Description
These mouthwatering Cheesy Zucchini Tots are a delicious and healthy snack or side dish, ready in just 25 minutes. Made with grated zucchini, shredded cheddar cheese, and a crispy bread crumb coating, they’re baked to golden perfection and served warm with marinara sauce for dipping. Perfect as a gluten-free appetizer or a tasty way to enjoy veggies, these tots are crispy on the outside and tender on the inside.
Ingredients
Scale
Vegetables and Dairy
- 1 medium zucchini (Grated and squeezed out moisture)
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese (Provides creamy goodness)
- 2 large eggs (Binding agent for the tots)
Dry Ingredients
- 1/4 cup panko bread crumbs (Adds extra crunch)
- 1/4 cup regular bread crumbs (Mix provides wonderful texture)
- 1 tsp salt (Adjust to preference)
- 1/4 tsp pepper (Adds heat)
- 3/4 tsp garlic powder (Enhances flavor)
Serving
- Marinara sauce (Perfect dipping sauce)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper or lightly grease it with cooking spray to prevent sticking.
- Prepare Zucchini: Grate the zucchini using a box grater or food processor. Place the grated zucchini in a clean kitchen towel and squeeze out as much excess moisture as possible to avoid soggy tots.
- Mix Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, combine the grated zucchini, eggs, panko bread crumbs, regular bread crumbs, salt, pepper, garlic powder, and shredded cheddar cheese. Mix thoroughly until all ingredients are well incorporated.
- Form Tots: Using a spoon or your hands, scoop small portions of the mixture and shape them into tots. Place each tot on the prepared baking sheet, leaving some space between each to allow for even cooking.
- Bake: Bake the zucchini tots in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes or until they turn golden brown and crispy on the outside.
- Serve: Remove from the oven and serve warm with marinara sauce for dipping. Enjoy your cheesy, crispy zucchini tots!
Notes
- Make sure to squeeze out as much moisture as possible from the zucchini to ensure crispy tots.
- You can substitute cheddar cheese with mozzarella or any cheese of your choice for different flavor variations.
- For extra crispiness, you may broil the tots for the last 1-2 minutes of baking, keeping a close eye to prevent burning.
- Leftover tots can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and reheated in the oven.
- For a gluten-free version, replace bread crumbs with gluten-free crumbs or crushed gluten-free cereal.
