Description
These crispy cauliflower tater tots are a healthy and delicious alternative to traditional potato tots. Made with steamed cauliflower, a blend of spices, and coated in fine breadcrumbs or almond flour, they bake up golden and crunchy. Perfect as a low-carb appetizer or side dish, they’re easy to prepare and suitable for various dietary preferences.
Ingredients
Scale
Cauliflower Tots
- 4 cups cauliflower florets (340g)
- 1 1/2 tsp baking powder
- 1/3 cup flour (40g) (spelt, white, oat, gluten free all purpose, sorghum, or almond flour)
- 1 tsp dried oregano (optional)
- 1/4 tsp garlic powder
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 cup fine breadcrumbs (30g) or almond flour
Instructions
- Prepare baking surface: Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or grease your air fryer tray to prevent sticking.
- Steam cauliflower: Steam cauliflower florets until they become fall-apart soft. Drain fully and set aside to cool.
- Preheat oven or air fryer: Preheat the oven to 425°F (218°C) or heat the air fryer to its closest temperature to 425°F.
- Mix dry ingredients: In a small bowl, combine baking powder, garlic powder, salt, flour, and optional oregano.
- Drain cauliflower moisture: Place the cooled cauliflower in a clean dish towel or cheesecloth over a sink or bowl. Squeeze out as much liquid as possible to avoid sogginess.
- Mash cauliflower and combine: Mash the cauliflower with a fork or potato masher until smooth. Stir in the dry spice mixture thoroughly. If the mixture is too dry, add a little water slowly until consistency is right.
- Shape tots: Form the mixture into traditional tater tot shapes with your hands. Roll each tot in fine breadcrumbs or almond flour to coat.
- Cook tots: Place tots on the prepared baking sheet or arrange in the air fryer basket. Bake for 25 minutes or until lightly browned and crispy. Alternatively, air fry for 10 minutes or until desired crispiness, shaking the basket halfway through.
- Serve: Serve hot as a side dish or appetizer, optionally with your favorite toppings or dips.
- Store leftovers: Let tots cool completely before refrigerating any leftovers in a covered container for up to five days.
Notes
- Steaming cauliflower until very soft is key to achieving a smooth mash and tender texture.
- Squeezing out excess moisture prevents soggy tots and helps them hold their shape during cooking.
- Fine breadcrumbs or almond flour works well for coating; choose gluten-free options if needed.
- Both baking and air frying methods produce crispy results; air fryer cooks faster.
- Optional dried oregano adds a nice herbal note but can be omitted.
- For best texture, serve tots immediately after cooking.
- Leftover tots can be reheated in the oven or air fryer to regain crispiness.
