Recipe: Cheesy Baked Cauliflower Tots

Cheesy, crispy litter cauliflower tots — all the taste and none of the guilt.

My kids don’t especially like tater tots.

In fact, if you mention tater tots to them, I’m not even sure that they would remember exactly what they are. And given that tater tots are, um, slightly processed, I’m ok with that.

Because if you’re going to eat processed food, it might as well be an Oreo, right?

Kidding.

Sort of.

My kids also have not yet jumped on the cauliflower bandwagon with me. Shocking as that is. But despite this, coupled with their disdain for tots, when I saw Cheesy Baked Cauliflower Tots from Kalyn’s Kitchen, I thought there might be hope.

It turns out that I wasn’t wrong.

But, of course, I didn’t call them cauliflower anything when the kids asked what they were.

I’ve been a mom for long enough to know better.

But I also don’t lie to them when it comes to food.

Consider it an error of omission when I called them Cheesy Bites.

Which seemed to be just.the.ticket because both kids ate them.

SO THERE.

Using the microwave and a food chopper (I love my mini one and use it exclusively), you can make quick work of the steps below. With just ten minutes, if that, of actual hands-on work, it’s a very simple recipe that you can pop into the oven quickly while you get the rest of dinner ready.

And the end result?

Little bits of cheesy, slightly crispy cauli goodness that you’ll find yourself popping into your mouth again and again.

Even if you don’t like tots or cauliflower.

Hungry for more cauliflower recipes?
If you haven’t made this ridiculously simple Three Ingredient Cauliflower Soup, you are seriously missing out.
This Buffalo-Style Roasted Cauliflower is one I keep going back to. So good and so easy.
This Roasted Cauliflower Spread is a riff off one that Sarah and I enjoyed at Tom Douglas’ Lola in Seattle.
Visually, this Spicy Whole Roasted Cauliflower is a showstopper, and I made it for a cooking challenge at the CIA recently.
If you haven’t had this Cauliflower Steak with Homemade Caesar Dressing, I don’t know how to help you.
This super simple Cauliflower Mac and Cheese is a great comfort food spin when you’re craving carbs and cheese.
These Cauliflower Bread Sticks were another great riff, and delish!
This Mock Shrimp Risotto was almost as good as the real deal.
Cauliflower Crust Pizza for fulfilling all your pizza loving dreams.
And lastly, Cauliflower Garlic Mashed Potatoes will satisfy your comfort food craving.

Cheesy Baked Cauiflower Tots
Recipe slightly adapted from Kalyn’s Kitchen

Ingredients:
1/2 large head cauliflower, coarsely chopped
1/3 cup reduced-fat sharp cheddar
1/4 cup coarsely grated Parmesan cheese
2 T whole wheat flour
1/4 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. Mrs. Dash
freshly ground black pepper to taste
1 egg

Instructions:

Preheat oven to 400F.  Spray a mini muffin tin with non-stick spray. Remove the outer leaves of the cauliflower, and coarsely chop the cauliflower. Place in a microwave-safe bowl, cover with plastic wrap, and microwave 2 minutes, or until slightly soft. Remove the plastic wrap and let the steam escape. Drain any water that might have collected.

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