Air Fryer Cauliflower Tots: Frozen To Crispy In Minutes

Cauliflower tots are a delicious, healthy snack that can be made in an air fryer from frozen in under 15 minutes. They are a great way to get your family to eat veggies without them even knowing! The cooking time will depend on the size of your florets and your air fryer, but generally, they will be done in around 10 minutes. So, get creative with your seasonings and sauces, and enjoy this tasty, crispy treat!

How to make cauliflower tots from scratch

Ingredients

• Cauliflower
• Breadcrumbs
• Parmesan cheese
• Cheddar cheese
• Egg
• Spices (e.g. garlic, onion powder, parsley, salt, and pepper)
• Oil or cooking spray

Method

First, steam or boil the cauliflower until tender. Drain and leave to cool, then finely chop the cauliflower until it is the size of rice grains.

Next, add the breadcrumbs, cheese, egg, and spices to the cauliflower. You can also add cornstarch or potato to help the mixture bind. Mix well, then chill the mixture in the refrigerator for 15-20 minutes.

Preheat your oven to between 375°F and 400°F (200°C). Grease a large baking sheet with cooking spray or line it with parchment paper.

Shape the mixture into tot shapes and spread them evenly on the sheet. Bake for 10 minutes, then flip and bake for another 8-10 minutes until golden brown.

Air Fryer Method

You can also cook cauliflower tots in an air fryer. Preheat the air fryer to 400°F (200°C). Place the tots in the air fryer basket, making sure they are not overcrowded. Air fry for 8 minutes, then flip and air fry for another 6-8 minutes or until golden brown.

Air fryer settings and cooking time

Air fryers are a great way to cook frozen cauliflower tots, and the best part is that you won't have to heat up your oven. The cooking time will depend on the size of your florets and your air fryer, so it's important to keep an eye on them while they're cooking.

First, preheat your air fryer to 400°F. While the air fryer is preheating, you can prepare your frozen cauliflower tots. Some recipes suggest adding olive oil, garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, and cornstarch to your tots before cooking. This will give them a nice crispy texture and enhance their flavour. However, this is not necessary, as some brands of frozen cauliflower tots will cook nicely without needing any extra oil.

Once your air fryer is preheated, place the frozen cauliflower tots in the air fryer basket, making sure they do not touch. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may need to cook the tots in batches.

Air fry the tots for 5 to 8 minutes, shaking the basket about halfway through cooking to help them cook evenly. Then, flip the tots over and air fry for an additional 3 to 8 minutes, or until they are golden brown and cooked to your desired level of crispness.

Keep in mind that the cooking time may vary depending on the brand of frozen cauliflower tots you are using, the size of your air fryer, and your personal preference for doneness. Always refer to the manufacturer's safety instructions provided with your specific air fryer before cooking.

How to make cauliflower tots without eggs

Ingredients

• Cauliflower
• Potato (Yukon gold or white)
• Breadcrumbs (panko or gluten-free)
• Cornstarch
• Onion powder
• Garlic powder
• Salt
• Black pepper
• Other seasonings of your choice (smoked paprika, Italian seasoning, curry powder, cajun spice, etc.)

Method

• Add the potato with enough water to cover to a pot on the stove. Bring to a boil for 10 to 15 minutes, until they're very tender. Drain and rinse with cold water, so they'll become cool enough to handle.
• While the potato cooks, add the cauliflower rice, breadcrumbs, cornstarch, garlic powder, onion powder, salt and pepper to a large bowl, and mix well with a fork.
• When the potato is done cooking, transfer it to the bowl with the cauliflower, and mash with a fork. When it's cool enough to handle, use clean hands to knead the potato and cauliflower together until you have an even mixture that sticks together well.
• Use your hands to form the cauliflower mixture into about 18 balls or tater tot shapes.
• To air fry: Transfer the cauliflower tots to your air fryer basket. Air fry at 400°F for 8 minutes, then flip the tots over. Air fry at 400°F for 6 to 8 more minutes, or until they're golden brown on the outside.
• To bake: Arrange the tots on a parchment-lined baking sheet, and bake at 400°F for 30 to 35 minutes, until they're browned on the outside.

Tips:

• These are best served immediately, but you can reheat them in the air fryer or oven at 350°F until they're warmed up again. Do not microwave to reheat, because they will become mushy.
• After mashing the potato with a fork, make sure you get in there with clean hands and knead really well. You want the mixture to stay together, and kneading is the key.
• When you form the tots, make them nice and tight, which will help them hold their shape, even when you dip them into sauce.
• You can also add a little potato to the mixture to help the tots hold together without eggs.

How to make cauliflower tots dairy-free

Ingredients

• 1/2 head of cauliflower
• 3 tablespoons coconut flour, plus an additional tablespoon if needed
• 3/4 cup almond flour
• 1 teaspoon parsley
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 1/2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
• 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese (optional)
• Salt and pepper, to taste

Method

First, chop the cauliflower into florets. Place the florets in a steamer and cook until fork-tender, ensuring you don't overcook them. Allow the cauliflower to cool slightly, then use a paper towel to drain and squeeze out any excess water.

Next, add the steamed cauliflower to a blender along with the coconut flour, almond flour, parsley, baking powder, garlic powder, olive oil, and Parmesan cheese (if using). Blend until well combined. The mixture should be sticky but firm; if it's too wet, add more coconut flour, a tablespoon at a time.

Shape the mixture into small nuggets or "tots" with your hands. Coat each piece with almond flour.

Preheat your oven to 375°F and line a baking pan with parchment paper or coat it with cooking spray. Place the cauliflower tots on the prepared pan, leaving about an inch of space between them as they will expand during baking.

Bake the tots for 15 minutes, then flip them over and bake for an additional 15 minutes, or until they are golden brown.

Serve and enjoy!

Tips:

• These cauliflower tots can be made ahead of time and frozen for up to 3 months. Wrap them in parchment paper and store in an airtight container.
• To reheat, bake in the oven at 350°F for about 15 minutes, or until crispy. Avoid microwaving, as they may become mushy.
• For an extra crispy texture, cook the tots in an air fryer at 400°F for 6-8 minutes, flipping halfway through.
• Get creative with seasonings! You can add onion powder, smoked paprika, Italian seasoning, curry powder, or cajun spice to give your tots an extra kick.

Variations:

• For a vegan version, omit the Parmesan cheese, or replace it with a vegan alternative.
• If you don't have access to an oven or air fryer, you can also fry the tots in a pan on the stovetop with a small amount of oil.

Serving Suggestions:

• These cauliflower tots make a great snack or side dish.
• Serve them with your favorite dipping sauce, such as vegan ranch dressing, tahini sauce, BBQ sauce, ketchup, or curry mayo.
• For a complete meal, pair them with a salad, rice, pasta, or your favorite protein.

Enjoy your dairy-free cauliflower tots!

How to reheat cauliflower tots

Cauliflower tots are a delicious and healthy snack, and they're even better when they're crispy! If you're looking to reheat some cauliflower tots, here's a detailed guide on how to do it using an air fryer.

Prepare the Air Fryer

First, make sure your air fryer is preheated to the right temperature. Set it to 400°F (200°C). It's important to have the air fryer preheated so that your tots cook evenly.

Arrange the Cauliflower Tots

Place the desired amount of cauliflower tots in the air fryer basket, ensuring they don't touch each other. If you need to cook a large batch, you may have to do this in several batches. It's important not to overcrowd the basket so that the tots can cook evenly and get crispy.

Reheat the Cauliflower Tots

Cook the cauliflower tots in the preheated air fryer for 6 minutes. Then, pull out the basket, turn the tots over, and cook for an additional 3-8 minutes, or until they're browned and heated through. The total cook time will depend on the size of your air fryer, the size of the tots, and your desired level of crispness.

Tips for Best Results

• Shake the basket occasionally during cooking to help the tots cook evenly.
• If you're reheating a large batch, you may need to turn the tots over multiple times to ensure even cooking.
• Avoid overcrowding the air fryer basket to ensure the tots get crispy.
• If your tots are frozen, there's no need to thaw them first. Cook them straight from frozen for the best results.
• Avoid using a microwave to reheat cauliflower tots, as they tend to become mushy.

By following these steps, you'll have delicious, crispy cauliflower tots ready to enjoy as a snack or side dish!

Frequently asked questions