Air Fryer Broccoli Tots Cheddar (View Print Version)

Crispy, cheesy broccoli bites made quickly and easily with sharp cheddar and a golden air-fried finish.

# What You'll Need:

→ Vegetables

01 - 2 cups broccoli florets, about 1 medium head
02 - 1 small onion, finely chopped

→ Dairy

03 - 1 cup sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
04 - 1 large egg

→ Dry Ingredients

05 - 2/3 cup panko breadcrumbs
06 - 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
07 - 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
08 - 1/2 teaspoon salt
09 - 1/4 teaspoon black pepper

# Method:

01 - Set air fryer to 375°F and preheat for 3 minutes.
02 - Bring a medium pot of salted water to boil. Add broccoli florets and blanch for 2 minutes. Drain and rinse with cold water, then pat dry with paper towels.
03 - Finely chop the broccoli or pulse in a food processor until texture resembles rice.
04 - In a large bowl, combine chopped broccoli, onion, cheddar cheese, egg, panko, flour, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Mix thoroughly until well combined and mixture holds together.
05 - Scoop approximately 1 tablespoon of mixture and shape into small cylinder forms. Repeat with remaining mixture to create about 20 tots.
06 - Lightly spray the air fryer basket with cooking oil. Arrange tots in a single layer, leaving space between each piece.
07 - Air fry for 12 to 15 minutes, turning halfway through, until golden brown and crisp.
08 - Remove tots from air fryer and serve hot with your preferred dipping sauce.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • They taste indulgent and crispy without deep frying, so you get that satisfaction guilt-free.
  • Kids actually beg for seconds, which means you've won half the battle with picky eaters.
  • The air fryer does most of the work while you do something else, no standing and flipping required.
02 -
  • Skipping the blanching step seems like a time saver but leads to watery tots that steam instead of crisping, so resist the temptation.
  • Not drying the broccoli thoroughly after blanching creates the same problem, so use paper towels generously.
  • Overcrowding the air fryer basket is the number one way to end up with pale instead of golden results.
03 -
  • If your mixture feels too wet after mixing, add a tablespoon more panko instead of more flour, which keeps them lighter and crispier.
  • Shaping goes faster if you wet your hands slightly with cool water, preventing the mixture from sticking while you work.
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