Zucchini Tots: the healthy recipe for an easy, low-carb vegetarian side dish
If you're looking for a delicious way to add more veggies to your family's diet, you'll love these easy zucchini tots. They're made from grated zucchini, onion, toasty breadcrumbs, and cheese and baked to golden brown perfection.
Zucchini tots are a healthy, vegetarian appetizer or side dish that goes with just about any main meal. It's also low-carb, so it's an ideal snack or side for folks on a keto diet.
Zucchini tots are especially tasty in the summer when zucchini is in season – plus this side dish goes great with favorite summer dishes like burgers, sandwiches, and hot dogs. They're crunchy on the outside, tender on the inside, and perfect for dipping.
You can even customize your zucchini tots with a dash of spice or turn them into a full meal by making loaded zucchini tots. Pop them on a plate and top them with cheese, sour cream, bacon, barbecue sauce – anything you like!
Zucchini Tots Ingredients
All you need to whip up a batch of these sensational vegetarian-friendly zucchini tots is fresh zucchini, onion, an egg, seasoned breadcrumbs, and cheese. This recipe uses cheddar, but any type of good melting cheese like provolone, mozzarella, gouda, or Gruyere would work well.
Yellow onions are the go-to as they have a sweeter, milder flavor, but white or red onions will work too.
How to Make Zucchini Tots
Ready to make these ultra-tasty zucchini tots? Here's what to do! Start by heating your oven to 400F and greasing a baking tray with cooking spray. If you haven't already, grate your zucchini, place it in paper towels and wring out all the water you can. This is key to crispy tots.
Next, grab a bowl and add the grated zucchini, onion, egg, cheese, and breadcrumbs. Season with a generous pinch of salt and black pepper, then mix well. Shape a spoonful of the mixture into an oval, then place it on the baking sheet. Continue shaping the tots until all the mixture is used up.
Bake the zucchini tots for 8 to 9 minutes, flip them over, and bake until golden brown, then serve with your favorite dipping sauces.
Tips for the Best Zucchini Tots
Make sure to wring out as much water as possible from the grated zucchini. This is key to ensuring your zucchini tots don't become soggy and will crisp up when baking.
Use gluten-free breadcrumbs to make gluten-free zucchini tots. Almond flour also works in this recipe.
To make vegan zucchini tots, use aquafaba instead of an egg as a binding agent.
Give your zucchini tots an extra kick of flavor with a dash of cayenne pepper, smoked paprika, garlic powder, or onion powder.
For maximum convenience, cook your zucchini tots in the air fryer. Heat the air fryer to 375F. Working in batches, cook the tots for 3 to 4 minutes on each side, making sure not to overcrowd the air fryer basket.
What to Serve with Zucchini Tots
Enjoy your zucchini tots with your favorite dips and sauces. Popular choices include ranch dressing, hot sauce, ketchup, honey mustard, tzatziki, blue cheese dressing, or even melted cheese. Dip, dunk, and munch away.
As a side dish, zucchini tots are great with burgers, sandwiches, wraps, roasts, and casseroles – basically, anything you'd eat with a side of French fries or roast potatoes. You can even eat them as a healthy homemade snack!
How to Store Zucchini Tots
Keep leftover zucchini tots in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days.
Can You Freeze Zucchini Tots?
Absolutely! Zucchini tots are great to make in advance and freeze for later. They'll last up to one month. When you're ready to eat them, bake them at 350F for 15 minutes.
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Instructions
Preheat your oven to 400F. Grease a baking tray with cooking spray.
Put grated zucchini, onion, egg, cheese, breadcrumbs, salt, and pepper into a bowl. Mix well to combine.
Scoop 1 tablespoon of the mixture into the palm of your hand. Shape it into an oval.
Set the zucchini tot onto the baking sheet. Repeat with the remaining mixture.
Bake the zucchini tots for 8 to 9 minutes, then flip them over.
Bake for another 8 to 9 minutes until golden brown, then serve.
Notes
Grate the cheese yourself for a more even melt.
