30-Minute Air Fryer Crispy Cheddar Broccoli Tots Kids Crave

You know that moment when your kid wrinkles their nose at anything green on their plate? Yeah, I’ve been there too—more times than I’d like to admit. That’s exactly why I started playing kitchen mad scientist with veggies, and let me tell you, these Air Fryer Crispy Cheddar Broccoli Tots for Kids are my absolute *winning* experiment. They’re crunchy, cheesy, and packed with sneaky-good broccoli—all while taking barely any time in the air fryer. Even my most stubborn little food critic (ahem, my five-year-old) gobbles them up and asks for seconds. No more sad, steamed broccoli faces. Just golden, crispy bites that disappear faster than I can say, “Wait, did you actually eat your greens?!”

Why You’ll Love These Air Fryer Crispy Cheddar Broccoli Tots for Kids

Okay, let me count the ways these little tots will become your new best friend in the kitchen:

• Speed demon: From bowl to table in under 30 minutes—perfect for those “I’m starving NOW” kid moments
• Sneaky nutrition: Packed with broccoli but tasting like cheesy heaven (your secret’s safe with me)
• Crispy magic: That irresistible golden crunch that makes kids forget they’re eating vegetables
• No-fry guilt-free: All the satisfaction of fried food without the oil bath—thank you, air fryer!
• Kid-tested: My toughest critics (ages 3 to 9) give these two sticky thumbs up

Seriously, these tots check all the boxes—easy, fast, healthy-ish, and most importantly, actually eaten by tiny humans.

Ingredients for Air Fryer Crispy Cheddar Broccoli Tots for Kids

Here’s what you’ll need to make these little green-and-golden miracles happen—trust me, every ingredient pulls its weight:

• 2 cups finely chopped broccoli (get those florets teeny-tiny—no big chunks allowed!)
• 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese (the sharper, the better for flavor punch)
• 1/2 cup breadcrumbs (pack ’em in tight—this is your crispy armor)
• 1 large egg (your glue that holds everything together)
• 1/4 teaspoon each: garlic powder, salt, and black pepper (just enough to wake up the flavors)

That’s it! No fancy-pants ingredients—just simple stuff that probably already lives in your fridge. Now let’s turn this into magic.

How to Make Air Fryer Crispy Cheddar Broccoli Tots for Kids

Okay, let’s get these golden little nuggets from dream to reality—it’s easier than you think! Just follow these steps, and you’ll have crispy-cheesy-broccoli magic in no time.

Step 1: Mix the Ingredients

First things first—dump that finely chopped broccoli into a big bowl. I mean really fine—no one wants a rogue broccoli tree in their tot! Add the shredded cheddar (go ahead, sneak an extra pinch—I won’t tell), breadcrumbs, egg, and spices. Now roll up your sleeves and mix like you mean it! You want every single broccoli floret coated in cheesy, eggy goodness. If it looks too dry, add another teaspoon of egg. Too wet? A sprinkle more breadcrumbs. Trust your gut—you’ll know when it’s just right.

Step 2: Shape the Tots

Here’s where things get fun—and a little messy! Wet your hands (seriously, do this—it’s the secret to non-sticky shaping) and grab about a tablespoon of the mixture. Roll it between your palms into a little cylinder, like a tiny cheesy log. Aim for about 1.5 inches long—bite-sized for little hands. If they’re falling apart, squeeze tighter! The mixture should hold its shape when you give it a firm press. Line ’em up on a plate like little soldiers ready for battle.

Step 3: Air Fry to Perfection

Preheat that air fryer to 375°F—no skipping this step! Cold air fryers make sad, soggy tots. Arrange your tots in a single layer with some breathing room (they need personal space to get crispy). Cook for 6 minutes, then flip each one carefully—I use tongs because they’re hot! Another 6 minutes and boom—golden brown perfection. Let them cool for a minute (torture, I know) so they firm up. Listen for that satisfying crunch when you bite in—that’s how you know you nailed it!

Tips for Perfect Air Fryer Crispy Cheddar Broccoli Tots for Kids

Want to take these tots from good to can’t-stop-eating-them great? Here are my battle-tested tricks after many, many test batches (and kid taste tests):

Fresh is best: That bagged pre-chopped broccoli? Nope. Grab a fresh crown and chop it yourself—it makes all the difference in texture. You want those little green bits to be tender, not woody.

Size matters: Keep your tots small and uniform—about the size of your thumb. Bigger ones won’t crisp up evenly, and nobody wants a mushy center.

Oil spray secret: A quick spritz of oil before air frying = next-level crunch. I use avocado oil spray because it handles high heat like a champ.

Ingredient Substitutions for Air Fryer Crispy Cheddar Broccoli Tots for Kids

Ran out of something? No sweat—here’s how to tweak these tots with what you’ve got:

Breadcrumbs: Panko gives extra crunch, while crushed crackers add buttery flavor (just reduce salt). Gluten-free? Rolled oats pulsed fine work great.

Broccoli blues: Cauliflower’s a perfect stand-in—same chop size, milder taste. Frozen works in a pinch (thaw and squeeze dry first!).

Cheese swap: Monterey Jack melts beautifully, or try Parmesan for a salty kick (use 3/4 cup since it’s stronger).

Remember—each tweak changes texture slightly, but the crispy-cheesy magic stays!

Serving Suggestions for Air Fryer Crispy Cheddar Broccoli Tots for Kids

Now for the best part—how to serve these little green wonders! My kids go wild dunking them in ranch dressing (the universal kid condiment), but they’re also amazing with marinara for a pizza vibe. Pack them cold in lunchboxes—they stay crispy! Or pile them next to chicken nuggets for a “fun food” dinner plate. Pro tip: Serve with extra napkins—cheesy fingers are guaranteed!

Storage and Reheating Instructions

Here’s the good news—these tots actually keep their crunch! Let them cool completely, then tuck them into an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. When tiny hands demand a snack, pop them back in the air fryer at 350°F for 2-3 minutes (no preheating needed!) and they’ll come out crispy as day one. Microwave? Don’t even think about it—that’s how you get sad, soggy tots!

Nutritional Information for Air Fryer Crispy Cheddar Broccoli Tots for Kids

Now, I’m no nutritionist—just a mom who knows these tots pack way more goodness than chicken nuggets! Each serving (about 5 tots) gives you protein from the egg and cheese, fiber from the broccoli, and way less oil than deep-fried snacks. Exact numbers? They’ll vary based on your cheese brand and broccoli size, but trust me—it’s a win compared to most kid snacks. Pro tip: The real nutrition victory comes when your kids actually ask for seconds of broccoli!

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I Make These Broccoli Tots Without an Air Fryer?

Absolutely! If you don’t have an air fryer, just preheat your oven to 400°F and bake them on a parchment-lined sheet for 15-18 minutes, flipping halfway. They won’t get quite as crispy, but they’ll still be delicious—just give them an extra minute if needed. Pro tip: Place them on a wire rack over the baking sheet for better air circulation!

How Do I Prevent Soggy Tots?

Oh man, soggy tots are the worst! Here’s my foolproof method: After chopping the broccoli, pat it super dry with paper towels—any extra moisture is the enemy of crispiness. And don’t skip that quick spritz of oil before cooking—it creates that golden armor. If your mixture feels too wet when shaping, add another tablespoon of breadcrumbs to soak up the excess.

Can I Freeze These Ahead of Time?

You bet! These tots freeze like champs. After shaping, arrange them on a baking sheet and freeze solid (about 1 hour), then transfer to a freezer bag. When snack time strikes, air fry straight from frozen—just add 2-3 extra minutes. No thawing needed!

Try this recipe and let us know how your kids liked it—I live for those “Mom, can we have these again?” moments!

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