Broccoli Tots and 4 Other Healthy Veggie Tots Recipes | Tater Tots (2024)

Bless This Mess Recipes Side Dishes and Salads Vegetable Sides

By Melissa

on Mar 26, 2018, Updated Sep 19, 2019

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Recipes for Healthy Veggie Tots including broccoli tots, cauli-tots, sweet potato tots, zucchini tots, and mixed veggie tots! Perfect for making veggies fun for both kids and adults. This healthy tater tot recipe is the best side to virtually any dinner!

Broccoli Tots and 4 Other Healthy Veggie Tots Recipes | Tater Tots (2)

Healthy Homemade Vegetable Tater Tot Recipe

Broccoli tots are the most obvious vegetable tot in the bunch but my kids still loved them. The cauliflower and zucchini tots taste the most like a classic tater tot and those sweet potato tots are such a fun sweet and savory treat that we all loved. I’m positive you are going to find one you love even if you don’t make all 5 vegetable tot recipes. I think the fact that there is cheese included in these veggie tots is what sold my kids on them. Cheese goes really well with vegetables and when it’s all baked together into fun little dip-able pieces, they just can’t say no.

These are also a great recipe to prep ahead and stash in the freezer. I like to make them from start to finish (including baking them). Then just let them cool, pop them in a freezer safe container, and stash until you need a healthy side dish for dinner. I just pull them out and reheat them at 400 degrees for about 15 minutes. Works every time.

Vegetable tots are the perfect side to just about any meal. I like to serve them with baked chicken legs, grilled fish, orSlow Cooker Honey Teriyaki Meatballs. Just add a side of fresh fruit and call it a meal.

Broccoli Tots and More! Tips and Tricks for Success:

  • You can use frozen cauliflower or broccoli in this recipe! Just run the frozen veggies under warm water to thaw before “ricing” and sticking them in the microwave.
  • If you don’t use/have a microwave you can steam the veggies, though I find it hard to steam vegetables that have been riced/grated. You can also bake the potato for 15-20 minutes to partial cook it.
  • The amount of moisture in your veggies is going to affect the finished product the most. If you ended up with more water in your zucchini then I did, then your tots will be mushy and not hold together. One way to prevent that is to be sure to remove as much of the water as you can. Another helpful tip is that you can add a little more almond flour or bread crumbs as needed. You should be able to form your vegetable mixture into tots with your hands without making a total mess before they go into the oven. When in doubt, add a little more flour or bread crumbs.
  • I used almond flour in this recipe because it has a great texture and because it’s gluten-free. If that isn’t a concern, feel free to use the bread crumbs (and you can always make your own whole wheat bread crumbs from homemade bread if needed); both work great.

Broccoli Tots and 4 Other Healthy Veggie Tots Recipes | Tater Tots (3)

Broccoli Tots and 4 Other Healthy Veggie Tots Recipes | Tater Tots (4)

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Broccoli Tots and 4 Other Healthy Veggie Tots Recipes | Tater Tots (5)

Broccoli Tots and 4 other Healthy Veggie Tots Recipes

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  • Author: Melissa Griffiths - Bless this Mess
  • Total Time: 35 min
  • Yield: 2 dozen tots 1x
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Description

Recipes for Healthy Veggie Tots including broccoli tots, cauli-tots, sweet potato tots, zucchini tots, and mixed veggie tots! Perfect for making veggies fun for both kids and adults. This healthy tater tot recipe is the best side to virtually any dinner!

Ingredients

Scale

  • 2 cups “riced” cauliflower, broccoli,par-cooked shredded sweet potato or2 1/2 cups shredded zucchini
  • 1/2 cup blanched almond flour or bread crumbs
  • 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
  • 1 egg
  • 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt

Instructions

For broccoli or cauliflower tots

  1. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
  2. Process fresh broccoli or cauliflower in a food processor until it is “riced”, meaning you have pieces about the size of rice. You can also grate/chop to attain the same texture though it takes a little longer.
  3. Place two cups of the riced cauliflower or broccoli in a microwave-safe dish (Pyrex measuring cup works great) and microwave on high for 4-5 minutes.
  4. Dump the hot “riced” veggies into a medium bowl and allow them to cool for 5 minutes.
  5. Add the almond flour or bread crumbs, cheese, egg, garlic powder, onion powder, and salt to the bowl and stir well to combine. The mixture should hold together when you press it in your hand. You can add a few more tablespoons of almond flour or bread crumbs as needed to help the mixture come together.
  6. Use your hand to form the veggie mixture into “tot” shaped pieces and place them on the prepared baking sheet until you have used all of the vegetable mixture.
  7. Bake for 22-24 minutes, flipping the tots over half way through baking, until the tots are golden brown.
  8. Serve warm with your favorite dipping sauce.

For the sweet potato tots

  1. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
  2. Wash a large sweet potato (about 12 ounces) and poke it a few times with a fork. Microwave it for 4 minutes so that it is easy to peel but under cooked. It should not be cooked through.
  3. Remove the skin from the potato and then grate the potato on the largest holes of your box grater. Measure out two cups of shredded potato and place it in a medium mixing bowl.
  4. Add the almond flour or bread crumbs, cheese, egg, garlic powder, onion powder, and salt to the bowl and stir well to combine. The mixture should hold together when you press it in your hand. You can add a few more tablespoons of almond flour or bread crumbs as needed to help the mixture come together.
  5. Use your hand to form the potato mixture into “tot” shaped pieces and place them on the prepared baking sheet until you have used all of the vegetable mixture.
  6. Bake for 22-24 minutes, flipping the tots over halfway through baking, until the tots are golden brown.
  7. Serve warm with your favorite dipping sauce.

For the zucchini tots

  1. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
  2. Grate the zucchini (two small or one large) on the largest holes of your box grater.
  3. Measure out 2 1/2 cups of grated zucchini and place it in a microwave safe dish (Pyrex measuring cup works great) and microwave on high for 4 minutes.
  4. Allow the cooked zucchini to cool for 5 minutes.
  5. Place the cooked zucchini in a clean dish towel or a few layers of thick paper towels and squeeze it to help remove the water. Your goal is to remove as much water as you can so that your tots hold together.
  6. Place the zucchini in a medium mixing bowl.
  7. Add the almond flour or bread crumbs, cheese, egg, garlic powder, onion powder, and salt to the bowl and stir well to combine. The mixture should hold together when you press it in your hand. You can add a few more tablespoons of almond flour or bread crumbs as needed to help the mixture come together.
  8. Use your hand to form the veggie mixture into “tot” shaped pieces and place them on the prepared baking sheet until you have used all of the vegetable mixture.
  9. Bake for 22-24 minutes, flipping the tots over halfway through baking, until the tots are golden brown.
  10. Serve warm with your favorite dipping sauce.

For the mixed veggie tots

  1. Follow cooking direction for each individual veggie (being sure to remove extra water from zucchini and partially cook the sweet potato) and then combine 2 cups total of cooked veggies in the bowl and proceed as normal. You can use any combination of veggies that you like. We liked sweet potato + zucchini a lot!

Notes

  • You can use frozen cauliflower or broccoli in this recipe! Just run the frozen veggies under warm water to thaw before “ricing” and sticking them in the microwave.
  • If you don’t use/have a microwave you can steam the veggies, though I find it hard to steam vegetables that have been riced/grated. You can also bake the potato for 15-20 minutes to partially cook it.
  • The amount of moisture in your veggies is going to affect the finished product the most. If you ended up with more water in your zucchini then I did, then your tots will be mushy and not hold together. One way to prevent that is to be sure to remove as much of the water as you can. Another helpful tip is that you can add a little more almond flour or bread crumbs as needed. You should be able to form your vegetable mixture into tots with your hands without making a total mess before they go into the oven. When in doubt, add a little more flour or bread crumbs.
  • Prep Time: 15 min
  • Cook Time: 20 min
  • Category: Side
  • Method: Oven
  • Cuisine: American

Broccoli Tots and 4 Other Healthy Veggie Tots Recipes | Tater Tots (6)

Seriously though, who’s making some cauli-tots or broccoli tots tonight for dinner?! I can’t wait for you to try them. Enjoy from my kitchen to yours!

About Melissa

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Broccoli Tots and 4 Other Healthy Veggie Tots Recipes | Tater Tots (2024)

FAQs

Are broccoli tots healthier than tater tots? ›

Broccoli tots are considered a healthy snack option, rich in vitamins, minerals, and fiber from the broccoli, and often lower in calories and carbohydrates when compared to traditional potato tots. When prepared with wholesome ingredients and baked, they offer a nutritious and delicious way to enjoy vegetables.

What to serve with tater tots healthy? ›

For a healthier meal, make a totcho salad. Just pile tots and your favorite nacho toppings onto romaine lettuce. Add protein with shredded rotisserie chicken, or leftover chili or pulled pork.

Are cauliflower tots better for you than tater tots? ›

Cauliflower tots are arguably less healthy than tater tots

And in that smaller serving, you're getting the same amount of total fat (7 g) and double the saturated fat (1 g vs. 0.5 g).

Are Green Giant veggie tots healthy? ›

The tots have no artificial flavors or preservatives. In addition, they offer 2g of protein, 5g of dietary fiber and 110 calories per serving. These cauliflower tots are enjoyable as a dinner side, as a snack or as an appetizer.

Are veggie tots healthier than tater tots? ›

Cauliflower tots are arguably less healthy than tater tots

And in that smaller serving, you're getting the same amount of total fat (7 g) and double the saturated fat (1 g vs. 0.5 g).

Which is more fattening tater tots or French fries? ›

Tater tots are made from grated deep-fried potato. The fact they are grated, means there is more surface area to soak up the frying oil compared to french fries, making the tater tots fattier by comparison.

What can I use instead of tater tots? ›

This recipes takes the flavors of the classic tater tots & infuses that flavor into a much healthier alternative – shredded zucchini. Zucchini is a mild vegetable, and takes on the flavors of whatever you pair with it, making it the perfect substitution when making a healthier tot for your tot.

Are tater tots good for diet? ›

While they are undeniably tasty, they're not the healthiest choice if consumed in excess. Here's why: High in Calories: Tater tots are calorie-dense because of the frying process.

Are Tater Tots junk food? ›

Warning: There's absolutely nothing healthy or nutritionally redeeming about “tater tots.” They're straight up junk food, loaded with fat and salt. But they're also crispy, salty and simply irresistible — no matter what your age. Ore-Ida's Tater Tots were invented in Oregon in 1953 as a way to use up potato scraps.

What are Green Giant veggie tots? ›

Filled with Sweet Potato and Cauliflower, our Veggie Tots are a great alternative to potato tots & fries. There is one full serving of vegetables in each serving with no artificial flavors or preservatives. Available in the frozen aisle.

Are sweet potato tots healthier than regular? ›

If you're being a little health conscious, then maybe French fries aren't the best option for you. This doesn't mean that you can't go out and indulge in delicious sweet potato tater tots. Sweet potatoes are a healthy alternative to regular potatoes, so if you're watching your figure they're a great choice.

How do I get the crispiest tater tots? ›

The secret? Rolling each tot in a little olive oil before baking for a crispy on the outside, soft on the inside tater tot. Once the tots are out of the oven, sprinkle with garlicky parmesan cheese.

Is Green Giant broccoli and cheese healthy? ›

Depending on the overall balance of your diet, eating two packages of Green Giant Simply Steam Broccoli and Cauliflower with light cheese sauce for dinner might be a healthy and full decision. Broccoli and cauliflower are both packed in vitamins and minerals, and the cheese sauce may provide some protein and calcium.

Can you deep fry Green Giant veggie tots? ›

Veggie tots are bite-sized croquettes made with various shredded veggies, including cauliflower, broccoli, sweet potato, and zucchini. They are a healthier take on the classic tater tot, which is made of shredded white potatoes. Tots can be deep-fried, baked, or air fried.

How many calories are in a broccoli tater tot? ›

6 pieces of broccoli tots contains 130 Calories, 16 grams of carbs, 3 grams of protein, and 6 grams of fat. This has a moderate calorie density, with 153 Calories per 100g.

Can tater tots be healthy? ›

Traditional tater tots are often considered a less healthy option due to their high-fat content from deep-frying and added preservatives. However, you can make healthier versions by baking or air-frying them with minimal oil.

How many carbs are in broccoli tots? ›

Green Giant Veggie Tots Broccoli (6 pieces) contains 15g total carbs, 9g net carbs, 4.5g fat, 3g protein, and 110 calories.

How many calories are in 10 tater tots? ›

Frozen - Great Value
Nutrition Facts
For a Serving Size of 10 pieces (84g)
How many calories are in Tater Tots? Amount of calories in Tater Tots: Calories 160Calories from Fat 72 (45%)
% Daily Value *
How much fat is in Tater Tots? Amount of fat in Tater Tots: Total Fat 8g-
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