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Easy Crispy Baked Cheddar Broccoli Tots (Best Ever Recipe)

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These crispy baked cheddar broccoli tots are a delicious way to enjoy vegetables. Made with fresh broccoli, sharp cheddar, and panko breadcrumbs, they are baked until golden and perfect for picky eaters or as a crowd-pleasing appetizer.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 3 cups fresh broccoli florets, finely chopped
  • 1 cup sharp cheddar cheese, freshly grated
  • ½ cup panko breadcrumbs
  • 1 large egg, beaten
  • ½ teaspoon garlic powder
  • ½ teaspoon onion powder
  • ½ teaspoon fine sea salt
  • ¼ teaspoon black pepper, freshly ground
  • Olive oil spray (for the baking sheet)

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and lightly spray with olive oil.
  2. Prep the broccoli: Cut the florets off the thick stems and chop very finely until pieces are about the size of a grain of rice. You should have about 2 cups of chopped broccoli.
  3. Blanch the broccoli: Bring a small pot of water to a boil, add the chopped broccoli, and cook for exactly 2 minutes. Drain immediately and run cold water over it to stop the cooking. Squeeze the broccoli in a clean kitchen towel or paper towels to remove as much water as possible.
  4. Grate the cheese: Grate 1 cup of sharp cheddar on the large holes of a box grater. Optionally, save a tablespoon for sprinkling on top before baking.
  5. Mix everything together: In a large bowl, combine the squeezed broccoli, grated cheddar, panko breadcrumbs, beaten egg, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper. Mix with a fork or your hands until evenly combined. The mixture should hold together when squeezed.
  6. Shape the tots: Using a cookie scoop or spoon, scoop out tablespoon-sized portions and roll them into small cylinders or ovals. Place on the prepared baking sheet, leaving about an inch of space between each. You should get about 20-24 tots.
  7. Spray the tops: Lightly spray the tops of the tots with olive oil.
  8. Bake for 15 minutes: Place the baking sheet on the middle rack and bake for 15 minutes until the bottoms are golden brown.
  9. Flip and bake again: Carefully flip each tot using a spatula. Spray the other side lightly with oil, then bake for another 10-12 minutes until both sides are golden brown and crispy.
  10. Cool slightly before serving: Let the tots rest on the baking sheet for 2-3 minutes before serving warm.

Notes

Squeeze the broccoli thoroughly after blanching to remove excess moisture—this is key for crispy tots. For uniform baking, use a cookie scoop to shape the tots. If the mixture feels too wet, add an extra tablespoon of breadcrumbs. For best results, do not skip the olive oil spray on the baking sheet and on top of the tots.

Nutrition

Keywords: broccoli tots, baked broccoli tots, cheddar broccoli tots, healthy snack, vegetarian appetizer, easy recipe

Find it online: https://platebelle.com/easy-crispy-baked-cheddar-broccoli-tots-best-ever-recipe/