A fun take on a classic kid favorite, these Zucchini Tots are the perfect addition to anyone’s lunchbox- kids and adults alike. These adorable bites are easy to make and they pack a nutritional punch!
Now that my daughter Sienna is in school, I have to pack her lunch three times a week. Even with all of the cooking I do, I must admit that I still sometimes find myself in a lunch rut. I have my usual standbys that I turn to when I’m short on time or creativity like peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, yogurt and fresh fruit. But when time permits, I love coming up with fun and healthy new ideas to pack in her lunchbox.
That’s why this month’s Recipe Redux theme, Limpin’ Along for Lunch, really hit home with me. We were asked to share our favorite creative, healthy lunch ideas. I know I’m really looking forward to seeing what my fellow Reducers come up with so that I can add them to our lunch rotation!
My Zucchini Tots are the perfect addition to anyone’s lunchbox- kids and adults alike! These adorable bites are easy to make and they pack a nutritional punch. It’s just one of the many nutritious recipes featured in my new cookbook Natural Baby Food. They make a great snack, lunch or appetizer for the whole family. They're even a great finger food for babies.
These tots are a healthy twist on classic tater tots. Classic tots are deep fried and made with potatoes, but these guys are baked and feature zucchini. Zucchini packs a nutritional punch! It's high in fiber and several vitamins and minerals including Vitamin C, Vitamin K, B vitamins, potassium, and manganese. One medium zucchini supplies more than half of your daily Vitamin C needs!
How to Make Zucchini Tots
To make the tots, I mix shredded zucchini with some minced shallot and dried spices and bind it all together with an egg, breadcrumbs and yummy cheese. I like to use Italian spices and a mixture of mozzarella and Parmesan cheese and serve the tots with marinara sauce for dipping. But what I love about this recipe is that it’s a blank slate and you can use whatever types of seasoning and cheese you like. They would also be delicious with cheddar or Monterey Jack cheese, dipped in a healthy Ranch style sauce.
Just be sure to wring out as much water from the zucchini as you can. Zucchini has a high water
content so this step is important to prevent the tots from getting soggy. After forming the mixture into tater tot shapes, simply spray them with olive oil and pop them in the oven. After about 20 minutes, they’ll be puffed up and ready to be devoured!
content so this step is important to prevent the tots from getting soggy. After forming the mixture into tater tot shapes, simply spray them with olive oil and pop them in the oven. After about 20 minutes, they’ll be puffed up and ready to be devoured!
Recipe
Zucchini Tots
A fun take on a classic kid favorite, these Zucchini Tots are the perfect addition to anyone’s lunchbox- kids and adults alike. These adorable bites are easy to make and they pack a nutritional punch!
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Servings: 4
Calories: 78kcal
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 heaping cup grated zucchini
- ¼ cup finely chopped shallot or yellow onion
- ¼ cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1 tablespoon grated Parmesan cheese
- ¼ cup panko breadcrumbs
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon dried Italian seasoning
- ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
- ¼ teaspoon kosher salt
- Olive oil
- Marinara sauce for serving
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400°F.
- Place the grated zucchini in cheesecloth or a kitchen towel and wring all of the excess water out (it will be a lot!).
- Place the zucchini in a bowl along with all of the other ingredients except the olive oil. Mix until combined. If the mixture seems too wet, add a little more breadcrumbs.
- Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Take a tablespoon of the mixture and form it into an oval shape. Repeat with the remaining mixture. Arrange the tots on a single layer on the baking sheet and spray or brush the tops lightly with olive oil.
- Bake until puffed up and cooked through, about 20 minutes. Flip halfway through cooking. Serve with marinara sauce or other dipping sauce.
Nutrition
Serving: 0g | Calories: 78kcal | Carbohydrates: 7g | Protein: 5g | Fat: 3g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 1g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 48mg | Sodium: 257mg | Potassium: 215mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 3g | Vitamin A: 225IU | Vitamin C: 10mg | Calcium: 84mg | Iron: 1mg
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Check out below to see many more great lunch ideas from my fellow Recipe Reduxers!
Elpida says
I use egg replacer as a substitute for egg when i make baked goods but not sure if that would work well on a recipe like this one. Would there be something else you would suggest i could use instead of egg to help bind these?
sonaliruder says
Actually I think the egg replacer would work well in this recipe. If you want to try something else, you can make a "flax egg" by mixing 1 tablespoon ground flaxseed with 3 tablespoons water. Let it sit for 5 minutes until it thickens and then add it to the recipe in place of one egg. Let me know how it turns out!
Jessie says
What a perfect bite-sized food to shake me out of my lunch rut! Especially with summer coming up - an alternative to zucchini bread 🙂 Love what you've done with this Redux!
sonaliruder says
Yay for summer! Thanks Jessie 🙂
Amelia @ Eating Made Easy says
I have a ton of zucchini in my fridge right now with no particular agenda. These look perfect and so kid-friendly!
sonaliruder says
That's great Amelia, I hope you all like them! Thanks for stopping by 🙂
Sarah Grace Spann says
Oh my goodness I NEED Sonali! These look not only so adorable...but delicious! I loved tater tots as a kid, so I know I'd love these grown up ones 🙂
xo,
sonaliruder says
Thanks Sarah!
Big Rigs 'n Lil' Cookies says
I am so excited for our garden to produce some zucchini. This is a recipe I will definitely be trying... I love your Italian flavor, and bet it would also be good with a Mexican twist!
sonaliruder says
Ohhh, a Mexican twist sounds wonderful! Thanks!
Jessica Levinson says
These look amazing! Zucchini is one of the few veggies my kids don't eat, but I know they will devour these! Think I'll need to make a double batch from the get-go!
sonaliruder says
Thanks Jessica, I really hope these change their minds about zucchini! Let me know 🙂
Beverley says
I's be happy to find these in my lunch box too. Delicious xoxo
sonaliruder says
Haha, so sweet as always 🙂
Sarah www.thegourmetgourmand.com says
Oh wow what a great and healthy finger food! Love it 🙂
sonaliruder says
Thanks Sarah!
Ariella says
Great finger food idea.
sonaliruder says
Thanks Ariella!
EA-The Spicy RD says
I love how versatile these are, and easy to make gluten-free too! I think I might get my kids to eat them as well 🙂 I know I wold for sure!!
sonaliruder says
Thanks so much EA 🙂
Regan @ The Healthy Aperture Blog says
I have to try these with my kids soon!
sonaliruder says
I hope you all love them!
Tawnie Kroll says
So creative !!
sonaliruder says
Thanks Tawnie!
Tara Rochford says
These sound amazing! I MUST make these for the little girl that I nanny 🙂
sonaliruder says
Thanks! I hope you both enjoy them 🙂
Sara Haas says
I'm in love with these! Great recipe Sonali!
sonaliruder says
Thanks Sara!
Cindy Kerschner says
I'm saving this recipe for "zucchini season"! 🙂
sonaliruder says
Yay!
Lauren O'Connor, RD says
Hi Sonali! These zucchini tots look delicious. Can't wait to try. I think my girls would love them, too!
sonaliruder says
Thanks for stopping by Lauren, so great to see your face 🙂
Lauren Grant says
What a great idea! These look so tasty, plus what a great snack for those days when you're on the go!
sonaliruder says
Thanks so much Lauren!