Zucchini Tater Tots

Sneak extra veggies into a kid-approved favorite with these Zucchini Tots! Crispy, cheesy, and golden brown, they’re naturally gluten free and perfect as a side dish or a fun party snack. Nobody can resist dunking this tasty finger food into ketchup or other dips!

Want more tots? Add veggies with Cauliflower Tots or make the classic extra-crispy with Air Fryer Tater Tots.

Why You’ll Love These Zucchini Tots

When my oldest was little, I could not get him to eat zucchini. Sure, I could bake it into Carrot Zucchini Muffins or Gluten Free Zucchini Bread. But a Sauteed Summer Vegetable Medley? Forget it. However, I didn’t want to fall back on sweet baked goodies just to get him to eat this green veggie. So I decided to add it to a favorite finger food – tater tots!

No, these aren’t zucchini tots made with just zucchini. They are actually tater tots with some veggies snuck in. But if I could use potatoes and cheese to make that squash more delicious, I knew I’d have a side dish that would be a hit with him. Well, he has been eating these for years now, and not only does the entire family love them, but I’m sure you will too. Here’s why…

• Make a classic even better. A favorite bite-sized side gets an extra dose of vegetables in this recipe makeover. Plus it has cheddar cheese to help make them extra crisp and delicious.
• So simple. Just six main ingredients, plus salt and pepper. And all you do is squeeze out the excess moisture, mix together, fill the pan, and bake.
• Naturally gluten free. Yes, all of the ingredients can work for someone who needs to avoid wheat and gluten. Just check your labels, particularly on the cornmeal.

Recipe Ingredients

Here’s an overview of what you’ll need to make this zucchini tots recipe. Simple ingredients come together easily to make something quite tasty. Scroll down to the recipe card for the full amounts and detailed instructions.

• Potatoes. You are going to shred these with a box grater. You can peel the potatoes or leave the peel on. The peel does add additional fiber, but it is really your preference.
• Zucchini. This also gets shredded. If you are worried about your kids seeing the flecks of green, peel the zucchini too!
• Egg. Just one to help bind the tots.
• Cornmeal. This also helps bind them and gives them a bit of texture. Some brands of cornmeal have a cross-contamination risk, so be sure to read the labels if you are gluten free!
• Cheddar Cheese. You can use mild or sharp, depending on what you prefer.
• Onion Powder.
• Salt & Pepper.

How to Make Tater Zucchini Tots

Start by preheating your oven to 400°F and spraying a mini muffin pan with cooking spray or olive oil. Now let’s get started. These photos will show you how easy it is, and the recipe card further down will provide the step-by-step instructions.

• Prep the veggies. Shred the zucchini and potato using a box grater and place both in an old kitchen towel or double layer of heavy-duty paper towels over a bowl. Squeeze out as much liquid as possible.
• Make the mixture. Place the potatoes and zucchini in a bowl and add the remaining ingredients. Mix everything together thoroughly.

• Fill the pan. Scoop the mixture into the prepared muffin pan and press them down a bit.
• Bake the tots. Place the pan in the preheated oven for 10-15 minutes, or until golden brown. Allow to cool slightly before removing from the pan. If they don’t slide right out, then just run the tip of a butter knife around the edge to pop them out.

Tips for Success

• Avoid sticking. Coat your pan liberally with cooking spray or oil spray. A silicone pan is also less likely to stick, but the outside of the tots does not get quite as golden-brown.
• Don’t worry about browning. Unless you work incredibly fast, the potato shreds will brown slightly. This is nothing to be concerned about and does not change the taste of the zucchini tots.
• Use a towel. You can use paper towels to squeeze the liquid out of the veggies, but they can tear once they absorb some of the moisture. So a kitchen towel is the best bet. They may discolor the towels a little, so be sure to at least rinse or wash them right away to prevent staining.
• Mix and press. I like to use a fork to mix everything together, but you can use a spoon, spatula, or get right in there with your hands. Be sure to press the mixture dow firmly into the pan so that they hold together and crisp up nicely.
• Change the seasonings. Try swapping or adding garlic powder, chili powder, taco seasoning, Old Bay, Cajun seasoning, or other herbs and spices.

Dips to Serve with Tots

Zuzzhini tots are a finger food made for dipping, and her are some of my favorites:

• Homemade Ketchup
• Balsamic Ketchup
• Honey BBQ Sauce
• Greek Yogurt Ranch Dressing
• Honey Mustard Dip
• Burger Sauce
• Fry Sauce from Buns in My Oven

Proper Storage

Leftovers store and reheat well, so this is a great recipe to make ahead, and you can even double or triple it to keep some on hand for any time the craving strikes.

• Fridge – Transfer the tots to an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 3 or 4 days.
• Freezer – Spread the zucchini tots in a single layer on a baking sheet and place in the freezer. Once completely frozen, transfer to a plastic storage bag and keep in the freezer. Take out as many at a time as you need and thaw in the fridge.
• Reheat – You can microwave the zucchini tots to reheat them, But if you’d like to crisp them up again, place them into the oven or air fryer at 350°F for about 3 to 5 minutes, until hot and crispy.

Make it a Meal

Zucchini tots are fun and tasty, plus they go well with so many family-friendly dinners! Here are some of my favorite serving suggestions:

• Perfect with burgers and dogs. I like to make Air Fryer Hamburgers or Air Fryer Hot Dogs.
• Pair with BBQ. You can pop Baked BBQ Chicken in the oven, or make Crockpot BBQ Beef or Instant Pot BBQ Pulled Pork.
• Takeout fake out. Make Gluten-Free KFC Popcorn Chicken or Air Fryer Chicken Nuggets.
• Quick and easy. These Skillet Cube Steaks or even Ground Turkey Chili cook fast while the tots are in the oven.
• Serve with Sunday dinner. Yes, you can even add these veggie-packed tater tots to a meal like Roasted Vegetable Meatloaf or Gluten Free Chicken Parmesan.