Description
Homemade broccoli-cheese tater tots combine crispy potato goodness with green vegetable nutrition and melted cheese. Guests will appreciate this creative side dish that delivers satisfying crunch and comforting flavors you can enjoy at any casual gathering.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 cups broccoli florets
- 2 large eggs
- ⅔ cup (160 ml) shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 small shallot, minced
- ½ cup (60 grams) panko bread crumbs
- Salt, to taste
- Pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Preparation: Rinse broccoli thoroughly and trim florets into small, uniform pieces. Mince shallot finely and set aside.
- Initial Cooking: Steam broccoli florets for 2 minutes until slightly tender, maintaining a vibrant green color. Drain and pat dry completely to remove excess moisture.
- Mixture Creation: In a large mixing bowl, combine chopped broccoli, minced shallot, cheddar cheese, panko bread crumbs, and eggs. Season with kosher salt and black pepper, mixing until ingredients are evenly distributed and well-incorporated.
- Shaping: Using clean hands, form the mixture into compact cylindrical shapes resembling traditional tater tots, approximately 2 inches long and 1 inch wide.
- Baking Preparation: Preheat oven to 400°F (204°C) with the rack positioned in the center. Lightly spray a baking sheet with cooking spray or line with parchment paper.
- Cooking: Arrange shaped tots on the prepared baking sheet, ensuring space between each piece for proper heat circulation. Bake for 18-22 minutes, rotating the sheet halfway through to achieve uniform golden-brown crispiness.
- Serving: Remove from oven and let rest for 2-3 minutes to firm up. Serve immediately while hot and crispy, paired with your preferred dipping sauce or as a delectable side dish.
Notes
- Prevent Moisture Buildup: Pat broccoli completely dry after steaming to avoid soggy tots that won’t crisp properly.
- Perfect Binding Technique: Use room temperature eggs and mix ingredients thoroughly to help tots hold their shape during baking.
- Consistent Size Matters: Form tots uniformly to ensure even cooking and crispy exterior for all pieces.
- Optimal Baking Position: Place oven rack in center to guarantee balanced heat distribution and golden-brown crunchiness.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Snacks, Appetizer
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 21
- Calories: 50
- Sugar: 0.5 g
- Sodium: 100 mg
- Fat: 2 g
- Saturated Fat: 1 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 1 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 6 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 3 g
- Cholesterol: 30 mg