Let's Cook

Cheesy Baked Broccoli Tots

Cuisine

American

Course

Appetizers

Servings

20 People

Difficulty

Easy

Cooking Time

25 min

Total Time

40 min

Golden on the outside, soft and cheesy on the inside — these broccoli tots are the healthy-ish, bite-sized answer to fries. Kid-friendly, freezer-friendly, and dangerously poppable.

Ingredients

2 cups broccoli florets (lightly steamed)
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
½ cup breadcrumbs
¼ cup grated Parmesan
1 egg
1 tbsp chopped fresh parsley
1 tbsp olive oil (for brushing)
½ tsp garlic powder
¼ tsp onion powder
¼ tsp salt
¼ tsp black pepper
Dipping sauce, for serving

Instructions

Prep the broccoli. Steam 2 cups of broccoli florets just until fork-tender — about 3–4 minutes. Let them cool, then finely chop or pulse in a food processor until it resembles coarse rice. Not mushy — you want texture.
Mix the filling. In a bowl, combine chopped broccoli with 1 cup shredded cheddar, ½ cup breadcrumbs, ¼ cup parmesan, 1 egg, 1 tbsp parsley, ½ tsp garlic powder, ¼ tsp onion powder, ¼ tsp salt, and ¼ tsp black pepper. Mix until it sticks together when you press it.
Shape your tots. Scoop a tablespoon of mixture and roll it into small cylinders — like mini log shapes. You should get about 20 tots. Place them on a parchment-lined baking sheet.
Bake until golden. Brush each tot with 1 tbsp olive oil. Bake at 400°F (200°C) for 20–25 minutes, flipping halfway, until golden and crispy on the edges.
Serve it up. Let the tots cool slightly so they firm up. Serve warm with your favorite dipping sauce.

Cooking Moments

Tips & Variations

💡 Air fryer option: Cook at 375°F for 10–12 minutes, flipping once.
🌿 Make it gluten-free: Use GF breadcrumbs.
💡 Add protein: Mix in some finely chopped cooked chicken or turkey.

The Chefta

Fonder & Ceo

Chefta’s Notes

📖 These started as a desperate attempt to get my little cousin to eat vegetables. Joke’s on me — I ended up eating half the batch before dinner. Addictive in the best way.