Description
Zucchini tots bring veggie-packed crispy goodness to snack time without the guilt. These bite-sized treasures deliver a delightful crunch that makes healthy eating totally delicious.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 2 medium zucchini
- 1 large egg
- ½ cup breadcrumbs
- ½ cup shredded cheddar cheese
Cheese and Seasoning:
- ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- Salt
- Black pepper
Garnish and Optional Add-ins:
- Pinch of chili flakes
- Chopped fresh herbs
- Mozzarella cheese (optional)
- Pepper jack cheese (optional)
Instructions
- Heat your oven to precisely 400°F (200°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper for easy cleanup.
- Grate 2 medium zucchini, then transfer the shreds to a clean kitchen towel, squeezing firmly to remove every drop of excess moisture.
- Grab a large mixing bowl and combine 2 cups shredded zucchini, 1 large egg, ½ cup breadcrumbs, ½ cup cheddar cheese, ¼ cup Parmesan cheese, ½ teaspoon garlic powder, ½ teaspoon onion powder, salt, and black pepper until the mixture holds together smoothly.
- Shape 12 tablespoons of the zucchini mixture into small oval tots, making sure each one is compact and well-formed.
- Arrange the tots on the prepared baking sheet, leaving a small space between each one for even cooking.
- Slide the baking sheet into the preheated oven and bake for 20-25 minutes, carefully flipping the tots halfway through to ensure golden, crispy edges on all sides.
- Remove from the oven when the tots are deep golden brown and slightly crunchy, letting them rest for 2-3 minutes before serving with your favorite dipping sauce.
Notes
- Squeeze zucchini thoroughly to remove excess moisture, which helps tots become crispy instead of soggy.
- Use freshly grated Parmesan and cheddar cheese for the best melting and flavor complexity.
- Experiment with herbs like dried basil or oregano to customize the seasoning profile of your tots.
- For a gluten-free version, swap breadcrumbs with almond flour or crushed pork rinds to maintain the crispy texture.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20-25 minutes
- Category: Baked
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 120 kcal
- Sugar: 1 g
- Sodium: 230 mg
- Fat: 7 g
- Saturated Fat: 3.5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 8 g
- Fiber: 1.5 g
- Protein: 6 g
- Cholesterol: 55 mg