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Cheesy Cauliflower Tater Tots

Are you ready for the best ever cauliflower tater tots?!

Baked cauliflower tots stuffed with cheese and served with a spicy dipping sauce (optional, yet highly suggested).

They’re the best veggie-packed snack!

A front shot of a plate of cauliflower tots with ketchup dipping sauce.

How to make cheesy cauliflower tater tots

For cauliflower tots:

  • Cauliflower: You’ll want to buy a bag of riced cauliflower (fresh or frozen), but you can also buy florets or a head of cauliflower and rice and steam it yourself.
  • Eggs: They hold the tots together.
  • Cheddar: Shredded cheddar to give these cauliflower bites little ooey gooey cheesy bits.
  • Panko breadcrumbs: Used as a binder with the eggs.
  • Spices: Garlic and onion powder, salt and black pepper.

For the spicy dipping sauce:

  • Mayonnaise: The creamy base for this spicy dipping sauce.
  • Hot sauce: A few swigs will make this dip spicy and loaded with flavor.
  • Pickle relish: Briny pickley goodness, no other explanation needed.
  • Whole grain mustard: Flavor and texture!
  • Garlic: Again, flavor.
A front shot of cauliflower tater tots lined on a baking sheet.

Step-by-Step Instructions

  1. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Set aside.
  2. Steam the bag of riced cauliflower according to package directions.
  3. Let slightly cool before handling.
  4. Transfer the steamed riced cauliflower to a large kitchen towel and squeeze to drain water.
  5. Transfer the dried cauliflower rice to a medium mixing bowl.
  6. Whisk in eggs, cheese, breadcrumbs, salt, onion powder, garlic powder and black pepper until very well combined.
  7. Scoop about 1-2 tablespoon(s) of the cauliflower mixture and press then roll into tator tot shape with your hands.
  8. Place on the baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
  9. Repeat with the remaining mixture and place tots about 2 inches apart.
  10. Bake 15-18 minutes, until tots are firm and golden brown.
  11. Allow to slightly cool.
  12. In a small mixing bowl, whisk together the dipping sauce ingredients until well-combined.
An overhead shot of a plate of cauliflower tots with ketchup for dipping.

Recipe Substitutions and Alterations

  • For the cauliflower: If you don’t have a bag of riced cauliflower, you can cut a head into florets (or buy a bag of freshly chopped florets) and steam them.
    • Rice them in a food processor, then squeeze the water out with a towel until very dry.
  • Try with a different veggie: Try riced broccoli, zucchini, sweet potatoes or white potatoes.
  • Instead of cheddar: Try any shredded cheese you have on hand.
  • For the mustard: Use Dijon if you don’t have whole grain.

Nutrition Considerations

  • To make these gluten free: Use gluten free panko breadcrumbs.
    • Be sure all ingredients you choose are gluten free.
  • To make these dairy free: Skip the cheese or use dairy free cheese.
  • To make these nut free: This recipe does not contain nuts.
    • Be sure all ingredients you choose are nut free.
A front shot of a plate of cauliflower tater tots being dipped in ketchup.

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Cheesy Cauliflower Tater Tots

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Baked cauliflower tots stuffed with cheese and spices and served with spicy dipping sauce.

  • Author: Julie Andrews
  • Prep Time: 10-15 mins
  • Cook Time: 15-20 mins
  • Total Time: 25-35 mins
  • Yield: Makes 18 tots 1x
  • Category: Dinner, Snack, Appetizer
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American

Ingredients

Units Scale

Cauliflower Tots:

  • 12-ounce bag of frozen riced cauliflower
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese
  • 1/4 cup panko breadcrumbs
  • 1/2 teaspoon each coarse salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper

Spicy Dipping Sauce:

  • 1/4 cup mayonnaise
  • 12 tablespoons hot sauce
  • 1 tablespoon chopped dill pickles
  • 2 teaspoons Dijon or whole grain mustard
  • 1 clove garlic, peeled and minced

Instructions

  1. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Set aside.
  2. Steam the bag of riced cauliflower according to package directions. Let slightly cool before handling.
  3. Transfer the steamed riced cauliflower to a large kitchen towel and squeeze to drain water. Transfer the dried cauliflower rice to a medium mixing bowl.
  4. Whisk in eggs, cheese, breadcrumbs, salt, onion powder, garlic powder and black pepper until very well combined.
  5. Scoop about 1-2 tablespoon(s) of the cauliflower mixture and press then roll into tator tot shape with your hands. Place on the baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Repeat with the remaining mixture and place tots about 2 inches apart.
  6. Bake 15-18 minutes, until tots are firm and golden brown. Allow to slightly cool.
  7. In a small mixing bowl, whisk together the dipping sauce ingredients until well-combined.

Notes

Recipe Alteration Tip: Add a few tablespoons of cooked chopped bacon, if desired.

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 6 tots
  • Calories: 298
  • Sugar: 1g
  • Sodium: 538mg
  • Fat: 23g
  • Saturated Fat: 4g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 19g
  • Trans Fat: 0g
  • Carbohydrates: 10g
  • Fiber: 3g
  • Protein: 11g
  • Cholesterol: 133mg

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