Crispy Air Fryer Broccoli Tater Tots

Ingredients (and substitutes)

You only need seven main ingredients (plus salt and pepper) to make these broccoli tots.

• Broccoli: Use only the crowns (heads). The stems are fibrous and not ideal for this texture.
• Shallots: Milder than onions. If unavailable, use finely minced red onion.
• Cheddar cheese: Smoked cheddar adds a great flavor, but aged or mild cheddar work as well.
• Eggs: Eggs bind the mixture so the tots hold together.
• Breadcrumbs: Regular dried breadcrumbs work best. Panko is often too large to keep tots consistent.

See the recipe card below for full ingredient amounts and detailed instructions.

Want a dip? Try a creamy buffalo-style dip, tzatziki, sriracha aioli, sweet chili sauce, or peri-peri for heat.

How to make (step-by-step photos)

Below are the essential steps to make broccoli tots. Through testing, the grated broccoli method gave the most reliable texture and kept the tots intact.

Refer to the recipe card below for exact measurements and full instructions.

Recipe testing details

We tried three methods for prepping broccoli and found that grating produced the best texture and most consistent results.

1. Finely chopping raw broccoli: Time-consuming and inconsistent; larger pieces sometimes caused tots to fall apart.
2. Steaming then chopping: Easier to chop small pieces but added extra dishes and prep time.
3. Grating with a box grater: Fast and produces uniformly small pieces that help the tots bind and hold their shape.

After testing, grated broccoli was the clear winner for ease and consistency.

Tips

• Even portions: Use a small scoop or spoon to portion the mixture for uniform tots.
• Prevent sticking: Wet your hands slightly when shaping to keep the mixture from sticking.
• Use oil spray: A light mist of oil helps the tots brown and crisp in the air fryer.
• Single layer: Arrange tots in a single layer and air fry in batches if needed. Overcrowding prevents even crisping.
• Serve with dip: Tots are delicious with a tangy yogurt-based buffalo dip, sriracha aioli, tzatziki, sweet chili sauce, or simple ketchup.

Recipe FAQs

Do you have to preheat an air fryer?

Preheating is not necessary for this recipe. We found preheating saves about one minute of cook time, which is usually less than the preheat time. You can skip preheating for a simpler process.

Can I make this recipe without an air fryer?

Yes. The oven method works if you don’t have an air fryer. Bake at 425°F (220°C) on a parchment-lined baking sheet for 20–25 minutes, turning or shaking the pan halfway through. While the oven won’t produce exactly the same level of crispiness as an air fryer, the tots will still be tasty.

Are these broccoli tater tots freezer-friendly?

Yes. Let tots cool completely, then freeze in a single layer in a freezer bag. Reheat from frozen in an air fryer at 350°F (177°C) for about 6–8 minutes, or from refrigerated for 3–4 minutes, until heated through.

Other air fryer recipes

Try other air fryer favorites such as crispy avocado tacos, breakfast potatoes, sweet chili tofu bowls, or air-fried broccolini for more quick, crisp dishes.

Love this recipe? Please leave a 5-star review if you try it and tell us how you served the tots!

Ingredients

• 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
• ½ cup minced shallot (about 1 large)
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 3 cups grated broccoli (from the crown, see notes)
• ½ teaspoon fine sea salt
• ½ teaspoon black pepper
• ½ teaspoon packed lemon zest (optional)
• 2 large eggs
• ⅔ cup grated cheddar cheese (smoked cheddar recommended)
• ⅔ cup breadcrumbs (gluten-free if needed)
• Oil spray (olive oil or neutral oil) for air frying

Instructions

1. Start cooking: Warm the olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add the shallot and garlic and cook, stirring frequently, until fragrant, about 2 minutes. Add the grated broccoli and cook, stirring occasionally, until bright green, about 3 minutes. Remove from heat.
2. Mix: Transfer the broccoli mixture to a large bowl. Stir in salt, pepper, and lemon zest if using. Make a well in the center, crack the eggs into the well, and beat them. Stir the eggs into the broccoli mixture, then fold in the cheddar cheese and breadcrumbs until combined.
3. Shape tots: Scoop the mixture into about 20 small portions (roughly 2 tablespoons each). Lightly dampen your hands to prevent sticking and shape each portion into a small cylinder tot. Arrange tots in a single layer in the air fryer basket, leaving space between them for air circulation.
4. Spray and air fry: Lightly coat the tots with oil spray. Air fry at 400°F (200°C) without preheating for about 10 minutes, or until golden brown and crisp. Cook in batches if necessary to avoid overcrowding.

Notes

1. Grated broccoli: Use the large holes of a box grater and grate the crowns (not the stalks). Measure after grating: 3 cups grated broccoli weighs approximately 10 oz (283 g). You’ll likely need 2–3 heads to reach 3 cups grated.
2. Cheddar: Smoked cheddar boosts flavor, but aged or mild cheddar are fine alternatives.
3. Basket size: Air fryer basket sizes vary—bake in batches if needed to avoid overcrowding.
4. Storage & reheating: Refrigerate cooked tots in an airtight container up to 4 days, or freeze single-layer in a freezer bag. Reheat in the air fryer at 350°F (177°C) until heated through (about 6–8 minutes from frozen, 3–4 minutes from refrigerated).
5. Oven method: If using an oven, bake at 425°F (220°C) on a parchment-lined sheet for 20–25 minutes, turning once halfway through.

Nutrition (per serving)

Calories: 244 kcal | Carbohydrates: 19 g | Protein: 12 g | Fat: 14 g | Saturated Fat: 5 g | Sodium: 605 mg | Fiber: 3 g | Vitamin C: 64 mg