Description
Make crispy, cheesy broccoli tots in your air fryer. This recipe yields a firm, flavorful side dish or appetizer.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 cups finely chopped cooked broccoli florets, squeezed dry
- 1/2 cup shredded Parmesan cheese
- 1/4 cup breadcrumbs (Panko recommended for crispiness)
- 1 large egg, lightly beaten
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/8 teaspoon black pepper
- Cooking spray (oil-based)
Instructions
- Prepare the broccoli: Steam or boil the broccoli until tender. Cool it completely, then press out as much moisture as possible using a clean kitchen towel or paper towels. Excess moisture prevents crisping.
- Combine ingredients: In a medium bowl, mix the dried broccoli, Parmesan cheese, breadcrumbs, egg, flour, garlic powder, salt, and pepper until everything is well combined and holds together.
- Shape the tots: Scoop about 1 tablespoon of the mixture and roll it firmly between your palms to form a small tot shape, about 1.5 inches long. Place the formed tots on a parchment-lined tray.
- Chill (optional but recommended): Place the tray of tots in the freezer for 15 minutes. This helps them firm up and prevents them from falling apart during cooking.
- Preheat the air fryer: Preheat your air fryer to 380°F (195°C) for 5 minutes.
- Cook the tots: Lightly spray the air fryer basket with cooking spray. Arrange the tots in a single layer in the basket, ensuring they do not touch. Work in batches if necessary.
- Spray the tops of the tots lightly with cooking spray.
- Air fry for 10 to 12 minutes, flipping them halfway through the cooking time.
- Continue cooking until the tots are golden brown and crispy on the outside.
- Serve immediately with your preferred dipping sauce.
Notes
- Squeezing the moisture from the cooked broccoli is the most important step for crispy tots.
- For extra crispiness, you can lightly roll the formed tots in a small amount of extra breadcrumbs before air frying.
- If the mixture seems too wet to hold a shape, add 1 more tablespoon of flour or breadcrumbs.
- Serve with ranch dressing or a light marinara sauce.
- Prep Time: 15 min
- Cook Time: 12 min
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: Air Frying
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 3 tots
- Calories: 120
- Sugar: 1
- Sodium: 250
- Fat: 6
- Saturated Fat: 3
- Unsaturated Fat: 3
- Trans Fat: 0
- Carbohydrates: 12
- Fiber: 2
- Protein: 7
- Cholesterol: 30