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Okay, mama, listen up! Are you tired of playing “find the veggie” with your little ones? I totally get it. As a home cook who loves creating dishes that are *actually* good for us but *also* taste amazing, I’ve spent years in the kitchen trying to crack the code for picky eaters. And guess what? I think I’ve found the golden ticket: Broccoli Cheese Tots! Seriously, these little bites are a game-changer. They’re basically mini, baked tater tots, but packed with the goodness of broccoli AND melty cheese. It’s the ultimate healthy toddler snack that even the squirmiest eaters will gobble right up. You know how I love to tell a story with my food via Unfold Recipes? Well, this recipe is born from that exact desire – making wholesome food fun and irresistible.
- Why You'll Love These Broccoli Cheese Tots
- Broccoli Cheese Tots: Ingredients You'll Need
- Crafting Perfect Broccoli Cheese Tots: Step-by-Step
- Tips for Baking Your Broccoli Cheese Tots
- Making Broccoli Cheese Tots Ahead and Freezing
- Ingredient Spotlight: Broccoli's Role in Your Tots
- Variations for Your Broccoli Cheese Tots
- Serving and Storing Your Broccoli Cheese Tots
- Frequently Asked Questions about Broccoli Cheese Tots
- Broccoli Cheese Tots: Nutritional Insights
- Share Your Broccoli Cheese Tots Creations!
Why You’ll Love These Broccoli Cheese Tots
Honestly, these little broccoli cheese tots are just the best for so many reasons:
- Super Easy to Make: Seriously, just chop, mix, and shape. It’s that simple!
- Kid-Approved Flavor: That cheesy, savory goodness? It’s a guaranteed win.
- Packed with Veggies: You get all those good-for-you broccoli benefits in a fun, bite-sized package.
- Versatile & Fun: Perfect for snacks, appetizers, or even as a side dish.
Broccoli Cheese Tots: Ingredients You’ll Need
Alright, let’s get down to what you’ll need to wrangle these little green guys into tot form! It’s super straightforward, I promise. For about 20 of these yummy Broccoli Cheese Tots, you’ll want:
- 2 cups of fresh broccoli florets, chopped up really, really fine. Like, super small!
- 1 cup of shredded cheddar cheese – sharp or mild, whatever your crew likes best.
- 1/2 cup of panko breadcrumbs – this is key for that perfectly crispy coating.
- 1/4 cup of grated Parmesan cheese. Adds a little salty punch!
- 1 large egg, all beaten up. This is our binder!
- 1/4 teaspoon of garlic powder. Just a whisper of flavor!
- 1/4 teaspoon of salt. Or a little more if you like!
- 1/8 teaspoon of black pepper. Just a pinch!
Crafting Perfect Broccoli Cheese Tots: Step-by-Step
Okay, now for the fun part – actually making these little guys! It’s really not complicated at all, I promise. Here’s exactly how I whip them up every time:
- First things first, let’s get our oven nice and toasty. Crank it up to 400°F (200°C). Then, grab a baking sheet and line it with some parchment paper. This makes cleanup a breeze, trust me!
- Now, grab a medium-sized bowl. Toss in all your finely chopped broccoli florets (make sure they’re bite-sized!), the shredded cheddar cheese, those panko breadcrumbs, the grated Parmesan, your beaten egg, that little bit of garlic powder, salt, and pepper.
- Give it all a good mix. I like to use my hands for this part – it just feels easier to really get everything combined and make sure those flavors are mingling. You want the mixture to be moist enough to hold its shape when you squeeze it, kind of like a really thick dough.
- Time to get creative! Start shaping the mixture into little tot shapes. I aim for about an inch in diameter. Roll them between your palms, just like you would with play-doh. If you’re planning to freeze some for later (which you totally should!), this is the perfect time. Just lay them out on the baking sheet, making sure they aren’t touching, and pop them in the freezer until they’re firm. Then you can bag ‘em up for future snack emergencies!
- Once they’re all shaped (whether for baking now or freezing for later), place them onto that parchment-lined baking sheet.
- Bake them for about 15 to 20 minutes. You’re looking for them to be golden brown and heated all the way through. They’ll smell amazing!
- Serve them up warm and watch them disappear!
Tips for Baking Your Broccoli Cheese Tots
Okay, so how do we get these Broccoli Cheese Tots extra special? A couple of little tricks up my sleeve! For that perfect golden crunch, try giving them a light mist of cooking spray before they go into the oven. It really helps get them beautifully crisp on the outside. Also, make sure they have a little space on the baking sheet – don’t crowd them! This helps the hot air circulate so they bake up evenly and get that lovely toasted look all around.
Making Broccoli Cheese Tots Ahead and Freezing
You know, one of my absolute favorite things about these Broccoli Cheese Tots is how darn perfect they are for making ahead. Life gets busy, right? So, if you’ve got a little extra time one day, just whip up a double batch! Shape all your little tot treasures, lay them out on a baking sheet – make sure they aren’t touching so they don’t freeze into one giant broccoli blob – and pop that sheet right into the freezer. Once they’re firm, just transfer them to a freezer-safe bag or container. When snack time (or dinner time!) rolls around, you can bake them straight from frozen. It’ll probably take just a few extra minutes, maybe 20-25 total, until they’re golden and warm all the way through. Super handy!
Ingredient Spotlight: Broccoli’s Role in Your Tots
Let’s talk broccoli, because it’s the star here and it’s doing some heavy lifting in the nutrition department. These little Broccoli Cheese Tots are not just fun to eat; they’re actually a fantastic way to sneak in those essential vitamins and fiber that kids need. Broccoli is packed with Vitamin C and K, plus it’s a good source of fiber, which is always a win when you’re trying to get more veggies into tiny tummies. It totally makes them a genuinely veggie-packed snack you can feel good about serving!
Variations for Your Broccoli Cheese Tots
You know, one of the best things about these little Broccoli Cheese Tots is how easy they are to play with! If your crew loves cheese, try swapping out some of the cheddar for Monterey Jack or even a little sharp Gruyere – oh my, the flavor is divine! If you want to sneak in even *more* goodness, finely chop up some bell pepper or grate a carrot super fine and mix it in with the broccoli. A pinch of onion powder or a dash of smoked paprika can also add a fun new twist. Don’t be afraid to get creative; these tots are super forgiving!
Serving and Storing Your Broccoli Cheese Tots
These yummy Broccoli Cheese Tots are fantastic just as they are, but they’re also amazing with a little dip! Ketchup is always a hit, but ranch or even a light marinara sauce are super tasty too. If you happen to have any leftover tots (which is rare in my house!), just pop them in an airtight container in the fridge. They should stay good for about 3 days. To reheat, pop them back on a baking sheet at 350°F for a few minutes until they’re warm and crispy again – no microwave mushiness here!
Frequently Asked Questions about Broccoli Cheese Tots
Okay, so you’ve got questions, and I’ve got answers! People always ask me about making these Broccoli Cheese Tots perfect. Here are some of the most common ones:
How do I get my broccoli super fine for these tots?
Chop, chop, chop! Seriously, the best way to get that really fine texture for your broccoli is to use a good sharp knife and just dice it up as small as you possibly can. You want tiny little pieces, almost like a coarse meal. Some people have success using a food processor, but you have to be careful not to turn it into broccoli mush – just give it a few quick pulses! This super-fine chop is key for making sure the veggie tots recipe holds together properly.
Can I make these Broccoli Cheese Tots gluten-free?
Oh, absolutely! If you need a gluten-free version, just swap out the panko breadcrumbs for your favorite gluten-free breadcrumbs or even some finely ground almond flour. Almond flour will give it a slightly different texture, maybe a little richer, but it works wonderfully. Just make sure to check your other ingredients, like Parmesan cheese, to ensure they’re certified gluten-free if that’s a concern for anyone in your family.
Can I bake these in an air fryer?
Yes, you totally can! Air fryers are brilliant for making things extra crispy. You’ll want to preheat your air fryer to about 375°F (190°C). Then, arrange the Broccoli Cheese Tots in a single layer in the basket – don’t overcrowd it! You might need to cook them in batches. They usually take around 10-12 minutes, flipping them halfway through, until they’re golden and heated through. They get wonderfully crisp this way!
Are Broccoli Cheese Tots a low carb option?
Compared to regular tater tots, these Broccoli Cheese Tots are definitely lower in carbs because the base is broccoli instead of potato! They’re a great way to enjoy a tot-like snack without all those starchy carbs. If you’re really focusing on keeping carbs super low, you could even try using almond flour instead of panko breadcrumbs, but the panko gives them that signature crunch you might be looking for. They’re a fantastic healthier alternative to traditional low carb tater tots.
Broccoli Cheese Tots: Nutritional Insights
Okay, so let’s chat about what’s *actually* inside these yummy little bites we call Broccoli Cheese Tots! Keep in mind, these numbers are just estimates, since everyone’s cheese and broccoli amounts can be a little different. But based on my recipe, about 3 tots give you roughly 120 calories, 6 grams of protein, 10 grams of carbs (with 2 grams of fiber!), and about 7 grams of fat.
Share Your Broccoli Cheese Tots Creations!
Alright, I’d LOVE to hear how your Broccoli Cheese Tots turned out! Did your little ones devour them? Did you try a fun new cheese? Drop me a comment below, tell me what you thought, or even rate the recipe! Your feedback means the world, and I can’t wait to see what you create.
PrintBroccoli Cheese Tots
Easy, baked broccoli cheese tots packed with vegetables and flavor, perfect for kids and adults.
- Prep Time: 15 min
- Cook Time: 20 min
- Total Time: 35 min
- Yield: About 20 tots 1x
- Category: Snack
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
- 2 cups broccoli florets, finely chopped
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1/2 cup panko breadcrumbs
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 large egg, beaten
- 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/8 teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- In a medium bowl, combine the finely chopped broccoli florets, shredded cheddar cheese, panko breadcrumbs, grated Parmesan cheese, beaten egg, garlic powder, salt, and pepper.
- Mix all ingredients until well combined. The mixture should hold together when pressed.
- Shape the mixture into small tot shapes, about 1 inch in diameter.
- Place the tots on the prepared baking sheet.
- Bake for 15-20 minutes, or until golden brown and heated through.
- Serve warm.
Notes
- For a crispier tot, you can lightly spray them with cooking spray before baking.
- These tots can be frozen before baking. Place them on a baking sheet until frozen, then transfer to a freezer bag. Bake from frozen, adding a few extra minutes to the baking time.
- Feel free to experiment with different cheeses like Monterey Jack or Gruyere.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 3 tots
- Calories: 120
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 250mg
- Fat: 7g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 10g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 6g
- Cholesterol: 30mg