional): I add it sometimes for extra creaminess in the egg mixture, but it’s totally optional.
  • Salt and pepper: Essential seasonings to enhance every layer’s flavor.
Note: You’ll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Variations

I love how versatile this Festive Potato Mini Quiches with Broccoli Recipe is. Over the years, I’ve played with different cheese types and veggies to keep it fresh and exciting, so don’t hesitate to adapt it to what you love or have on hand.

  • Cheese Swap: I once tried feta instead of goat cheese for a saltier version that my family adored—feel free to experiment with your favorites!
  • Veggie Mix: If you don’t find romanesco broccoli, small broccoli florets or even asparagus tips work well as “trees.”
  • Gluten-Free: Chickpea flour is my go-to, and it adds a subtle nuttiness that’s delightful.
  • Vegan Version: You can make it vegan by swapping eggs with a chickpea flour batter and using vegan cheese alternatives.

How to Make Festive Potato Mini Quiches with Broccoli Recipe

Step 1: Prepare the Potato Cups

Start by peeling your starchy potatoes, then grate them finely using a cheese grater or mandolin with small holes—I love this step because it creates a tender, fluffy base. The key trick I learned is to use a clean kitchen towel to squeeze out as much moisture as possible from the grated potatoes. This helps the potato cups hold their shape during baking instead of becoming soggy. Then, mix the drained potato with flour, olive oil, salt, and pepper to create your potato batter. Press this mixture firmly into greased silicone or muffin trays to shape your mini cups. Bake these at 180°C (350°F) for 15 minutes until they start to set and take on a light golden color.

Step 2: Blanch the Romanesco Broccoli

While the potato cups bake, bring a pot of salted water to a rolling boil. Cut your romanesco broccoli into small pine tree–shaped florets—this is the fun part that makes these quiches so festive! Blanch the florets for about 2 minutes to soften them just enough but still keep their bright green color and a bit of crunch. Immediately plunge them into ice water to stop cooking—that little shock preserves their vivid hue and texture. Set these aside once cooled; they’ll become the charming “tops” of your quiches later.

Step 3: Prepare and Bake the Egg Custard Filling

Whisk together the eggs, optional milk (for creaminess), salt, and pepper until they’re frothy and well combined. Pour this mixture halfway into each pre-baked potato cup. This layering lets the potato base stay crisp while the egg custard cooks evenly on top. Place the filled trays back into the oven at 180°C (350°F) for another 15 minutes. Just before the quiches finish baking, sprinkle fresh goat cheese on top and let it melt in those last crucial 2 minutes. Goat cheese adds a dreamy tang and creaminess that balances the potatoes and eggs beautifully.

Step 4: Assemble the Festive “Pine Trees”

The final touch is what really makes these mini quiches unforgettable. Use a toothpick to skewer each romanesco floret, letting the pointed end poke through the bottom. Top the narrow tip with a pomegranate seed for that holiday sparkle—like a tiny ornament on a Christmas tree! Once the quiches cool for a couple of minutes so they’re easier to handle, carefully remove them from the muffin tray and stick the decorated romanesco trees right into the center of each quiche. It’s a whimsical presentation that’s sure to wow your guests.

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Pro Tips for Making Festive Potato Mini Quiches with Broccoli Recipe

  • Dry Those Potatoes Well: I’ve found that squeezing out every bit of moisture from the grated potatoes prevents sogginess and helps the cups stay crisp.
  • Don’t Overcook Broccoli: Blanching for 2 minutes keeps the broccoli tender-crisp—overdoing it will make your “trees” droopy.
  • Add Cheese Last Minute: Adding goat cheese just before baking ends ensures it melts perfectly without burning or drying out.
  • Gentle Removal: Let quiches cool just enough before removing from the tray to keep their shape intact.

How to Serve Festive Potato Mini Quiches with Broccoli Recipe

The image shows small food cups with three main layers. The bottom layer looks like a golden, crispy nest made of thin strands, slightly curved up around the edges. The middle layer is creamy white and smooth, sitting just inside the nest. On top, there is a bright green piece of Romanesco broccoli shaped like a small Christmas tree, with a small red topping placed right at its peak. One cup is closer to the front with a bite taken out, showing the layers inside clearly. These cups are on a white round plate with a red edge, placed on a white marbled surface with a folded red and white cloth nearby. The background is dark with green and red Christmas decorations. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Garnishes

I like to keep garnishes simple to highlight the natural beauty of the pomegranate-topped broccoli trees. Sometimes, an extra sprinkle of fresh chopped parsley or chives adds a lovely pop of green and an herby note that complements the goat cheese and potatoes perfectly.

Side Dishes

These mini quiches shine best alongside a bright winter salad, maybe some roasted cherry tomatoes or a tangy cranberry relish to add a contrasting zing. For holiday gatherings, I often pair them with warm soup or a smooth butternut squash puree for a cozy feast.

Creative Ways to Present

For a holiday party, I arrange the mini quiches on a large platter lined with fresh fir or pine sprigs to enhance the festive look. You can also place them in individual mini boxes or on a tiered serving stand for a charming buffet display that gets everyone excited to dig in!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I store leftover mini quiches in an airtight container in the refrigerator, ideally separated by parchment paper to keep them from sticking. They stay fresh for about 2–3 days, making them perfect for make-ahead holiday prep.

Freezing

I’ve frozen these quiches successfully by flash-freezing them on a tray first, then transferring to a freezer-safe bag. This way, they don’t stick together. When you want to serve, thaw overnight in the fridge and reheat gently.

Reheating

To reheat, I preheat the oven to 160°C (320°F) and warm the quiches for about 10 minutes. This method keeps the potato base crisp and the egg filling fluffy—microwaving tends to make them a bit soggy, so oven reheating is my go-to.

FAQs

  1. Can I use regular broccoli instead of romanesco for this recipe?

    Absolutely! While romanesco broccoli creates the perfect tree shape for presentation, regular broccoli florets work just fine. Just try to pick small, compact pieces for the best effect.

  2. What’s the best way to remove excess water from grated potatoes?

    After grating, place the potatoes in a clean kitchen towel or cheesecloth and squeeze firmly over the sink to release as much water as possible. Removing the liquid prevents soggy potato cups.

  3. Can I prepare these mini quiches ahead of time?

    Yes! You can make the potato cups and egg filling separately, then assemble and bake on the day of serving. Alternatively, fully bake them, cool, and refrigerate to reheat later with great results.

  4. Is there a gluten-free option for this recipe?

    Definitely—just swap the regular flour for chickpea flour. It works wonderfully and adds a bit of a nutty flavor that complements the potatoes.

Final Thoughts

This Festive Potato Mini Quiches with Broccoli Recipe is one of those dishes that feels like a warm holiday hug—rustic, charming, and packed with comforting flavors. I still remember the look on my family’s faces the first time I served these at Christmas dinner; it’s such a fun twist on traditional quiches and a real conversation starter. I can’t recommend enough that you try making these adorable potato cups topped with their little “pine trees” this season. Once you do, I bet you’ll keep coming back to this recipe for every festive occasion!

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Festive Potato Mini Quiches with Broccoli Recipe

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star 4.8 from 73 reviews
  • Author: Nora
  • Prep Time: 20 minutes
  • Cook Time: 30 minutes
  • Total Time: 50 minutes
  • Yield: 12 mini quiches
  • Category: Appetizer
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: European
  • Diet: Gluten Free

Description

These festive Christmas Tree Mini Quiches are a delightful and healthy appetizer perfect for holiday gatherings. Made with grated potato cups filled with a creamy egg mixture, topped with fresh goat cheese, and decorated with vibrant Romanesco broccoli ‘pine trees’ adorned with pomegranate seeds, they offer a fun and elegant way to impress your guests while enjoying comforting flavors.


Ingredients

Potato Cups

  • 700 grams (1.5 lb) peeled starchy potato
  • 3 tablespoons flour (use chickpea flour for gluten-free version)
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • Salt and pepper, to taste

Filling

  • 6 eggs
  • 2 tablespoons milk (optional)
  • Salt and pepper, to taste
  • 100 grams (3.5 oz) fresh goat cheese

Decoration

  • 1 Romanesco broccoli, cut into small florets
  • Few pomegranate seeds


Instructions

  1. Prepare Potato Cups: Peel and grate the potatoes using a fine hole mandolin or cheese grater. Place the grated potato in a clean towel and squeeze out all the excess juice. Transfer to a bowl, then add the flour, olive oil, salt, and pepper. Mix thoroughly to combine.
  2. Form and Bake Cups: Grease or use a silicone muffin tray. Press the potato mixture firmly into the muffin wells to form small cups. Bake at 180°C (350°F) for 15 minutes until the cups start to firm up but are not fully cooked.
  3. Cook Romanesco Broccoli: While the cups bake, bring a pot of salted water to a boil. Add the Romanesco florets and cook for about 2 minutes until just tender. Immediately transfer them to ice water to preserve their bright green color. Drain and set aside.
  4. Prepare Egg Filling: In a bowl, whisk together the eggs, milk (if using), salt, and pepper until well combined.
  5. Fill and Continue Baking: Remove the partially baked potato cups from the oven and fill each halfway with the egg mixture. Return to the oven and bake for another 15 minutes at 180°C (350°F).
  6. Add Goat Cheese: Two minutes before the baking time finishes, sprinkle shredded goat cheese on top of each quiche to allow it to melt gently.
  7. Assemble Decoration: After cooking, let the quiches cool for 2 minutes. Carefully remove them from the muffin tray. Take each Romanesco floret, insert a toothpick into the base so the tip emerges from the top, then top with a pomegranate seed to create a festive pine tree decoration.
  8. Finish and Serve: Place the Romanesco pine trees on top of the mini quiches and serve immediately for a charming and delicious holiday appetizer.

Notes

  • This recipe makes 12 mini quiches, perfect as appetizers for holiday parties.
  • Using chickpea flour makes the potato cups gluten-free.
  • Pressing out excess moisture from potatoes is crucial to achieve crispy crusts.
  • Romanesco broccoli adds both color and a unique pine tree shape for festive presentation.
  • For a creamier texture, you can add 2 tablespoons milk to the egg mixture, but it is optional.
  • These mini quiches are best served warm but can be prepared ahead and reheated gently.

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 mini quiche
  • Calories: 135 kcal
  • Sugar: 1.2 g
  • Sodium: 120 mg
  • Fat: 7 g
  • Saturated Fat: 3 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 3.5 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 12 g
  • Fiber: 2 g
  • Protein: 6 g
  • Cholesterol: 140 mg

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