Description
At its heart, this recipe is a fresh, vegetable-centered twist on traditional potato tater tots. Instead of relying on shredded potatoes, Crispy Baked Broccoli Tots with Garlic Dip showcase finely chopped steamed broccoli as the star ingredient. The tender vegetable pieces are mixed together with beaten egg, shredded cheddar cheese, grated Parmesan, breadcrumbs, minced garlic, and warm spices before being shaped into small cylinders and baked until crispy.
Ingredients
For the broccoli tots
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2 cups broccoli florets, finely chopped
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1 large egg
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½ cup shredded cheddar cheese
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½ cup breadcrumbs
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2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese
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2 cloves garlic, minced
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¼ teaspoon onion powder
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½ teaspoon paprika
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¼ teaspoon black pepper
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½ teaspoon salt, or to taste
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1 tablespoon olive oil
For the creamy garlic dip
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½ cup mayonnaise
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¼ cup plain Greek yogurt or sour cream
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2 cloves garlic, finely minced
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1 teaspoon lemon juice
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1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley
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Salt and black pepper, to taste
Instructions
Step 1: Prepare the broccoli
Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
Steam the broccoli florets for 3–4 minutes until just tender. Drain thoroughly, allow them to cool, and finely chop them. Use a clean kitchen towel to squeeze out as much moisture as possible.
Step 2: Mix the ingredients
In a large bowl, combine the chopped broccoli, egg, cheddar cheese, breadcrumbs, Parmesan, minced garlic, onion powder, paprika, salt, and black pepper. Mix until the ingredients hold together when pressed.
Step 3: Shape the tots
Scoop about 1 tablespoon of the mixture at a time. Shape each portion into a small cylindrical tot and place it on the prepared baking sheet, leaving a little space between each one.
Step 4: Bake until crispy
Lightly brush or spray the tots with olive oil. Bake for 20–25 minutes, turning them halfway through, until golden brown and crisp around the edges.
For extra crispiness, broil for an additional 1–2 minutes, watching carefully to prevent burning.
Step 5: Make the garlic dip
In a small bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, Greek yogurt, minced garlic, lemon juice, parsley, salt, and black pepper. Refrigerate for 10–15 minutes to allow the flavors to blend.
Step 6: Serve
Transfer the hot broccoli tots to a serving plate and serve immediately with the chilled garlic dip.
Notes
Enjoy these crispy broccoli tots as a party appetizer, an after-school snack, or a side dish with grilled chicken, sandwiches, or veggie burgers.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 5 tots with garlic dip
- Calories: 280 kcal
Keywords: baked broccoli tots with garlic sauce, crispy broccoli tots with dip, homemade broccoli tater tots, healthy baked broccoli bites