Baked Broccoli Tots

Name: Baked Broccoli Tots
Total time: 50 min
Ingredients: Cooking spray; 12 ounces broccoli florets and stems (from 3 small heads), coarsely chopped; 2 large eggs; 2/3 cup panko (Japanese-style breadcrumbs); 1 1/3 ounces Parmesan cheese, grated (about 1/3 cup); 1/4 cup finely chopped scallions (about 3 medium); 1 tablespoon chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley; 1 tablespoon chopped fresh basil; 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt; 1/4 teaspoon black pepper; 1/2 cup heavy whipping cream; 3 ounces extra-sharp Cheddar cheese, finely grated (about 3/4 cup)

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You will never again have trouble getting your family to eat broccoli once you serve these cute, bite-sized baked tots. Use 2 small heads of broccoli or save time and purchase packages of the pre-cut vegetable; since it is finely chopped in the food processor, you can even toss in the stems. Finely chopping the broccoli is key; if the bits are too large, the mixture won't bind together. Prepare the easy cheesy dipping sauce while the tots bake so you can serve them both hot. Make these fun broccoli tots for an appetizer at a game day event or serve them during a family movie night. These baked tots come together quickly, so just pop them in the oven and whip up the cheese sauce as your guests begin to arrive. If you like to plan ahead, you can even make and freeze these ahead of time, then bake when you are ready to serve.

By Southern Living Editors

Published on January 26, 2020

Baked Broccoli Tots — Photo: Jennifer Causey; Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall; Prop Stylist: Heather Chadduck Hillegas

Active Time:

25 mins

Total Time:

50 mins

Yield:

Serves 6 (serving size: 6 tots)

Ingredients

Tots

Cooking spray
12 ounces broccoli florets and stems (from 3 small heads), coarsely chopped
2 large eggs
2/3 cup panko (Japanese-style breadcrumbs)
1 1/3 ounces Parmesan cheese, grated (about 1/3 cup)
1/4 cup finely chopped scallions (about 3 medium)
1 tablespoon chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley
1 tablespoon chopped fresh basil
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper

Cheddar Dipping Sauce

1/2 cup heavy whipping cream
3 ounces extra-sharp Cheddar cheese, finely grated (about 3/4 cup)

Directions

Prepare the Tots: Preheat oven to 400°F. Line a large rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper, and spray with cooking spray. Fill a medium bowl with ice water. Set aside.
Bring a medium saucepan of water to a boil over high. Add broccoli, and cook until bright green, about 2 minutes. Transfer to bowl of ice water, and let chill 5 minutes. Drain well, and pat very dry.
Place broccoli in a food processor, and pulse until finely chopped, about 7 pulses. Transfer to a large bowl, and stir in eggs, panko, Parmesan, scallions, parsley, basil, salt, and pepper until fully combined. Scoop about 1 tablespoon of broccoli mixture into your hands, and gently press into a nugget shape. Place on prepared baking sheet, and repeat with remaining broccoli mixture.
Lightly coat tots with cooking spray, and bake in preheated oven until browned and crispy, 20 to 25 minutes, turning halfway through.
Meanwhile, prepare the Dipping Sauce: Place cream in a 2-cup microwavable measuring cup, and microwave on HIGH until hot, about 1 minute, stirring after 30 seconds. Gradually stir in extra-sharp Cheddar, continuing to stir until melted and smooth. Serve immediately with Tots.