Three-Cheese Gluten Free Broccoli Tots Recipe (2024)

5 from 2 votes

Easy Broccoli Tots Recipe

With a simple trick, you'll get the crispy, dippable shape in this Cheesy Broccoli Tater Tots recipe without spending a ton of time rolling and shaping. Cheddar cheese, Parmesan cheese, Italian seasonings, and few other common spices give the chopped broccoli so much flavor.

• ▢ 4 cups broccoli cut into florets, about 1 large head
• ▢ 2 large eggs whisked
• ▢ ¾ cup Italian seasoned breadcrumbs gluten-free if needed
• ▢ ½ cup Cheddar cheese finely shredded
• ▢ ¼ cup Parmesan cheese grated
• ▢ 1 tsp. salt to taste
• ▢ ¼ tsp. black pepper
• ▢ ¼ tsp. garlic powder
• ▢ ¼ tsp. paprika

• Preheat oven to 400 degrees.

• Boil Broccoli: Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Once boiling, add a steamer basket full of the broccoli into the pot. Cover pot with a lid and reduce heat to medium. Steam for 4-5 minutes or until broccoli is bright green.

  4 cups broccoli

• Finely Chop Broccoli: Let broccoli sit at room temperature for a few minutes before adding to a food processor fitted with an S-blade. Pulse broccoli 20-30 times, scraping down the side halfway through, or until a fine crumb forms and there are no pieces bigger than ¼”.

• Make Broccoli Tot Mixture: Add broccoli to a large bowl and along with the whisked eggs, breadcrumbs, Cheddar cheese, Parmesan cheese, salt, pepper, garlic powder, and paprika. Mix with a spatula until well combined.

  2 large eggs, ¾ cup Italian seasoned breadcrumbs, ½ cup Cheddar cheese, ¼ cup Parmesan cheese, 1 tsp. salt, ¼ tsp. black pepper, ¼ tsp. garlic powder, ¼ tsp. paprika

• Bake in Dish: Line a 9x9-inch baking dish with a piece of parchment paper. Spritz any exposed areas of the dish with non-stick cooking spray. Add the broccoli tot mixture to the baking dish. Press it down until it is fully compacted with a spatula. Bake the broccoli mixture in the oven for 20 minutes. (Refer to notes if you’d like to make tots the traditional way.)

• Cut into Tots and Bake: Once partially baked, keep the mixture in the baking dish and cut into “tots”- either 6x6 for squares, or 7x5 for a more classic rectangular shape. Add the tots to a large baking sheet lined with parchment paper, with the side of the tot that was originally on the bottom of the baking dish now facing up. Continue baking for an additional 10-15 minutes, or until crispy.

• Serve tots with a sprinkle of finely chopped fresh parsley and a side of ketchup. Enjoy!

5 from 2 votes

To Make Tater Tots the Traditional Way: Roll 1 ½ to 2 tablespoons-sized balls of the mixture into a ball and then form into a tot shape. Place on a parchment paper-lined baking sheet. Repeat with remaining mixture and space evenly on pan. Bake tots for 25-30 minutes, flipping halfway through, or until tots are golden brown.

Prep-Ahead Instructions:

You can boil the broccoli the day before. Save even more time by mixing the ingredients and keeping them in the fridge until you're ready to bake.

Storage Directions:

If you have leftovers, store broccoli tots in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 to 4 days. You can freeze broccoli tots. For the best results, flash freeze them in a single layer first then transfer to a freezer-safe bag and keep for up to 6 months. The best way to reheat broccoli tots is to pop them back in oven or toaster oven or add them to a skillet with butter. You can also use the air fryer. Avoid the microwave as they will get soggy and lose their appeal.

Recipe Tips:

• Go fresh. Avoid frozen broccoli as there is too much liquid in them.
• Make it yours.You can use whatever seasonings you prefer in these easy baked broccoli tots.
• Dip away. Choose your favorite sauce when you're ready to dig in.
• You choose.Save time by baking these slightly then cutting, or roll them into traditional tot shapes at the start.
• Double up.If you have a ton of broccoli, make a big batch of homemade tots and freeze some for an easy side another night.