How to make broccoli tots

Cooktop Cove: How to make broccoli tots

By Emily Monaco

Who didn't get excited when it was tater tot day at the school cafeteria? Now you can have healthier tots at home, with these vibrant broccoli tots. Kids are sure to love the recipe below.

When it comes to these tots, you're going to want to use fresh broccoli. The frozen version will add too much water to them and will have a negative effect on the texture. Although you could certainly fry these tots, baking them makes them much healthier (and they'll still be delicious).

Broccoli Tots

20 minutes

40 minutes

1 hour

2 headsof broccoli, cut into florets, stem-end chopped

3/4 cup panko breadcrumbs, divided

1 egg

1/4 cup Parmesan cheese

1 tablespoon vegetable oil

1 teaspoon onion powder

1/4 teaspoon salt

1/8 teaspoon black pepper

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F and grease a baking sheet.

Place the broccoli in a microwave-safe bowl and microwave for about 2 minutes, or until just bright green and fork tender. It should still be crisp.

Place the broccoli in the bowl of a food processor, and pulse until the mixture is even but still quite grainy.

Measure out 3 cups of the broccoli mixture and place in a bowl. Combine with 1/4 cup of the panko, the egg, the Parmesan cheese, the oil and the spices. Mix well to combine.

Scoop out about a tablespoon of the mixture at a time and roll into a barrel shape. Roll in the panko before placing on the baking sheet. Continue until you have used up all of the broccoli mixture.

Bake for 40 minutes, flipping once to ensure the tots are golden brown on all sides.