I have to be honest about Bacon Cheddar Cauliflower Tots (Healthier Tater Tots). When I first planned to make them, I wasn’t sure how they’d go over at my house. My youngest three boys have historically resisted cauliflower in any form, except for the occasional stray piece dipped in sauce. The one cauliflower exception so far had been Creamy Cauliflower Garlic Sauce.
Many cauliflower-based potato alternatives suffer from poor texture or weak flavor — too mealy, too watery, or both. They can also be bland. I don’t tolerate bland very well, and I wanted something with real taste and a satisfying texture.
Bacon Cheddar Cauliflower Tots solve those problems. Flavor is delivered by smoky bacon and sharp Cheddar, and the texture is carefully managed so the tots are not mealy or soggy.
I’m particular about tots: they should be crispy on the outside, sturdy, and fluffy inside — not limp or floppy. These deliver that crisp exterior and a tender interior. I’ll explain more in the Cook’s Notes, but the process of salting, partially cooking, and squeezing the cauliflower is essential to achieving the right consistency.
These tots were a huge hit at my house. One child who usually refuses cauliflower sauce loved them so much he begged for them “all the time” and gave me an exuberant high five when I agreed. I didn’t tell the kids what was in them until after they’d finished an entire pan and checked the kitchen for more. When I revealed it was cauliflower, they didn’t bat an eye. One of the anti-veg kids said, “Well, whaddya know?” Another, surprised, admitted, “I guess I DO like cauliflower then. But only like this.” If your kids push back on vegetables, you understand how gratifying that reaction is.
My older boys, who already enjoy most vegetables, loved this variation on cauliflower as well. Everyone agreed the tots were flavorful and satisfying — an easy way to sneak more vegetables into a meal without sacrificing taste.
Cook’s Notes
- I start with a 2 1/2-pound head of cauliflower. After trimming, I typically have about 2 pounds of florets. Grating them and microwaving briefly produces roughly 3 packed cups of cooked cauliflower.
- If grating a head of cauliflower isn’t appealing, you can buy 2 pounds of pre-cut cauliflower rice as a convenient shortcut.
- Line the microwave-safe bowl with a clean cotton kitchen towel. Cotton won’t melt; other fabrics might.
- Salting the grated cauliflower in the towel before microwaving helps draw out moisture. The rest period, brief microwave cook, and vigorous squeezing afterward are crucial to getting the right texture — not watery and not mealy.
- You can squeeze the hot cauliflower with silicone mitts, but I prefer to let it cool to a comfortable temperature first. That protects my hands and keeps the egg and cheese from cooking or melting prematurely. Warm, not hot, cauliflower makes it easier to mix in the raw egg and cheese without scrambling or clumping.
- Use your favorite bacon but be sure it’s cooked crisp before crumbling into the mixture.
- Choose a flavorful Cheddar for best results. A sharp Cheddar works particularly well.
- Line sheet pans with parchment. Tots spread slightly while baking, so leave about 1 to 1 1/2 inches between them. If you have a full sheet pan that fits your oven, you can bake the whole batch on one pan; otherwise use two half-sheet pans. You can also bake them in very well-greased mini-muffin tins.
- Lightly spray the tops of the tots with olive oil spray, nonstick spray, or spray coconut oil before baking for better browning.
- These tots freeze well, either before or after baking. To freeze raw: form tots on a pan, freeze until solid, then transfer to a resealable bag for up to 3 months; bake from frozen, adding a few minutes if needed. To freeze cooked tots: cool completely, freeze in a single layer, then transfer to a bag for up to 3 months. Reheat in a 350°F oven on foil or parchment for best texture; microwaving is possible but will soften the exterior.
You can use this to make Bacon Cheddar Cauliflower Tots (Healthier Tater Tots)
- food processor or box grater
- microwave-safe bowl
- cotton kitchen towel
- sturdy spatula
- half sheet pans
- parchment paper
- small cookie scoop/disher
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Love cauliflower? Try these other recipes:
The Best Easy Cauliflower Rice with Garlic and Green Onions, Low Carb Cauliflower Tortillas, Roasted Garlic Cauliflower Puree, Chili Lime Cauliflower Popcorn, Cauliflower Bolognese, and Low Carb Pepper Jack Cauliflower.
Bacon Cheddar Cauliflower Tots {Healthier Tater Tots}
Rebecca Lindamood
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Ingredients
- 2 1/2 pound head of cauliflower woody stalk and leaves removed, cut into florets
- 1 1/2 teaspoons salt divided
- 1/4 cup corn meal
- 8 ounces sharp Cheddar cheese shredded
- 12 strips bacon cooked until crispy, then crumbled
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon dried mustard powder
- 3/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
Instructions
-
Line a microwave-safe bowl with a clean cotton towel and set aside. Using a box grater or food processor grating disc, grate cauliflower into rice-sized pieces. Scrape the grated cauliflower into the towel-lined bowl, sprinkle 1 teaspoon of the kosher salt over the top, and let sit at room temperature for 5 minutes. Gather the towel and microwave for 2 minutes. Let it cool until you can handle it safely, then twist the towel and squeeze out as much moisture as possible.
Preheat the oven to 425°F and line two half-sheet pans with parchment. Empty any liquid from the microwave bowl, return the squeezed cauliflower to the bowl, and add the remaining ingredients. Stir vigorously to combine. Use a small cookie scoop to portion the mixture; this recipe yields about 50 to 52 tots. Roll each portion into a tot and arrange on the parchment, leaving about 1 1/2 inches between each for spreading.
Bake for 25 minutes, until golden on top and deep brown on the underside. Let stand two minutes on the pan before transferring to a serving plate.
Nutritional information is an estimate and provided as a courtesy. Calculate nutrition using the exact ingredients you use with your preferred nutrition tool.
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