Who else loves zucchini? It’s one of my favorite vegetables! I like that it’s so mellow that it goes with pretty much anything, and it’s so easy to change it up with different flavor combinations. It’s great for baking, and I like to shred it and add it to ground meat for a little extra nutrition. It’s kind of amazing how many recipes you can use it in! These cheesy zucchini tots are a fun twist on tater tots, and are loaded with my favorite vegetable, along with some cheese and garlic to make things extra yummy. They’re super easy and quick to make, with just a few simple ingredients that you probably already have on hand in your pantry!
You’ll start by grating your zucchini into a clean kitchen towel, then squeezing out all of the extra liquid. I’m always shocked by how much water I get out of my zucchini! You’ll want the zucchini to be as dry as possible, so the tots don’t get soggy.
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Once your zucchini is drained, mix it with some eggs, bread crumbs, seasonings, and grated cheese. I used a white cheddar cheese, but I think it would also be delicious with mozzarella. You really can’t go wrong here!
Mix all of that together until it’s all blended.
Next, scoop the zucchini mixture by rounded spoonfuls onto a baking sheet. I used a 1 tablespoon cookie scoop to make things easier, but a teaspoon will work as well.
Finally, bake them in the oven until they’re golden brown and cooked through.
I like to serve them hot with my favorite marinara sauce for dipping. They’re a delicious appetizer or a great side dish for grilled chicken or fish. My kids (who don’t share my love of zucchini) absolutely love these and will eat them any time! They’re one of our favorite side dishes, and I make them frequently during the summer while the zucchini is abundant. You definitely have to try these cheesy zucchini tots!
Zucchini Tots VIDEO:
Cheesy Zucchini Tots
These tots are loaded with shredded zucchini, bread crumbs, and cheese!! It makes for the perfect appetizer served with marinara sauce, or use it as a side dish!
Ingredients
- 1 medium zucchini
- 2 eggs
- 1/4 cup panko bread crumbs
- 1/4 cup regular bread crumbs
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp pepper
- 3/4 tsp garlic powder
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- marinara
Instructions
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Preheat the oven to 400. Line a baking sheet with parchment or spray with cooking spray.
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Grate the zucchini into a clean dish towel. Wrap the towel up and squeeze out as much liquid as possible.
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In a large bowl, stir together the zucchini, eggs, panko, bread crumbs, salt, pepper, garlic powder, and cheese.
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Scoop by rounded spoonfuls onto the prepared baking sheet. Bake 20-25 minutes, or until golden brown. Serve warm with marinara sauce for dipping.
Thanks for sharing this recipe, Alicia! I’m already drooling over these tots… For more amazing recipes, visit her over at The Baker Upstairs.
Here’s another delicious (and of course, cheesy) appetizer for you to try:
For more yummy zucchini recipes, check out these:
ENJOY!
Zucchini tots are so yummy! Thanks for sharing. I need to try this version!
thank you for this recipe! What a nice way to eat zucchini, either for kids or adults, love the panko too!
These are baking in the oven now and smell amazing! Great way to use up my zucchini from the garden. We were getting tired of zucchini bread/muffins around here. 🙂
Yay, thank you for trying them!! It’s great to change things up!
I look forward to trying these soon. Have you tried chilling and reheating them? Thinking about take-to-school lunches.
I have not, but I think they would be fine. They’d probably be great for lunches!! Let me know what you think! Thank you
Hi! Love this recipe, we included it in our recent blog post here! 🙂
http://www.catchingfirefliesgifts.com/blog/2017/08/zucchini-seven-different-ways/
I’m wondering if these could be frozen and reheated? Would be nice to extend the zucchini season some.
I haven’t tried, but I think they would be fine 🙂 Yes, it would be nice! If you try freezing them, let us know how they reheat. Thanks!
About how many cups of zucchini did you use? My zucchini is huge!!
You could use half or double the recipe & use the whole one. I can’t remember how many cups it was, but the amount doesn’t have to be exact. If you have more or less, it’s ok. I’m sorry, hope that helps! Let me know what you think 🙂
Have u tried replacing the bread crumbs with something like almond flour or coconut flour. Something lower carb is what I am looking for but that maybe my son will eat. Haha
I haven’t, but it’s worth a try 🙂 If you try it, let me know how they turn out..thanks!
Just made these and I had to leave a comment about how delicious they were! I used mozzarella and they came out excellent. Also ate it with pizza sauce because that’s what I had open. Excellent recipe and I will definitely make again and share with family and friends.
Sounds great!! I’m glad you liked them! I’ll have to try with pizza sauce! Thanks!
I thought these were too salty so I made them a second time without adding salt, traded out the cheddar for parmesan, yummy!
My husband likes them very much which is a blessing considering the amount of zucchini I have been harvesting from the garden. Thanks for this great new way to use up the zucchini!!
You are so welcome! How fun to have a garden! Thank you 🙂
Can you freeze these?
I’m sure they’d do great. I personally haven’t, but I don’t see why not 🙂 Hope you like them!
I made this and I thought they were delicious. It was hard not to eat them all and don’t leave any for my toddler ????. I just have a question: Do you have any suggestions on how to reheat this nuggets? They were awesome right out of the oven for dinner, but they felt tough the next day.
Hmm, that’s a hard one. I would either stick them in a low oven or possibly a microwave. What did you do the first time? I haven’t personally re-heated them, next day. I know they won’t be as good as fresh.
Can you substitute pork rinds for the bread crumbs to make it low carb? I’m starting a low carb way of eating.
I haven’t tried, but there’s only one way to find out 😉 I’d love to know!
I made them for dinner last night and they taste great. So easy to make too! Thanks for sharing your recipe!
You are so welcome..glad to share! I am glad you liked them!
I’ve made these several times and love them. Today I made then with mozzarella cheese and they were great. I used half the salt though. Thanks
I am so happy to hear that! Mozzarella would be yum! Thanks for sharing!
thanks!!!!
thanks
Glad to share 🙂
I love regular tator tots but don’t eat them often. Looks delicious! I’m going to try this.
I hope you like this!! I’d love to know what you think, if you do!
While I must leave out the garlic, pepper, and marinara sauce, they are tasty. I used only panko bread crumbs.
I AM thinking about trying to make zucchini patties with these basic INGREDIENTS.
Great idea!! Thank you so much for sharing that!