Buffalo Cauli-Tots
Sunday Supper is again joining up with American Family Insurance as they inspire and encourage all of us to #ChooseDreams. We all dream that our families will be happy and healthy, and that means taking some of our family favorite recipes and making them healthier, whether this means making them lighter, packing in more veggies or superfoods, or accommodating food allergies. Who doesn’t love tater tots and Buffalo chicken? Not exactly health food, that is unless you transform them into Buffalo Cauli-Tots.
Buffalo Cauli-Tots
Disclosure: This post is sponsored by American Family Insurance. All opinions are my own.
Welcome to my family: 1) I have a wheat allergy, genetic high cholesterol and love salads with fruit and cheese, a medium rare steak and ice cream pretty much equally; 2) The Hubby will eat fruits and veggies if I serve them, but not on his own accord, doesn’t call it a meal if it doesn’t include meat, but also has a pretty big sweet tooth; 2) The Bug loves fruits and veggies, but is also a carb- and cheese-aholic, would happily pass by the chicken or beef, and his favorite foods are peanut butter, bananas, and chocolate; 3) King Stuff is also known as paleo- or carnivore-baby who would rather gnaw through a steak and tomatoes with his four teeth than macaroni and cheese.
Not only do I want to make sure I feed my family healthy, nutritious food, I also have to accommodate all of these needs and preferences. One of the things I try to do is to get them to eat as many fruits and veggies as possible. Fruit is never an issue – they will happily devour berries and melons and apples and pineapple, even dried fruit, like prunes, dates, raisins and figs. I do want to make sure my kids enjoy eating vegetables in as close to their original form as possible – salads, tomatoes, steamed carrots, cucumbers, and roasted broccoli make daily appearances on our lunch and dinner plates – but it never hurts to squeeze in some extra. And the best way to squeeze in extra is to make it fun.
So enter things like green smoothies, produce-packed spaghetti sauces… and Cauli-Tots. Now, I always tell my kids what’s in the food I make for them. I I figure, if they see spinach go into a smoothie or cauliflower go into a tot and they like them, then they will be much more likely to eat said vegetable when I put it on their plate looking like, you know, a vegetable. And while my guys will much their way through a pan of roasted cauliflower, tots are way more fun.
Especially when they taste like wings…
Oh my oh my oh my!! People, I LOVE these Buffalo Cauli-Tots. A little less cheesy and a little more crisp than my other versions, since I needed more cornmeal because of the extra moisture from the hot sauce. But wow, just so much flavor, such perfect tot texture. We loved them dunked in my Greek Yogurt Blue Cheese Dip, but you could also use your favorite Blue Cheese or Ranch dip or dressing (I’m working on a super quick and easy Greek Yogurt Ranch Dip for you). And they aren’t super spicy, so the kids while still eat them, and you can always sprinkle some more sauce on top if you need a little extra kick. These will be coming back to my table over and over!! And think of how much fun they would be for snacking on while watching the game with the guys (or girls).
[Tweet “Buffalo Cauli-Tots – get the family to eat their veggies with these spice #cauliflower tots! “]
American Family Insurance not only wants to inspire everyone to #ChooseDreams, they also want to help you pursue those dreams. Throughout their social media communities, they will be providing tips and tools, inspiration, statistics and encouragement for dreamers on various topics, and encouraging you to share your stories as we grow this community of dreamers.
That is where Sunday Supper comes in. Together with American Family, we are giving you recipes for Family Favorites Turned Healthy, whether this means making traditional comfort foods healthier, sneaking in some extra veggies, giving the kids healthy snacks, or accommodating different food allergies. So I hope you’ll try this and many of the other nutritious and delicious recipes on the Family Favorite Recipes #ChooseDreams Pinterest board. We will be pinning lots of amazing Sunday Supper and Weekday Supper recipes, from appetizers and salads to main dishes and desserts, all summer long!
Follow along with American Family on Linkedin, Youtube, Google+, Twitter, Facebook, and Pinterest, and #ChooseDreams!
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Make sure you check out the entire Sunday Supper menu of Family Favorites Turned Healthy at the bottom of this post.
What are your favorite tips and tricks for getting your family to eat more nutritious foods?
Buffalo Cauli-Tots
Ingredients
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 400°F. Spray a mini muffin tin with oil or coking spray.
- Place the shredded cauliflower in a kitchen towel and squeeze out the excess moisture.
- Combine all of the ingredients (except the Blue Cheese or Ranch dip) in a large bowl, and mix together thoroughly. I like to use a fork.
- Using a spoon or scoop, divide the mixture between the muffin cups and press down firmly into the cups.
- Bake at 400°F for 20-25 minutes, or until golden brown and crispy.
- Serve with Blue Cheese or Ranch Dip for dipping.
Notes
Want some more crazy tots?
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And here is the entire #SundaySupper menu of Family Favorites Turned Healthy:
Savory
- Angel Hair & Zucchini Noodles with Fresh Tomato Sauce by Ruffles & Truffles
- Baked Vegetable Egg Rolls by Curious Cuisiniere
- Beef Stroganoff by Country Girl in the Village
- Buffalo Cauli-Tots by Cupcakes & Kale Chips
- Corn and Crab Chowder by The Dinner-Mom
- Crab Cake Salad by Family Foodie
- Grilled Portabella Mushrooms On Red Pepper Slaw with Cucumber Dressing by Seduction In The Kitchen
- Healthy Chicken Salad by Run DMT
- Lighter Beef Tacos by Alida’s Kitchen
- Meatballs with Vegetable Noodles and Fresh Tomato Sauce by The Girl In The Little Red Kitchen
- Roasted Cauliflower Mac & Cheese by The Messy Baker
- Spaghetti Squash with Mushrooms and Spinach by Cindy’s Recipes and Writings
- Superfood Pancakes by girlichef
- Tex Mex Enchilada Skillet Lasagna by Neighborfood
- Zucchini Meat Lasagna by Peanut Butter and Peppers
Sweet
- Chewy Coconut Granola Bars by Savvy Eats
- Enlightened Southern Banana Puddings by The Weekend Gourmet
- Mom’s Fruit Salad by Magnolia Days
- Strawberry Vanilla Canapés by The Not So Cheesy Kitchen
- Zucchini Carrot Snack Cake by The Foodie Army Wife
Enjoy!
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Brittany says
Did you boil the cauliflower first? You mentioned squeezing the extra moisture out?
Brianne @ Cupcakes & Kale Chips says
Nope, you use it raw, but as you squeeze it in the towel, the excess moisture will squeeze out.
alixandra says
These look so amazing! Curious if you know of anything that could be used to bind everything together in place of the egg? Or, if they would hold up with just leaving the egg out altogether? Would love to make a vegan version of these!
Brianne @ Cupcakes & Kale Chips says
I haven’t tried without egg. I’d love to know how it works out for you.
Shasta says
I realize you’re using mini muffin tins, but how many tots should this make? Hard to know how much to pack into each cup…..
Brianne @ Cupcakes & Kale Chips says
I make 24 from each batch. You’ll have to pack it down, plus that helps them stay together.
Megan says
These look awesome! Do you hava calorie count for these?
Brianne @ Cupcakes & Kale Chips says
No, I’m sorry, I have not calculated it.
Megan @ Our Pinteresting Family says
Looks good!
Patti says
Pinned to a group board…yum!!
Kelly says
You are the cauli-tot queen! I will be trying these soon. Thanks for sharing!
Susan says
Yeah more cauli-tots! I think you need to work for the cauliflower board or something, you truly represent this vegetable!
Brianne @ Cupcakes & Kale Chips says
Haha, hmmm, maybe that’s an idea 😉
Sarnia says
Hi, I love the look of these, but what exactly, for a non-American is ‘hot sauce’?
Brianne @ Cupcakes & Kale Chips says
Hot sauce is a sauce made out of cayenne peppers. Here is a brand I like – https://www.franksredhot.com/
Liz @ The Lemon Bowl says
DROOLING for these!!
Brianne @ Cupcakes & Kale Chips says
Haha, thanks!
Julie says
Um, this is an amazing idea. Love it, and can’t wait to try them myself!
Brianne @ Cupcakes & Kale Chips says
Thank you! I love to “buffalo” everything!
Alexis @ Upside Down Pear says
These look delicious! And who doesn’t love tots!! I made something similar with cauliflower florets one time, but they were pretty messing when eating. These looks like they’d be a whole lot easier to eat! I can’t wait to try these!!
Sarah | Curious Cuisiniere says
I am seriously obsessed with all your cauliflower tater tots recipes! This one is a winner for sure!
Alida says
I need to try your cauli tots. Such a great idea! This buffalo version is at the top of the to-make list…can’t wait!
Heather // girlichef says
I need…yes NEED…to make these! They sound awesome, I bet the whole family will love them (hence, double batch). 🙂
Shaina says
LOL I love the description of all your food habits. Your cauli-tots are always popular, and you choose such great flavors!
Jennifer @ Peanut Butter and Peppers says
OMG!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Your a genius! This recipe is just perfect! Perfect!! I want this!
Brianne @ Cupcakes & Kale Chips says
Haha, I try 😉
Cindys Recipes and Writings says
I love little bites like these! The fact their veggie, all the better! Snack happy!
Brianne @ Cupcakes & Kale Chips says
They are so snackable!
Run DMT says
Oh yum! I love anything Buffalo-style!
Brianne @ Cupcakes & Kale Chips says
Me too, except wings, strangely enough!
Bea says
My kids also always know what’s in the food we eat and is has paid off that both of them love fruits as well as veggies alike.
Oh, and your buffalo cauliflower tots looks absolutely fantastic!
Brianne @ Cupcakes & Kale Chips says
Thanks Bea! Yes, so important to make them appreciate fruits and veggies in all forms.
Jennie @themessybakerblog says
This is a genius idea. There’s no way I’m sharing my tots. Pinned.
Brianne @ Cupcakes & Kale Chips says
Haha, my 1 year old and 4 year old didn’t want to share either! I think they ate six or more each!
Courtney @ Neighborfood says
I loooooove tater tots, but try not to make them too often because I know they’re not great for us. But these?? These could become a weekly staple!
Brianne @ Cupcakes & Kale Chips says
They pretty much are in our house!
Family Foodie says
Such a fun recipe — looking forward to making this with my kiddos!
Brianne @ Cupcakes & Kale Chips says
Thanks – definitely fun food for the kids!
Wendy (The Weekend Gourmet) says
We are trying to eat more veggies, and I’m thinking my hubby would love these. I can’t wait to try them and see what he thinks!
Brianne @ Cupcakes & Kale Chips says
These are great for getting in an extra veggie serving!
Shannon @VillageGirlBlog says
This is such a great idea!! My boys would love these! Well, we all would for that matter.
Brianne @ Cupcakes & Kale Chips says
We were all big fans here! Thanks!
Deanna Samaan says
This sounds so much better the regular tots!!! I love the flavor!!
Brianne @ Cupcakes & Kale Chips says
Thanks Deanna!
Constance @FoodieArmyWife says
Oh my heavens, these are adorable! They look so crunchy. Great, now I’m craving cauliflower for breakfast 😉
Brianne @ Cupcakes & Kale Chips says
We actually had them with Breakfast for Dinner! 🙂
Dorothy at Shockingly Delicious says
Very creative!
Brianne @ Cupcakes & Kale Chips says
Thanks Dorothy!
Katie says
I remember you telling me about making cauli-tots when we were at BlogHer Food, and I have been wanting to make a batch ever since! Loving this new version with a kick – right up my alley!
Brianne @ Cupcakes & Kale Chips says
They are a little work but so worth it!
Nancy [email protected] says
These look delicious! My son would love this!
Brianne @ Cupcakes & Kale Chips says
My boys definitely did!
Marjory @ Dinner-Mom says
You are truly the queen of cauliflower. I’m always inspired by your creations! These look awesome. Can’t wait to try them.
Brianne @ Cupcakes & Kale Chips says
Thanks so much. These might be my favorite!
Renee says
There you go combining my love of cauliflower and buffalo hot sauce. Awesome!
Brianne @ Cupcakes & Kale Chips says
Is it weird that I eat cauliflower with hot sauce fairly regularly?! 🙂
Melvene Tardy says
Hi Brianne,
Can you tell me how many cauli-tots this recipe makes? I’m having a party in two weeks with lots of little bites and want to serve these. They sound delicious. Also, are they still good at room temp?
Thank you, Melvene Tardy
[email protected]
Brianne @ Cupcakes & Kale Chips says
One batch will fill the standard 24 mini muffin tin. It’s easy enough to double if you need to. I haven’t tried the Buffalo ones at room temperature, but my basic cheddar ones are still yummy when cooled.