Cheesy Cauliflower tater tots are cauliflower fritters made with leftover mashed cauliflower. You can also make them from scratch easily in less than 30 minutes. Makes a delicious vegetarian appetizer.
These Cauliflower fritters, aka cauliflower tater tots, are tiny cauliflower bites that have cauliflower mash with seasonings when shaped like tiny tots and fried to a crispy outer layer. You can shape them like tots or hashbrowns, disc-shaped, etc. In the shape of tots, they are great as finger foods. You can also easily customize them to vegan by eliminating cheese and dairy products.
Cauliflower Tots (Cauliflower Fritters)
Cauliflower fritters or tots are a tasty appetizer or side dish that's a bit like regular tater tots but with a healthy twist. Instead of using all potatoes, they have cauliflower, a crunchy vegetable.
This makes them a great option to sneak some veggies into your meals. You can make these cauliflower tots with only cauliflower or add potatoes to them.
These little bites are usually in the shape of mini cylinders, and they're often baked or fried to get them crispy on the outside while staying tender on the inside. Cauliflower tater tots or fritters might be significant for a yummy and veggie-packed treat.
Cauliflower Fritters (Cauliflower Tots)
Ingredients You'll Need
Cauliflower mashed - a large cauliflower head (leftover mashed cauliflower)
Grated or shredded mozzarella cheese
For binding - breadcrumbs + cornstarch
Seasonings - garlic powder, onion powder, Italian seasoning, chili flakes, paprika, and cayenne pepper (optional), salt, and pepper
Instructions
Prepare cauliflower mash mixture
Wash and clean the cauliflower head and cut into florets. Simmer the florets in boiling water for 3 - 5 minutes or until soft and tender. Once done, remove from hot water and let it cool to room temperature. Wipe it with a clean paper napkin or air dry it for at least some time.
Add it to a food processor jar and pulse until the florets are mashed. Transfer the mashed cauliflower to a large mixing bowl. Add flour, seasonings, herbs, grated cheese, and bread crumbs to the bowl. Mix well and make a dough-like mixture. Refrigerate the mixture for 20 - 30 minutes, allowing them to set a little.
Divide them into equal balls of small lemons. Grease palms with 1 tsp oil & shape the balls as you wish.
Heat oil in a pan and deep fry the tots or fritters until golden brown and crispy. Don't overcrowd the basket and make them in batches with 8 - 10 tots at a time. Remove and place on absorbent paper to remove excess oil from it. Serve with any of your favorite dips.
Baked in oven
Grease the baking tray and preheat the oven to 400ยฐ F. Place the tots on the tray and bake for 25 - 30 minutes, flipping them halfway through. Remove when you reach the desired crispiness/ doneness of the tots.
Bake in the air fryer.
Preheat the air fryer to 400ยฐ F. Place the tater tots in the air fryer basket. Spray a little oil on top of the tots. Air fry for 12 minutes or until the fritters' desired doneness. Flip the tots carefully through halfway at 6 minutes. Remove when done and serve them hot with any dips.
Similar Recipes
Cauliflower Fritters/ Cauliflower Tots
Cheesy Cauliflower Fritters (Cauliflower Tots)
Equipment
- 1 Frying Pan or oven/ air fryer
- 1 Spatula or baking tray
Ingredients
- 2 cup mashed cauliflower leftover or fresh 1 large cauliflower head
- ยผ cup breadcrumbs
- 2 tbsp cornstarch
- ยฝ tsp salt or as taste
- 2 garlic clove minced or ยฝ tsp garlic powder
- 1 chili flakes finely chopped
- 1 tsp onion powder 1 small onion finely chopped
- ยฝ tsp paprika
- ยผ tsp cayenne pepper
- 1 tsp lemon juice
- ยฝ cup grated cheese
- 1 cup oil
Instructions
Mash the cauliflower
- Wash and clean the cauliflower head and cut into florets.
- Simmer the florets in boiling water for 3 - 5 minutes or till it's cooked soft and tender.
- Once done, remove from hot water and let it cool down to room temperature.
- Wipe with a clean paper napkin or air dry for some time at least.
- Add them to a food processor jar and pulse it till the florets are mashed.
- Transfer the mashed cauliflower to a large mixing bowl.
- To the bowl add flour, seasonings, herbs, grated cheese, and breadcrumbs.
- Mix well and make a dough like mixture.
- Refregerate the mixture for 20 - 30 minutes allowing them to set a little.
- Divide them into equal balls of small lemons.
- Grease palms with 1 tsp oil & shape the balls as per your wish.
- Heat oil in a pan and deep fry the tots or fritters till it's golden brown and crispy.
- Don't overcrowd the basket and make them in batches with 8 - 10 tots at a time.
- Remove and place on absorbent paper to remove excess oil from it.
- Serve with any of your favorite dips.
Baked in oven
- Grease the baking tray and preheat the oven at 400ยฐ F.
- Place the tots on the tray and bake for 25 - 30 minutes flipping them halfway through.
- Remove when reach the desired crispiness/ doneness of the tots.
Bake in the air fryer
- Preheat the air fryer at 400ยฐ F.
- Place the tater tots in the air fryer basket.
- Spray a little oil on top of the tots.
- Air fry for 12 minutes or till reach the desired doneness of the fritters.
- Flip the tots carefully through halfway at 6 minutes.
- Remove when done and serve them hot with any dips.
Nutrition
If you like the recipes and want to stay updated, subscribe via email. Also, I would request you to like and share my Facebook Page. Follow My Dainty Kitchen on Twitter, Instagram, and Pinterest.
PIN IT FOR LATER
Leave a Comment (And a 5 Star Rating)