Zucchini Tots

There are few foods more basic yet delicious than Tater Tots, but let’s not kid ourselves that said “tots” have a lot of nutritional value. Now, zucchini tots, on the other hand, are actually a relatively healthy food, and they’re decidedly tasty too. Low in calories yet high in antioxidants, vitamins and minerals, these zucchini tots are a side dish that parents will feel good about serving—and kids won’t fuss about eating.

Parents—and non-parents, of course—also won’t fuss about the fact that these zucchini tots come together with 20 minutes of hands-on work, and they bake up fast in an oven that’s good and hot. Aside from the zucchini itself, you likely have all the ingredients you’ll need at the ready, so why don’t you pop out to the store, and then we’ll get cooking.

Ingredients for Zucchini Tots

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• Shredded zucchini: The main event in this recipe is obviously zucchini, and you’ll need 2 cups, shredded. Choose veggies that are good and firm, and chop the ends off but don’t peel them. (Or stripe the zucchini if you prefer, but leaving some skin on enhances the texture of the finished tots.)
• Eggs: This recipe calls for two large eggs that have been lightly beaten, which is to say they’re fully combined, but not growing lighter and whipped at all. Eggs act as binding agents and also add protein to the tots.
• Onion: Use a white or yellow onion; either way, you want 1/2 cup of grated onion. Its flavor is subtle in these tots, but they would be greatly lacking in taste without this essential ingredient.
• Cheddar cheese: The shredded cheddar cheese adds welcome taste and texture, but it’s not absolutely essential. Which is to say, cheddar is not essential—but the cheese is! You can use Colby, pepper jack or even mozzarella.
• Panko bread crumbs: Opt for panko bread crumbs instead of regular bread crumbs, as the latter will make the zucchini tots come out too dense and without the proper crunch and texture.
• Garlic powder: Garlic powder is potent stuff, so don’t add too much. If you don’t have garlic powder or don’t care for garlic, you can just add a pinch more salt.
• Italian seasoning: If you don’t have a jar of Italian seasoning in your pantry, not to worry—it’s merely a blend of common herbs like basil, rosemary, oregano, thyme and marjoram. And if you want, you can blend up some homemade Italian seasoning.

Directions

Step 1: Prepare the shredded zucchini

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Preheat the oven to 400°F. In large bowl, toss the shredded zucchini and 1/2 teaspoon salt, then let it stand for 10 minutes. Place the zucchini in a dish towel and squeeze out the excess liquid, discarding the liquid.

Step 2: Combine the ingredients

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In a large bowl, combine the egg, onion, cheese, bread crumbs, remaining 1/2 teaspoon salt, pepper, garlic powder and Italian seasoning.

Step 3: Add the zucchini

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Fold the zucchini into the egg mixture in the bowl.

Step 4: Form the tots, then bake

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Working with tablespoon-sized servings of the zucchini mixture, form 1-inch long cylinders, then place them on a parchment-lined baking sheet, about an inch apart. Bake the tots for 15 to 18 minutes, or until the edges are golden brown.

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Zucchini Tot Variations

• Use a half potato blend: If you’re not quite ready to say goodbye to your beloved Tater Tots, do it halfway; use a 50-50 blend of shredded potato and shredded zucchini, then follow the recipe as laid out here.
• Spice it up: If you like some heat when you eat, add a teaspoon of red pepper flakes to the mix as you form these zucchini tots.
• Try different cheeses: We mentioned that trying a cheese other than cheddar was an option, but in fact it’s a good idea; try a different cheese each time you make these tots until you find one you really love.

How to Store Zucchini Tots

Can you freeze zucchini tots?

Zucchini Tot Tips

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Can I bake them in muffin tins?

You can prepare these tots in mini muffin tins, and they’ll come out wonderfully. They’ll be a bit larger, and may require a bit more baking time, but they will be perfectly crisp.

What should I serve with this zucchini tots recipe?

Anything that goes well with Tater Tots will go well with these, so think burgers and brats, grilled cheese sandwiches, a fish fillet and more.

How do I stop the tot mixture from sticking to my fingers?

If the zucchini shreds are sticking to your fingers as you form the tots, fill a bowl with water and keep it on hand. After forming two or three tots, submerge your hands, pat them dry on a dish towel and get right back to it.

Are these a healthy food?

As we said before, these tots are relatively healthy, and they’re certainly not unhealthy. A four-tot serving has about 90 calories, 5 grams of fat, 6 grams of protein and 1 gram of sugar. If you’re watching your sodium, just use less salt, as there are almost 500 milligrams per serving.