Air Fryer Broccoli Tots (Printer-friendly)

Crunchy broccoli tots with cheddar, cooked to golden perfection in an air fryer. Great for snacks or sides.

# Required Ingredients:

→ 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

# How-To Steps:

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 it resembles rice-sized pieces.
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 about 1 tablespoon of mixture per tot and shape into small cylinder forms. Repeat with remaining mixture.
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 crispy.
08 - Remove tots from air fryer and serve immediately with your favorite dipping sauce.

# Expert Suggestions:

01 -
  • Kids actually eat their vegetables without complaint when they're shaped like tots and coated in melted cheddar.
  • The air fryer does all the work while you sit down, no oil splatters or constant watching required.
  • Twenty minutes from start to crispy finish means you can have these ready faster than driving to pick up takeout.
02 -
  • Wet broccoli is the number one reason batches fall apart, so really pat those florets dry after blanching no matter how tedious it feels in the moment.
  • If your mixture seems too wet even after drying the broccoli, add another tablespoon or two of panko rather than flour, which can make them heavy.
03 -
  • Don't skip the blanching step even though it feels like an extra task—it's the difference between crispy tots and dense little hockey pucks.
  • If you find your mixture is hard to shape because it's too crumbly, chill it in the fridge for fifteen minutes and it'll come together like a dream.
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