Air Fryer Tater Tots or Broccoli Tots are a kid friendly vegetarian snack, entrée or appetizer recipe. Made without any breadcrumbs, these tater tots are a healthier take on the classic recipe without deep frying. Bonus - Tastier way to eat Broccoli!
These appetizers make a great snack for kids lunch box at school. The recipe does not contain pungent spices or heat. It is nut-free, gluten-free and vegan.
By the way, these are not only kid-friendly but are quite popular among adults. These air fryer tater tots make a delicious choice for game nights or entertaining.
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About Tater Tots and its Origin
Originated in the year 1953, these are popular frozen snack that is bite size, cylindrical in shape and made with potatoes. Deep fried, these are highly addictive snack that is loved by all - kids and adults, included.
In Canada, these are called "Tasti Taters". In Australia and New Zealand, these are popular by the name of "potato pom-poms" or "potato gems". These are generally served with a side of tomato sauce or ketchup, garlic aioli and even mayonnaise.
Tater Tots are quite popular American Fast food staple in school cafeterias. They are found in frozen section of leading supermarkets and grocery stores. Source
Why you must try this recipe?
- Made from scratch with loads of Broccoli
- No breadcrumbs
- Gluten free and Vegan
- Contains No Nuts or Seeds
- And the best part - No Deep frying!
How we made these Tater Tots healthy and Kid Friendly
This recipe uses very few ingredients, is not spicy as I have tested the recipe keeping kids palate in mind. These can be packed for school lunches and served as after school snack.
These can be made-ahead, is freezer-friendly and far better than store bought frozen snacks. These are low in sodium, contains no preservatives or additives.
Traditionally tater tots are made crunchy and crispy with breadcrumbs and/or flour. However, in this recipe, I have included neither breadcrumbs, flour nor any eggs. It is 100% vegetarian, vegan, soy-free and gluten free.
These air fryer tater tots contains kids favorite "potatoes" in them but I have also added a good amount of broccoli. This is a great way to include some of their not-so-favorite vegetables and watch them wipe their snack plates clean.
These tater tots have a soft texture. For crispy, crunchy exterior, make a slurry of cornflour (cornstarch) and water, dip the tots in them and then roll them in breadcrumbs before air frying. You can double coat with flour and breadcrumbs for crispier texture.
Note - Do not compare Air Fryer Snacks with Deep fried ones. I always tend to mention this in most of my blog posts. As someone who has been using this appliance since the last 3-4 years, I can only say that it helped us enjoy some of our favourite snacks at home without loads of oil and guilt! In my book, this is a total win-win.
Ingredients
Broccoli - To be steamed, cooled and finely chopped.
Potatoes - Boiled and Grated. For soft tater tots, always grate the potatoes instead of mashing them. This is applicable for potato cakes, fritters and even patties while making burgers.
Salt + Black Pepper - This recipe uses no spices or chilli flakes. You can add spices like garam masala powder, paprika or any seasoning of your choice, if making for older kids and adults.
Herbs (Mint and Cilantro) - Adjust the quantity of herbs according to your preference. It adds a bit of green color to the tater tots.
Olive Oil for Air Frying - I use an oil spray while air frying or baking. It spreads evenly on the food surface + quick and no-mess!
Variations
Tater tots with cauliflower - You can replace broccoli with cauliflower. The process of cooking remains the same. If you want to mask the smell of steamed cauliflower, try adding few spices like curry powder or garam masala powder.
I have excluded onions from the recipe. You can add chopped onions (scallions or red onions) in the mix, especially when serving for adults.
Steamed Corn and Peas - I would recommend mashing or finely chopping these ingredients, especially for kids or toddlers to prevent choking.
Sweet Potatoes instead of regular Potatoes for the added fibre.
Carrots - Steamed, mashed or grated as per choice.
I have NOT included Cheese in this recipe as its dairy-free or vegan. If you love cheese, add some grated cheddar cheese or stuff the tots with a cube of mozzarella cheese.
Roasted and coarsely ground nuts like almonds or cashews can be added. If you are not allergic to peanuts, you can add them too.
Step by Step Instructions
Cut and Steam the Broccoli florets until they are tender.
Allow it to cool and then finely chop them, add to a bowl.
Boil, Peel and grate the potatoes. Add chopped herbs, salt and black pepper powder. Mix well.
Shape them into small cylindrical tots and refrigerate for atleast 30 minutes.
Note - If you are not making these immediately, store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for a couple of days or in the freezer until you are ready to Air Fry.
Preheat the Air Fryer at 200 Degree Celsius for 5 minutes. Spray oil and place the tater tots.
Air Fry them at 180 Degree Celsius for 15 to 20 minutes or until golden brown.
FAQ's
Yes. These are Gluten Free and Vegan. Also, does not contain any nuts.
I would suggest Air Frying the leftovers at 160 Degree Celsius for 5 minutes. Do spray some oil before air frying and after they have been completely thawed.
Store bought frozen tater tots can be thawed and air fried.
Both are traditionally deep fried snacks but if air fried, we can control or cut the amount of oil usage by a huge margin. Also, since we are making the snack from scratch, it is far more healthy, with no additives or preservatives used.
"No Deep Fry" Kid Friendly Snacks to try
Air Fryer French Fries - Serve these as side with their favorite sandwiches or burgers.
Veg Cutlets in Air Fryer - Veggie loaded cutlets that make a filling afternoon snack or afterschool snack for kids. These contain no breadcrumbs.
Air Fryer Kale Chips - Another delicious way to include Kale in your diet.
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Air Fryer Broccoli Tater Tots (Gluten-Free, Vegan)
Equipment
- Air Fryer
Ingredients
- 750 gms Broccoli
- 2 Potatoes read instructions below
- ¼ tsp Black Pepper Powder
- ½ cup Cilantro and Mint Leaves finely chopped
- Olive Oil approx 1 to 2 tsp oil or use a cooking spray
- Salt to taste
Instructions
Prepping Broccoli
- Wash and cut the broccoli into florets. Steam them for 10 minutes or until they are tender.
- Once steamed, allow it to cool then finely chop and add to a bowl.
Potatoes Prep
- Boil, Peel and grate the 2 large potatoes. Note - You can use 1 & 1/2 cups of grated potatoes
- Add the grated potatoes along with broccoli
Making Tater Tots
- To the bowl, add salt, black pepper powder and chopped cilantro + mint leaves. Mix well.
- Shape them (16 equal cylindrical shape tots) and refrigerate for atleast 30 minutes before air frying.
Air Frying Broccoli Tater Tots
- Preheat the Air Fryer at 200 Degree Celsius for 5 minutes.
- Brush or spray oil after pre-heating. Place the tater tots in the air fryer basket or mesh. Do not crowd the basket.
- Air Fry them at 180 Degree Celsius for 15 to 20 minutes or until golden brown.
- Ensure you open the basket and spray / brush some oil over the tater tots after 10 minutes of air frying.
Notes
- These are Gluten Free, Vegan, nut-free and soy-free
- Traditionally tater tots are made with breadcrumbs and/or flour. However, in this recipe, I have included neither breadcrumbs, flour nor any eggs. For crispy, crunchy exterior, make a slurry of cornflour (cornstarch) and water, dip the tots in them and then roll them in breadcrumbs before air frying. You can double coat with flour and breadcrumbs for crispier texture.
- I have NOT included Cheese in this recipe as its dairy-free, vegan. If you love cheese, add some grated cheddar cheese along with the potatoes and broccoli or stuff the tots with a cube of mozzarella cheese.
- Roasted and coarsely ground nuts like almonds or cashews can be added. If you are not allergic to peanuts, you can add them too.
- Tater tots with cauliflower - You can replace broccoli with cauliflower. The process of cooking remains the same. If you want to mask the smell of steamed cauliflower, try adding few spices like curry powder or garam masala powder.
- Other vegetables like steamed corn and peas, carrots etc can be added too.
- If not air frying these immediately, store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for a couple of days or in the freezer until you are ready to Air Fry
- Leftovers - Air Fry them 160 Degree Celsius for 5 minutes. Do spray some oil before air frying. If frozen, thaw them completely before air frying.
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We will be back again with yet another exciting recipe .. Until then, stay healthy and happy!
Vidya Narayan