Crispy on the outside and soft on the inside, these broccoli tots are sure to be enjoyed by all ages.
Broccoli Cheddar Tots are a tasty snack the entire family can enjoy and they are a fun way to get little ones to eat this nutritious veggie.
If you love tots, be sure to check out our equally delicious veggie tots and cauliflower tots for more veggie-filled goodness!
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Reasons to Love these Broccoli Tots
- Broccoli Exposure: Broccoli isn't always the most accepted vegetable and repeated exposure is important for acceptance. These broccoli tots are a tasty way to serve broccoli, making it more appealing with cheese and a yummy dip.
- Added protein: Not only is almond meal a great gluten-free substitute for breadcrumbs, it also provides extra fat and protein to keep little tummies fuller for longer.
- Freezer Friendly:Make a big batch and freeze for quick, easy meals or snacks.
- Versatile: Enjoy them hot or cold, in lunchboxes, as snacks, or as a side dish.
Ingredient Information and Alternative Suggestions
- Broccoli: The main ingredient! Both broccoli florets and the stem can be used.
- Eggs: Used to bind the tots together. No egg alternatives have been tested. I'd suggest trying a flax egg or chia egg but cannot guarantee results.
- Almond Meal/Flour: Almond flour works great in these tots but if you prefer you can replace it with the same weight of panko breadcrumbs or regular breadcrumbs (which works out as 1 cup).
- Cheddar Cheese: Adds flavor. Substitute with any good melting cheese or a mix. You can also add a little Parmesan cheese for extra flavor. For dairy-free, try adding nutritional yeast, lemon zest and fresh herbs (suggestions only, not tested).
- Garlic: For flavour, can be skipped if preferred.
Step-by-Step Instructions (with Images)
- Prepare Broccoli: Cut the florets off the broccoli and break them up into medium pieces. Don't throw away the broccoli stems, you can add them too. Remove the tough outer skin and then cut the stem into pieces around 1-2 cm / ½-¾ inch in size. Keep it small so it softens enough to chop easily with the florets.
- Cook Broccoli: Steam the stems for 1 minute and then add the florets and steam for a further 3-4 minutes, or until soft. If you don't have a steamer you can boil. Just make sure to really drain well, after cooking, or the tots will be too wet and soft.
- Chop: Chop the cooked broccoli up finely. You want nice small pieces or it will be difficult to form the tots. You will be able to chop it up a little more when mixing with the other ingredients so you don't have to be too pedantic here.
- Mix: Add the chopped broccoli to a large mixing bowl with the cheese, egg, almond meal and garlic. Mix well to combine, mashing any bigger pieces of broccoli you find as you mix.
- Form Broccoli Tots: Scoop heaped tablespoons of the mixture and form into tot shapes. Place on parchment paper linked baking sheet. Repeat with the remaining mixture (It should make around 23 -25 tots depending on how generous you are with your scoops).
- Bake: Place in a preheated oven for 20 mins, or until golden brown and crisp on the outside.
Storage Instructions
- Refrigerate: Allow to cool and refrigerate leftovers in an airtight container for up to two days.
- Freeze: Once cool, freeze tots, on a single layer, until solid. Transfer to a freezer bag, or freezable container, and store for up to 2 months.
- Reheat: Thaw broccoli tots in the refrigerator overnight and reheat at 180C/350F for about 10-15 minutes, or until heated throughout. Also delicious served cold.
Recipe FAQs
Yes, they can be served to babies from 6 months plus, provided they are developmentally ready and have transitioned from purees or are following a baby-led weaning approach. However, keep in mind these considerations;
Allergies: This recipe includes dairy, eggs and nuts —common allergens. Introduce each ingredient separately first and monitor for any allergic reactions.
Sodium Content: Avoid adding salt to the recipe and consider reducing the cheese to lower sodium levels.
Always create a safe eating environment and keep a close eye on your baby during meals.
This information is general and not personalized advice - each baby develops at their own pace. Make informed decisions for your child and consult a professional for personalized advice.
Yes, you can chop the broccoli in the food processor, just be careful not to over process as the tots can then become too soft. Pulse the broccoli in short bursts.
I personally haven't tried this but think it is a great idea. Just make sure to grease your muffin tray well and you may find that it needs an extra 5 mins in the oven.
Alternatively, you can form balls, although this isn't that much quicker.
I've serve with a lemon yogurt dip (mix ½ cup full-fat natural yogurt with 1 tablespoon of freshly squeezed lemon juice, ½ garlic clove (minced) and salt & pepper. Stir to combine and adjust to suit taste).
You can serve with a selection of dips (which kids love) or your child's favourite dip.
More Broccoli Recipes
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Broccoli Tots
Ingredients
- 2 medium broccoli , 550g / 19.5 oz
- 2 eggs
- ¾ cup (60g) almond meal/flour
- ¾ packed cup (75g) sharp cheddar cheese
- 2 garlic cloves ,minced
- ½ teaspoon salt ,optional - do not add for baby
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375℉/190℃ and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Cut the florets off the broccoli and break them up into medium pieces. Remove the tough outer skin of the stem and then cut the stem into pieces around 1-2 cm / ½-¾ inch in size.
- Steam (or boil) the stems for 1 minute and then add the florets and steam for a further 3-4 minutes, or until soft. Drain well
- Chop the cooked broccoli up and transfer to a large mixing bowl.
- Add the cheese, egg, almond meal and garlic and mix well to combine. Mash any bigger pieces of broccoli up as you mix.
- Scoop a heaped tablespoon of the mixture and form it into a tot. Place on prepared tray. Repeat with the remaining mixture (It should make around 23 -25 tots).
- Spray with oil (optional) then bake for 20 minutes, or until golden.
- Serve with a dip of choice.
Video
Recipe Notes
- You can replace the almond meal with bread crumbs if you prefer. Replace with 60g/ 1 cup of panko breadcrumbs.
- Sharp Cheddar cheese gives good flavour. You can use any good melting cheese (Tasty, Colby etc) or a mix (e.g Parmesan and Cheddar)
- If making for a baby to reduce sodium content reduce the cheese or consider replacing it with a lower sodium cheese such as mozzarella.
Susan
I made these for my 10 month old. Sadly, she doesn’t like them right now BUT I love them so it’s a great trade-off! I made the dipping sauce from one of your other replies (yoghurt, lemon, garlic, s&p) and they are delicious!
Amy Whiteford
Thank you, Susan! I'm so glad you enjoyed them — hopefully, your little one will come around to them in time! That dipping sauce is the perfect match. Thanks for taking the time to leave a review!
Janel
Hi! What kind of dip is it? Do you have the recipe? Thank you 🙂
Amy
Hi Janel, I've served them with a lemon yogurt dip (mix ½ cup full-fat natural yogurt with 1 tablespoon of freshly squeezed lemon juice, ½ garlic clove (minced) and salt & pepper. Stir to combine and adjust to suit taste).
Renee C
I don't have kids but I enjoyed these for myself! I ate them over a week, including for breakfast, as snacks and even had 3 or 4 with a salad one lunchtime.
The garlic flavour was strong, probably pronounced by the fact that I chopped and didn't mince. Next time I might cook the garlic down a little.
I like the combo of heaps of veg and some protein. Thanks for the recipe!
Amy
Thanks Renee, so glad you enjoyed them 🙂
Angela
Any suggestions for what I could use to substitute the cheese? (Dairy allergy).
Amy
HI Angela, you can skip the cheese, it is there for flavour. You could try replacing it with freshly chopped herbs or nutritional yeast. 🙂
Mir
These were great! Question, could I freeze the raw tots for later use?
Amy
Hi Mir, yes you can 🙂
Ann
Can you make these with frozen broccoli?
Amy
Hi Ann, I haven't actually tested these with frozen broccoli but believe it would work 🙂
Bethany
How much longer would this take in high altitude?
Amy
I really don't know, sorry. Maybe add another 5 mins?
Anna P
I haven’t tried this yet— but I love all of the ones on this site so far (along with my husband and baby)!
One question about a substitution for this recipe: would it affect the taste/formability of the tots if I used almond flour instead of almond meal?
Amy
Thanks Anna, I'm glad you are enjoying the site. Yes you can sub with almond flour 🙂
Brittney Power
How do I know what age these recipes are good for and how to serve them ?
Amy
Hi Brittney, I try to include info for a baby on all my posts now (although older posts don't include this information). If you look under FAQ it is often there. These tots are suitable from 6 months. However, just be mindful that they do contain egg, nuts and dairy, three of the common allergens. You should introduce these foods separately first. You may also wish to reduce the cheese to reduce sodium levels.
Sarah H
This recipe is incredible. My husband and I also ate them.
Amy
Fantastic, thanks Sarah 🙂
Ink
LO loved these! It's great they are tasty for adults, too 😀 Thanks for the recipe, Amy!
Greetings from Germany
Amy
Thank you 🙂
Michelle
Hi! I think the next egg alternative would be chickpea flour as a binder. Just use 1/4 cup chickpea flour with 1/4 cup water or milk (adding little by little to help prevent lumps while whisking).
Thank you for the recipe!
Amy
Thanks Michelle 🙂
TZ
These are great! My baby who had been rejecting broccoli is really enjoying them and so is my four year old. I have been serving them with hummus so I can use it to bind all if the crumbs back together for my baby.
Amy
Brilliant! I'm so happy. you have been enjoying so many recipes 🙂
Kate Hopewell
These look and taste amazing! How would you recommend storing and rehearing? Can they be frozen?
Amy
Thank you, Kate. Yes they can be frozen 🙂 If you scroll up through the post you will find a section detailing how to best freeze and reheat them. For future reference, there is a contents box just under the first photo of most of my recipe posts. You can click on the heading to jump to the information you want. I try to include storage instructions for most of my recipes.
Claire
A great tasty recipe for my toddlers afternoon snack today. I halved the recipe as I only had one broccoli head and still made at least 15.
Amy
Glad your little one enjoyed them Claire 🙂
Mylissa
Instead of the almond meal can you use oat flour?
Amy
Hi Mylissa, I have never tried oat flour for this recipe so I can't guarantee the results. Breadcrumbs are a good substitution.
Elaine T
My son is about to turn 1 and is going through a picky phase... but he devoured these! I substituted for panko per your instructions as this is all I had and they are so yummy. Thank you!
Amy
Excellent! I'm so happy your little one liked them 🙂
Susan Portelli
I loved this recipe so much
Amy
Thanks Susan 🙂