Easy Zucchini Tots
Zucchini tots offer a delicious and nutritious twist on classic tater tots, making them a fantastic option for both kids and adults looking to incorporate more vegetables into their diet. The recipe is really simple and being oven-baked, they’re a low-fat alternative to deep-fried potato tots. Zucchini is also rich in vitamins, minerals, and fiber, including vitamin C, vitamin K, B vitamins, potassium, and manganese. In fact, one medium zucchini provides more than half your daily vitamin C needs. These tots offer a satisfying crunch with a tender interior, packed with flavor and are an excellent way to introduce vegetables to picky eaters, especially if you serve them with someone’s favorite dipping sauce like ketchup, ranch, marinara or fry sauce.
Equipment
- 1 Vegetable shredder or food processor
- 1 medium bowl
- 1 set measuring cups and spoons
- 1 mixing spoon
- 1 large cookie sheet or pan
- 1 spatula
- 1 colander or strainer
- muslin or cheese cloth for strainer
Ingredients
- 4 cups shredded and thoroughly strained zucchini
- 1 cup seasoned bread crumbs
- 2 large eggs, lightly beaten
- ½ cup shredded cheddar cheese
- ½ cup shredded parmesan cheese
- ½ tsp dried oregano
- ¼ tsp onion powder
- ¼ tsp garlic powder
- ¼ tsp pepper
- ½ tsp salt *can be omitted if a tsp. salt is used to help strain juice from zucchini
Instructions
- Shred and thoroughly strain zucchini to get 4 cups final product. It's very important to strain as much liquid from the shredded zucchini as possible. You can place the zucchini over cheese cloth in a strainer and sprinkle with a teaspoon of salt and let sit for 30 minutes or in the refrigerator overnight then squeeze as much of the liquid as possible out of the shredded zucchini before adding additional ingredients.
- Pour zucchini into medium sized bowl and add the bread crumbs, lightly beaten eggs, cheddar and parmesan cheese, oregano, garlic powder, onion powder, pepper and salt if needed.
- Stir together until well blended. If your mix is still overly wet and drippy, you can add up to 1 additional cup of bread crumbs.
- Preheat oven to 400℉ (205℃)
- Form into balls, we use a rounded teaspoon measure, and place on greased cookie sheet with a small space between each ball to allow even baking.
- Bake for 10 minutes, flip and bake for an additional 15-20 minutes or until golden brown
Video
Notes
You can also pan fry, air fry or deep fry the zucchini balls for a crispier tot. Another option is to lightly spray oil over the tots on the tray before putting them in the oven.
Once out of the oven but still hot you can sprinkle with additional salt or other seasonings.
**We cannot stress enough, the difference in a soggy or a good texture to your tots is straining as much of the liquid from the zucchini before adding your additional ingredients!**
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