Description
Crispy, golden-brown cauliflower tots made in the air fryer. These gluten-free, low-carb snacks are ready in under 20 minutes and offer a healthier alternative to traditional potato tots.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 medium head of cauliflower (about 2–2.5 lbs), yielding 4-5 cups riced
- 1 large egg
- ½ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- ¼ cup almond flour
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon dried parsley
- ½ teaspoon sea salt
- Generous crack of black pepper
- ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
- Extra virgin olive oil or avocado oil spray
- 2 tablespoons additional Parmesan cheese for topping
Instructions
- Preheat air fryer to 390°F (200°C).
- Remove leaves and stem from cauliflower. Cut into florets and pulse in a food processor until it resembles coarse rice. Do not over-process into mush.
- Transfer riced cauliflower to a cheesecloth or clean kitchen towel. Squeeze tightly over the sink to remove as much moisture as possible (this is crucial for crispiness).
- In a mixing bowl, combine dried cauliflower rice, egg, grated Parmesan, almond flour, garlic powder, onion powder, dried parsley, salt, and black pepper. Mix until evenly distributed and sticky.
- Form the mixture into small log shapes (tots), using about 2 tablespoons per tot. Place them in the air fryer basket with space between each for air circulation.
- Lightly spray the tops of the tots with oil spray and sprinkle with additional Parmesan cheese.
- Air fry at 390°F (200°C) for 10-12 minutes, flipping halfway through to ensure even browning.
- Remove from air fryer and let cool for 2-3 minutes to firm up before serving.
Notes
Squeezing the moisture out of the cauliflower is the most important step to prevent soggy tots. Do not overcrowd the air fryer basket; cook in batches if necessary. Let the tots cool for a few minutes after cooking to allow them to crisp up. For freezing, form raw tots and freeze on a baking sheet before transferring to a bag.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10-12 minutes
- Category: Snack
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6-8 tots per serving
- Calories: 120
- Sugar: 2
- Sodium: 250
- Fat: 8
- Saturated Fat: 3
- Carbohydrates: 6
- Fiber: 3
- Protein: 7
Keywords: air fryer, cauliflower tots, healthy snack, gluten-free, low-carb, keto, crispy vegetables, quick snacks