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Updated: January 10, 2022 / First Posted: January 10, 2022 Amy Palanjian 14 Comments

With just 6 simple ingredients (including nutrient-packed quinoa), these Cauliflower Tots are a healthy homemade finger food the kids (and the parents) will enjoy. Bonus: They reheat from frozen beautifully!

Cauliflower Tots

I love to use wholesome ingredients and produce to make kid-friendly foods that are easy and fun to eat. These Cauliflower Tots, which are a healthy take on the classic tater tot and all of the frozen tots now available in most stores, are a toddler dinner or lunch option that I turn to regularly.

We love these tots alongside chicken and a simple side of veggies, but they are also balanced with a mix of nutrients, so they’re a pretty great stand alone meal with some fruit.

The tots are delicious dipped into a favorite sauce or condiment (like ketchup) and can also be reheated quickly for lunch.

And for kids who may not like the flavor of quinoa on its own, this can be a way to try it in a new form.

Ingredients You Need

The six ingredients combine to make tots that are slightly crunchy on the outside, tender in the middle, and packed with fiber, protein, and subtle flavor that pairs really well with ketchup and Ranch!

Here’s what you’ll need for this recipe:

• Fully cooked quinoa
• Cauliflower: You can use raw florets or riced cauliflower.
• Egg
• Shredded cheese: Try cheddar, mozzarella, or an Italian blend.
• Breadcrumbs: I usually use plain, but you can use Italian-flavored if you like.
• Flour: All-purpose flour works well here.

TIP: Everything comes together in the food processor and you can cook the quinoa ahead of time so it’s ready to go when it’s time to make the tots.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Here’s a look at the simple process involved in making these Cauliflower Tots. Scroll down to see the full recipe at the bottom of this post.

1. Preheat the oven and line a baking sheet.
2. Let the cauliflower soften in boiling water. Drain and pat dry with a towel.
3. Place the ingredients into the bowl of a food processor.
4. Grind into a uniform batter.
5. Form into balls, form into tot shapes, optionally roll in additional breadcrumbs, and place onto the prepared baking sheet.
6. Bake! Serve warm with ketchup, if desired.

TIP: If you’re making these for toddlers who are 1, or older babies, I’d recommend leaving the crunchy coating off. For older kiddos, it’s a fun and satisfying texture though!

Frequently Asked Questions

How to Store

Store  for 3 days in the fridge in an airtight container.

Reheat in the microwave or for about 5 minutes in a 375 degree oven. Or, let cool fully and store in a zip top freezer bag in the freezer for up to 3 months. To warm from frozen, place onto a parchment-lined baking sheet and bake for about 10 minutes at 375 degrees F.

Best Tips for Success

• Cook your quinoa so it’s completely soft and allow to cool before starting the recipe.
• You can cook the quinoa up to 3 days ahead and store it in the fridge in an airtight container.
• If you have any trouble with the batter sticking as you form the tots, pop it into the fridge for a few minutes. I never have had a major issue, even though the batter is fairly sticky, but that would help if needed.
• Use a measuring spoon to portion out the tots. If they’re all pretty close to the same size, they’ll cook evenly.
• Roll the tots in additional breadcrumbs for a slightly crispier outside.
• Gluten-free: Use gluten-free flour and gluten-free breadcrumbs.
• Let them cool slightly before you serve them and break them into smaller pieces for younger toddlers and older babies as needed.
• You could also cook cauliflower rice, which you can find pre-packaged from the grocery store.
• You may also like Veggie Nuggets, Broccoli Tots, and Baked Chicken Nuggets.

Let me know if you make the recipe—I’d love to hear what your family thinks of it!

This post was first published October 2019.

Homemade Cauliflower Tots

Amy Palanjian

With quinoa, cauliflower, and cheese, these healthy little tots are a great finger food for kids. This recipe makes about 20 tots, which is 4-6 servings for toddlers—or 1-2 servings for adults.

Prep Time 30 mins

Cook Time 22 mins

Total Time 52 mins

Course Dinner

Cuisine American

Servings 4 (Makes about 20)

Calories 240 kcal

Ingredients 

US CustomaryMetric

 

1x2x3x

• 1 cup cauliflower florets (chopped)
• 1 cup fully cooked quinoa (slightly cooled)
• 1/3 cup shredded mozzarella
• 1/4 cup Panko breadcrumbs (divided)
• 2 tablespoons all purpose flour
• 1 tablespoon shredded Parmesan
• 1 egg
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon pizza seasoning or cumin (optional)

Instructions 

• Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

• Bring a kettle of pot of water to a boil. Place cauliflower into a heat-safe bowl and pour water over top. Let sit for 5 minutes. Drain and spread onto a clean kitchen towel. Pat dry well.

• Place the cauliflower, quinoa, cheeses, egg, 2 tablespoons breadcrumbs, flour, salt, and spices, if using, into the bowl of a food processor. Grind into a uniform batter.
• Form into 1-tablespoon balls, form into a tot shape, and place onto the prepared baking sheet. If you’d like to have the outsides crispy, coat each ball in the remaining breadcrumbs before placing on the baking sheet.

• Bake for 22-24 minutes. Serve warm with ketchup, if desired.

Notes

• Storage: Store  for 3 days in the fridge in an airtight container.
• Reheat in the microwave or for about 5 minutes in a 375 degree oven. Or, let cool fully and store in a zip top freezer bag in the freezer for up to 3 months. To warm from frozen, place onto a parchment-lined baking sheet and bake for about 10 minutes at 375 degrees F.
• Gluten-Free: Use gluten-free panko breadcrumbs and a cup-for-cup gluten-free flour blend.
• Cook your quinoa according to package directions so it’s completely soft and allow to cool before starting the recipe.
• You can cook the quinoa up to 3 days ahead and store it in the fridge in an airtight container.
• If you have any trouble with the batter sticking as you form the tots, pop it into the fridge for a few minutes. I never have had a major issue, even though the batter is fairly sticky, but that would help if needed.
• Use a measuring spoon to portion out the tots. If they’re all pretty close to the same size, they’ll cook evenly.
• Roll the tots in additional breadcrumbs for a slightly crispier outside.
• Let them cool slightly before you serve them and break them into smaller pieces for younger toddlers and older babies as needed.

Nutrition

Serving: 4totsCalories: 240kcalCarbohydrates: 34gProtein: 11gFat: 6gSaturated Fat: 2gPolyunsaturated Fat: 2gMonounsaturated Fat: 2gTrans Fat: 1gCholesterol: 49mgSodium: 277mgPotassium: 349mgFiber: 4gSugar: 1gVitamin A: 138IUVitamin C: 12mgCalcium: 101mgIron: 3mg

Keyword cauliflower, cauliflower tots, tots

Filder Under:Baby Food, Dinner, Gluten-Free, Nut-Free, Recipes, Vegetarian