Broccoli-cheddar tots are a fun, tasty way to get more veggies into your diet.
Hubby and I both grew up loving traditional tater tots, generally as part of a tater-tot hot dish. I mean, deep-fried little pieces of grated potato, what is not to love?
When I saw these for sale in the freezer section, they immediately went into my shopping cart. Tots made with broccoli and cheese sounded so good. Broccoli is one of our favorite veggies, and these tots did not disappoint. I have a feeling they are quite popular as they have become hard to find. Luckily, I can now make a delicious version of veggie tots at home.
Ingredients
Broccoli Florets: You will need a cup of broccoli. I use florets with small stems.
Red Onion: Adds sharp flavor and color.
Cheddar Cheese: Mild or sharp cheddar are both great, whatever you prefer.
Panko Bread Crumbs: Panko bread crumbs are light and flakey and help the tots bake up crispy.
Salt & Pepper: Add to taste. I like a bit of salt to enhance the broccoli and a good sprinkle of freshly ground black pepper.
Instructions
Preheat the oven. I like to either line a sheet pan with parchment paper or spray a baking dish for easy cleanup.
Next, you will steam the broccoli until it is bright green and tender. While the broccoli is steaming, add onion, cheddar cheese, bread crumbs, and the egg to a bowl. Combine thoroughly.
Once the broccoli is tender, chop it up into small pieces and stir into the remaining ingredients along with salt and pepper.
Grab a spoonful and shape the mixture into the tot. You can tell by the photos mine hardly look like the perfectly shaped tots you buy in a bag at the grocery store. I just make sure they are roughly the same size.
Bake until browned and crispy to your liking. In the photos above I was adding the tots on top of a casserole and didn’t want them to get overly browned. In the photo below, I served them as a side and let them get quite browned and crispy. We like them crispy!
Enjoy these wonderful broccoli-cheddar tots. If you are looking for more broccoli sides, try this easy risotto or savory pie.
Broccoli-Cheddar Tots
Ingredients
- 1 cup broccoli roughly chopped
- 2 Tbsp red onion minced
- ⅓ cheddar cheese shredded
- ¼ cup panko bread crumbs
- 1 egg
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 400ºF, and line a baking sheet with a piece of parchment paper.
- Steam the broccoli for about 5-7 minutes until tender, and chop into small pieces. Small pieces of broccoli will help you form the tots.
- In a large bowl, combine the chopped broccoli with minced onion, cheese, bread crumbs, egg, salt, and pepper. Mix until totally combined.
- Scoop a heaping Tbsp of the mixture in your hands, and shape it so it resembles a tater tot. Place on your baking sheet, and repeat until all mixture has been used.
- Bake in the oven for 20 minutes and enjoy warm.