Baked zucchini tots are one of our most popular zucchini recipes. And one of our most delicious.
Summer is in high season and we are blessed to have great farmers markets. This past Saturday we visited one of our favorite markets in Elkhart Lake. While walking along, out of the corner of my eye I saw the most beautiful zucchini that I have ever seen. Without any hesitation I snatched it up and smuggled it back to our little cottage in the middle of Nowhere, Wisconsin.
To be honest with you, I haven’t made much with zucchini. Of course I have made zucchini bread, however I wasn’t in the mood for that. I wanted to make something that would be served with dinner and something that the kids would eat. Because we were at the cottage, I did not want to make a big fuss, or mess. I wanted something simple to make.
I don’t know about your kids, but if I were to say the word zucchini, ours would say, "No thank you." Whatever was to be made with this glorious vegetable, it would have to be something that would be familiar and something that they would want to eat. Dan's sister, Chef Kathy, had send us some great ideas for summer foods and after looking at some of her suggestions, there it appeared right before me: Zucchini Tots. Genius!
The overall preparation for this side dish is very easy. All of the ingredients were already in our pantry and it was assembled very quickly.
As the zucchini tots cooked in the oven, the interest of the all of the kids, both young and old, was peaked due to the delicious aromas that filled the kitchen. Then I heard from the other room, “Are they ready yet?” A smile came over my face and I knew that these zucchini tots would replace those frozen tater tots that the kids have on occasion. Please don’t judge me for not telling the kids that this new tot was good for them too.
Next time you are offered a zucchini from a friend’s garden, or you are walking through a farmers market and you see a zucchini, pick it up and give this recipe a try, you're going to love these. -Scott
Ingredients
- 2 cups grated zucchini
- 2 eggs
- ½ half medium size onion diced
- ½ cup Italian bread crumbs
- ½ cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 2 tablespoons panko bread crumbs
- salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
- Using cooking spray, grease a mini muffin pan and set aside.
- Using a box grater, shred the zucchini being certain to watch your knuckles :).
- Take a kitchen towel and lay it flat on the counter.
- Spread shredded zucchini on the kitchen towel and sprinkle with a little salt.
- Let the zucchini stand for approximately 15 minutes.
- Carefully lift the towel and take to kitchen sink.
- Bunch up the towel and squeeze out excess water from the zucchini.
- In a mixing bowl combine the zucchini, eggs, onion, Italian bread crumbs, cheese and salt and pepper to to taste.
- Using a teaspoon fill the muffin pan up evenly.
- Take the back of the teaspoon and flatten the tops of the mixture.
- Sprinkle with panko bread crumbs.
- Bake for approximately 15-18 minutes or until browned.
- You may need to run a knife around the tot to remove from the pan.
- Enjoy.
Judy
I made these today for dinner as a side. They are delicious. They taste so much better then tator tots. One recipe makes 24 mini tots.
Dan from Platter Talk
Thanks for the feedback, Judy. Our favorite type of comment here!
Maddi'sMommy
I have an obsession with poppable bite size foods. These look delicious! 🙂
Scott from Platter Talk
They are delicious. Pick up a zucchini and give this recipe a try.
Liz Mays
OH my yummy goodness! I love that they're bite-sized!
Scott from Platter Talk
You can have as many of these as you want. They are good for you. 🙂
Krystal Butherus
Oh wow, these look so good! I would love to try this recipe.
Scott from Platter Talk
I hope you do give these a try. If you do, stop back and let me know what you think.
mail4rosey
They look so tiny and tasty. I bet it's one of those little things that wallops a big impact. Pinning.
Scott from Platter Talk
These are so simple to make and they do have big flavor. Hope you give them a try. -Scott
Meal Plannin Maven
What a great way to get kids to eat more veggies...so healthy and FUN!
Housewife Eclectic
These sound amazing! I have a huge zucchini sitting on my counter that is just begging to become tots!
Scott from Platter Talk
Get out your box grater and start making those tots. 🙂 -Scott
Caitlin Fore
What an adorable name and recipe! I absolutely love this! I've got to try it! Pinning it now:)
Scott from Platter Talk
Thanks for stopping by. I know that you will love these when you make them. -Scott
Renee Paj
Simple food is often the best of all foods! Love this idea. I'd snack on this in the afternoon!
Scott from Platter Talk
These would be a great snack, or a great side, or just great! Hope you give them a try. -Scott
Aunt Bee
This is a wonderful idea! My kids will DEVOUR these! (And so will we!)
Scott from Platter Talk
Give them a try and let us know what you think. I think you will love them. -Scott
Nicole Burkholder
What a great way to disguise the green veggies a bit 🙂 I'm going to make these very soon!
Scott from Platter Talk
The kids enjoyed these tots very much. It is a nice way to get the kids to eat their vegetables.