Old Bay Cauliflower Tots

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Give your meals a flavorful twist with Old Bay Cauliflower Tots! These crispy, cheesy bites take your veggie side dish to the next level with the bold taste of Old Bay Seasoning. While they’re perfect alongside seafood, their savory, crave-worthy flavor pairs beautifully with all kinds of meals—or even stands alone as a snack for game day or any time you’re craving something fun and delicious.

A closeup of a plate of Old Bay Cauliflower Tots.
  • Cuisine Inspiration: American
  • Primary Cooking Method: Oven
  • Dietary Info: Gluten-free
  • Skill Level: Easy

Why You’ll Love Old Bay Cauliflower Tots

Known for its roots in coastal cooking and seafood feasts, Old Bay brings a unique blend of spices to so many dishes. The most popular way to use it, particularly in Maryland where it originates, is on steamed crabs. Despite being a Marualy resident, I’m actually not a fan of crab. Luckily, Marylanders aren’t shy about using it to spice up basically anything and everything else, from roasted potatoes to Old Bay Popcorn, and, of course, Red Lobster Cheddar Bay Biscuits!

So I decided to add them to my favorite Cauliflower Tots, and it turns them into a veggie side dish that is anything but ordinary. Here’s why you’ll love them…

  • Crave-worthy flavor and texture. These cheesy tots turn folder and crispy. And the Old Bay gives them a nice pop of spice that’s really not spicy but just full of flavor that complements the cheddar cheese.
  • Naturally gluten free. I’ve always made my tots with cornmeal as a binder. Not only does it give them a tater tots texture despite being made from veggies, but it also makes them gluten free without any swaps or expensive ingredients.
  • Versatile serving options. Of course, if you do like crab, you can serve them with your favorite crab or other seafood dishes. But this finger food is also tasty with family-friendly meals or to put out on a spread of party snacks, especially if you are watching the Baltimore Ravens or Orioles! I’ve got lots of ideas for you down below in the post.
A plate of cauliflower tots and a tin of Old Bay seasoning on top of napkins on a table.

Recipe Ingredients

Here’s a little rundown of what you need to know about the ingredients to make this Old Bay Cauliflower tots recipe. Read to get all the info. Then scroll down to the recipe card to get the full amounts and step-by-step instructions.

  • Cauliflower. You’ll need about half of a large head. I use the shredding blade on my food processor to shred cauliflower. You can use the stems as well as the florets, since it is all being shredded and mixed together.
  • Salt. This helps extract the moisture from the cauliflower so you can more easily squeeze out the excess.
  • Cheddar cheese. I like sharp cheddar but you can use your favorite.
  • Egg.
  • Cornmeal. Ground oats or breadcrumbs can work as a substitute. I’ve also made them with almond flour. This works as a low carb option, but the tots do end up a little softer and more tender.
  • Old Bay Seasoning. Feel free to use the lower sodium version if you prefer.
  • Black pepper.
Cauliflower tots piled on a striped plate with a container of Old Bay Seasoning in the background.

Tips for Success

I’m going to share my most important tips here, but you can check out my basic recipe for Cauliflower Tots to get all the ins and outs of making the perfect tots.

  • Squeeze it well. The salt does help to release the moisture, but you also want to squeeze out the cauliflower extremely well to get rid of as much liquid as possible. Work in batches to make it easier. This ensures they hold together well.
  • Don’t let them stick. Squeezing the cauliflower well helps minimize sticking, but you’ll want to spray your pan well. A silicone pan is a good option for less sticking, but I find they don’t brown on the bottom as much, so it’s your call.
  • Store and reheat. Leftovers will keep in the fridge in an airtight container for a few days. You can also freeze them, then thaw them in the fridge when you are ready to enjoy them. The cauliflower tots can be reheated in the microwave, but popping them in the oven or air fryer restores the crispiness.
Old Bay Cauliflower Tots on a red and white striped plate.

Make it a Meal

No matter what you fancy, I’ve got serving suggestions for you to enjoy with these Old Bay Cauliflower Tots.

Cauliflower tots piled on a striped plate with a container of Old Bay Seasoning in the background.
5 from 1 vote

Old Bay Cauliflower Tots

Crispy, cheesy Old Bay Cauliflower Tots pack bold, zesty flavor! Perfect with seafood, as a side dish, or a game-day snack, these veggie bites are a delicious twist that take tots to the next level!
Prep: 20 minutes
Cook: 25 minutes
Total: 45 minutes
Servings: 6 servings

Ingredients

Instructions

  • Preheat your oven to 400°F. Spray a 24-well mini muffin tin or silicone pan with oil or coking spray.
  • Place the shredded cauliflower in a kitchen towel and sprinkle with 1/2 teaspoon salt. Toss slightly and let sit for about 10 minutes. Then squeeze out the excess moisture.
  • Combine the squeezed cauliflower, cheese, cornmeal, egg, Old Bay Seasoning, and pepper in a large bowl, and mix together thoroughly. I like to use a fork.
  • Using a spoon or scoop, divide the mixture between 24 muffin cups and press down firmly into the cups.
  • Bake at 400°F for 20-25 minutes, or until golden brown. Let cool slightly before using a butter knife to gently remove them from the pan.

Notes

I use the shredding blade on my food processor to shred cauliflower. You can use the stems as well, not just the florets, since it is all being shredded and mixed together.
Nutrition Facts
Old Bay Cauliflower Tots
Amount Per Serving (4 tots)
Calories 134 Calories from Fat 72
% Daily Value*
Fat 8g12%
Saturated Fat 4g20%
Trans Fat 0.003g
Polyunsaturated Fat 1g
Monounsaturated Fat 2g
Cholesterol 46mg15%
Sodium 352mg15%
Potassium 289mg8%
Carbohydrates 10g3%
Fiber 2g8%
Sugar 2g2%
Protein 8g16%
Vitamin A 238IU5%
Vitamin C 39mg47%
Calcium 159mg16%
Iron 1mg6%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
Disclaimers: Please discuss your individual dietary needs (i.e. gluten free) with a physician. Even when not specified, be sure to verify all ingredients are gluten free, if needed, by reading labels on all packaging and/or confirming with the manufacturer this varies by brand and can change at any time. Nutrition information shown is an estimate and not guaranteed to be accurate.

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29 Comments
  1. Susan

    5 stars
    I love Old Bay Seasoning, but 1t. salt and 1t. Old Bay is way too much sodium for me. I won’t put down Old Bay or tell anyone “Don’t use it” . I just need to substitute salt-free seasoning for the salt and salt added seasoning. These are great! More cauliflower, less potato!

    1. Brianne Cupcakes & Kale Chips

      Old Bay can be pretty salty, especially if you’re not used to having it. I’m glad you were able to make the recipe work for you!

    1. Brianne Cupcakes & Kale Chips

      Hi Jodi!
      My apologies for the typo. It’s supposed to say “cornmeal, ground oats, or breadcrumbs”. So the answer is, yes… regular cornmeal. I’ve corrected the error in the recipe. 🙂

  2. Have I told you how happy you make me when you post another cauliflower recipe? I wish I lived next door to you so I could taste them right away.

  3. I would be happy to eat your portion of crab! Though I don’t really like having to get the meat myself. It is too messy and so much work for such a little bite. But every once in a while I am up for the challenge. These cauiltots look amazing and what a great use for some Old Bay!

  4. OK, this is probably the world’s dumbest question, but is the seasoning in the Red Lobster biscuits Old Bay? Because if it is, I’m going to kick myself for the years of tinkering with biscuit recipes trying to get it “just right.” And if the cauli-tots taste as good, I’m giving them a try!

  5. Gwen @simplyhealthyfamily

    You’ve done it yet again Brianne!! I love this cauli tot treat, especially the Old Bay addition! Perfect finger food for our Fam!

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