Crispy Garlic Parmesan Sugar Snap Peas Recipe

Sizzling Crispy Garlic Parmesan Sugar Snap Peas Recipe

Tender sugar snap peas with crispy garlic parmesan coating bring a delightful twist to your vegetable side dish.

These vibrant green pods turn into an irresistible treat that elevates any meal with minimal effort.

Crunchy and packed with flavor, the recipe combines simple ingredients for maximum impact.

Fresh snap peas get tossed in a savory blend of grated parmesan and roasted garlic.

The result is a mouthwatering vegetable side that’s both nutritious and incredibly delicious.

Seasoned with just the right amount of salt and pepper, these snap peas will have everyone asking for seconds.

Serve them alongside grilled meats or as a standalone snack that’s sure to impress.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 5 minutes

Cook Time: 5 minutes

Total Time: 10 minutes

Calories: 116 kcal

Servings: 4

What Goes into the Garlic Parmesan Sugar Snap Peas Recipe

For Fresh Produce:
  • Sugar Snap Peas: Crunchy green pods with sweet flavor, choose bright green and firm peas without blemishes.
For Seasoning and Flavor Enhancers:
  • Garlic: Aromatic ingredient that adds depth and warmth, select fresh bulbs with no sprouting.
  • Salt: Enhances overall taste, use fine sea salt for even distribution.
  • Black Pepper: Adds subtle heat and complexity, freshly ground provides best flavor.
For Creamy and Binding Ingredients:
  • Butter: Creates rich base and helps vegetables cook evenly, use unsalted for better control of saltiness.
  • Parmesan Cheese: Provides nutty, salty finish, choose freshly grated for optimal melting and flavor.
Optional Brightening Ingredients:
  • Lemon Juice: Adds zingy freshness and balances richness, use fresh squeeze for best taste.
  • Fresh Parsley: Brings color and herbaceous note, select bright green leaves with no wilting.

Tools You’ll Want for Garlic Parmesan Sugar Snap Peas

  • Large skillet: Essential for sautéing peas with even heat distribution.
  • Knife: Perfect for trimming snap pea ends cleanly.
  • Cutting board: Provides stable surface for preparing vegetables.
  • Paper towels: Helps dry snap peas after rinsing.
  • Wooden spoon or spatula: Great for stirring peas while cooking.
  • Measuring spoons: Ensures accurate salt and pepper seasoning.
  • Cheese grater (optional): Useful if grating fresh parmesan.
  • Serving dish: Presents the finished garlic parmesan snap peas beautifully.

Serving Garlic Parmesan Sugar Snap Peas the Tasty Way

  • Fresh Side Dish Delight: Pair these zesty garlic Parmesan sugar snap peas with grilled chicken or roasted fish for a complete meal that bursts with flavor.
  • Elegant Appetizer Spread: Arrange the snap peas on a beautiful platter as a sophisticated starter during dinner parties, letting guests enjoy the vibrant green vegetables with their crisp texture.
  • Weekend Brunch Companion: Serve alongside scrambled eggs, quiche, or morning frittatas to add a nutritious and delicious green element that complements breakfast protein dishes.
  • Quick Picnic Star: Pack these snap peas in a portable container for outdoor meals, keeping them at room temperature for a tasty and convenient vegetable side that travels well.

Storing Garlic Parmesan Sugar Snap Peas + Future Meals

  • Meal Planning & Storage Advice
  • Refrigeration Strategy: Store leftover snap peas in an airtight container for up to 3 days. Keep them in the coldest section of your refrigerator to maintain crispness and flavor.
  • Quick Meal Companion: These garlic Parmesan snap peas pair beautifully with grilled chicken, roasted salmon, or as a vibrant side dish for weeknight dinners. They complement protein-rich main courses perfectly.
  • Reheating Technique: Gently warm the snap peas in a skillet over medium-low heat for 1-2 minutes. Add a tiny splash of butter to refresh their texture and prevent drying out. Avoid microwave reheating to maintain their crisp texture.
  • Advance Preparation: Wash and trim snap peas up to 24 hours before cooking. Store them in a sealed container with a slightly damp paper towel to keep them fresh and crisp until you're ready to cook.

How to Make Garlic Parmesan Sugar Snap Peas Step by Step

  • Prepare Snap Peas

Wash and gently trim the sugar snap peas, ensuring they are clean and ready for cooking. Carefully dry them with a soft towel to remove excess moisture.

  • Sauté Garlic

Heat a large skillet and melt butter over medium heat. Add minced garlic and cook quickly, releasing its aromatic flavor for about 30 seconds until it becomes wonderfully fragrant.

  • Cook Vegetables

Introduce snap peas to the skillet, seasoning with salt and pepper. Stir and cook for 3-4 minutes, watching them transform into a vibrant green color while maintaining a delightful crisp texture.

  • Finish and Garnish

Take the skillet off the heat and generously sprinkle Parmesan cheese over the peas. Gently toss to ensure every pea gets coated with the rich, savory cheese. Optional: Add a splash of fresh lemon juice and scatter chopped parsley on top for an extra burst of flavor. Serve immediately while warm and enjoy the delicious combination of garlic, cheese, and tender snap peas.

Tips and Fun Twists for Garlic Parmesan Sugar Snap Peas

  • Crisp Texture Secret: Pat snap peas completely dry before cooking to ensure they sauté instead of steam, creating a perfect tender-crisp texture.
  • Quick Cooking Hack: Watch the garlic closely when sautéing to prevent burning, which can make the dish taste bitter.
  • Low-Carb Friendly Option: Replace butter with olive oil for a lighter version and use a high-quality Parmesan to maintain rich flavor.
  • Herb Twist Variation: Experiment with different fresh herbs like basil or thyme instead of parsley to create unique flavor profiles.
  • Dairy-Free Adaptation: Substitute Parmesan with nutritional yeast for a vegan-friendly version that still delivers a cheesy, nutty taste.
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Crispy Garlic Parmesan Sugar Snap Peas Recipe

Crispy Garlic Parmesan Sugar Snap Peas Recipe


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4.8 from 39 reviews

  • Total Time: 10 minutes
  • Yield: 5 1x

Description

Garlic parmesan sugar snap peas create a delightful side dish that elevates simple vegetables with rich, savory flavors. Crisp snap peas tossed in garlic and parmesan cheese offer a quick and elegant complement to many main courses.


Ingredients

Scale
  • 12 oz (340 g) sugar snap peas, fresh, trimmed
  • ⅓ cups Parmesan cheese, grated
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 tbsps unsalted butter (or olive oil for dairy-free)
  • 1 tbsp lemon juice (optional)
  • ¼ tsp salt
  • ¼ tsp black pepper
  • parsley, fresh, chopped (for garnish)

Instructions

  1. Prep Peas: Rinse sugar snap peas under cool water, trimming tough ends with kitchen scissors, then pat completely dry to ensure crisp texture.
  2. Create Flavor Base: Melt butter in a large skillet over medium heat, quickly introducing minced garlic and stirring to release aromatic essence without burning.
  3. Sauté and Season: Add prepared sugar snap peas to the skillet, generously seasoning with salt and pepper, and sauté while stirring intermittently to develop vibrant green color and tender-crisp consistency.
  4. Finish and Garnish: Remove from heat, sprinkle freshly grated Parmesan cheese over hot peas, toss gently, then optionally squeeze fresh lemon juice and garnish with finely chopped parsley.
  5. Serve: Transfer to a serving dish and present warm for optimal flavor and texture.

Notes

  • Prevent Overcooking: Watch snap peas closely during sautéing, aiming for bright green color and crisp texture – overcooking turns them mushy and dull.
  • Moisture Management: Thoroughly dry peas before cooking to prevent steaming instead of achieving a golden sauté, ensuring maximum flavor development and crisp exterior.
  • Cheese Melting Technique: Sprinkle Parmesan off direct heat to prevent cheese burning, creating smooth melting and preventing bitter flavor development.
  • Flavor Customization: Experiment with additional herbs like thyme or red pepper flakes for personalized taste profile, transforming basic recipe into unique culinary experience.
  • Prep Time: 5 minutes
  • Cook Time: 5 minutes
  • Category: Snacks, Appetizer
  • Method: Sautéing
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 5
  • Calories: 136
  • Sugar: 2 g
  • Sodium: 125 mg
  • Fat: 9 g
  • Saturated Fat: 5 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 8 g
  • Fiber: 3 g
  • Protein: 6 g
  • Cholesterol: 20 mg
William Hawkins

William Hawkins

Founder & Culinary Director

Expertise

  • Modern American and Southern Cuisine
  • Farm-to-Table Practices
  • Restaurant Concept Development
  • Culinary Education and Mentorship​

Education

Sullivan University, Louisville, KY

  • Degree: Associate of Science in Culinary Arts
  • Focus: Focused on mastering culinary methods and food science, immersive externships, hands‑on training in industry‑standard kitchen labs, and equipping graduates for roles in restaurant operations.

William Hawkins isn’t just a chef, he’s a storyteller through food. From his hometown of Louisville, KY, he’s spent years refining his craft, turning local ingredients into something extraordinary. 

With classical training from Sullivan University and a career marked by innovation, mentorship, and Southern soul, William approaches every recipe with purpose. His kitchen is where old techniques meet fresh ideas, and where comfort food gets a thoughtful, modern twist. 

When he’s not building dishes from the ground up, he’s out gathering inspiration from nature, markets, and the stories people share around the table.

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