Broccoli Tots

These gluten free Broccoli Tots are easy, delicious, and a veggie-loaded version of the classic tot so many of us grew up on. The combo of broccoli with cheese is the perfect flavor combination. You and your family are going to love these!

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This recipe was inspired by my daughter’s love of broccoli. Crazy I know and I can promise you she didn’t come out of the womb loving this green cruciferous veggie. In fact she detested it (like many kids and adults) at first. Pushed it off her plate. Shot it nasty looks when it was served at dinner. Stuck out her lower lip, crossed her arms and *strongly* informed me that she was NOT going to be eating *THAT*. Her broccoli love was born after many, many, many different offerings of broccoli in many different ways before my dear offspring discovered that, hey, broccoli was actually pretty delicious.

And so, to continue fostering her love and interest in the beautiful green and nutrient dense veggie, I started experimenting with broccoli in many different ways. And recently, these easy peasy, silly delicious, gluten free broccoli tots were born.

Health benefits of broccoli

We all know we are *supposed* to eat our green veggies, but what is so special about broccoli?

Broccoli is a nutrition powerhouse and great source of vitamins K and C, folate (folic acid) and also provides potassium, fiber. Heck, there is even 2.6 grams of protein in 1 cup of broccoli (source)

Broccoli can be enjoyed raw or cooked to make it easier on your digestion. And whatever way you prefer to enjoy your broccoli is fine, but cooking your broccoli does change its nutrient profile.

Boiling, microwaving, stir-frying and steaming, alter broccoli’s nutrient composition. These cooking methods have been found to reduce the veggie’s vitamin C, as well as soluble protein and sugar. Steaming appears to help retain as many nutrients as possible (Source).

Tips

• Shaping of these tots may feel a bit tricky at first, but you will get the hang of it! I found that forming the mixture into a ball in the palm of my hand first and then shaping the ball into a tot was the way to go. Just remember, even if they aren’t perfectly shaped, they will still taste delicious!
• Use your food processor to finely chop your cooked broccoli. Just throw the cooked and well-drained broccoli into your food processor with your “S” blade and pulse until the florets are finely chopped. It takes seconds and can help these tots come together in even less time!

Suggested Adaptations

• Cook them on the stove top. Add a little coconut or avocado oil to a skillet on medium heat and cook these tots on all sides until done. Cooking these tots on the stove top gives them a lovely crisp outside and means you don’t have to turn on your oven.
• Replace broccoli with cauliflower. No broccoli on hand or just not ready for green tots? Replace the broccoli with cauliflower in this recipe for another veggie-loaded
• Use traditional breadcrumbs. If gluten free/grain-free isn’t important, replace the almond meal/oat flour with your favorite finely ground bread crumbs.
• Make them in a mini muffin tin. If the whole tot shaping thing just isn’t working or you just don’t want to mess with it, just bake these in a mini muffin tin for broccoli bites!
• Make them dairy-free. There are so many great dairy-free “cheeses” out there these days. Use your favorite (just make sure it is a kind that easily melts) dairy-free cheese instead of the traditional if you like!

Other broccoli recipes you are going to love….

• Instant Pot Beef and Broccoli
• 5-Ingredient Bacon & Broccoli Egg Cups
• One-Sheet Roasted Garlic Salmon & Broccoli
• Glorious Green Veggie Chicken Burgers 

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