Cauliflower Tots are made with cauliflower rice, sundried tomatoes, fresh basil and two cheeses. Dip them in a warm balsamic dipping sauce for a flavorful appetizer.
Flavorful cauliflower bites bursting with Italian flavors and cheeses are guaranteed to become a favorite appetizer recipe..
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Cauliflower Bites
I have an obsession. I will admit it.
I am totally obsessed with my beloved cauliflower!
How do I love my cauliflower? Let me count the ways.
I love cauliflower for breakfast with eggs, tomatoes and chorizo, cauliflower for lunch in my soup and cauliflower as a side dish vegetable.
For my Meatless Monday dinner I'll have a serving of cauliflower steaks.
Cauliflower florettes are tender with a slight crunch for having with dips.
The list goes on and on.
I love the versatility of this delicious, nutritious, trendy and oh so popular vegetable.
It can be crunchy, creamy and milky sweet.
And here comes my nutritionist training....
Best of all, it is low in calories, high in fiber, low fat and contains omega-3, vitamin C, vitamin K and provides anti-inflammatory and antioxidant benefits!
So get ready for another delicious recipe with cauliflower. Today, I'm making an appetizer recipe for Cauliflower Tots. And I'm dipping them in a balsamic pizza sauce! You're welcome!
Cauliflower Tots are made with cauliflower rice, bits of sundried tomatoes, flecks of fresh basil leaves and a combination of mozzarella and Parmesan cheeses.
Add that warm balsamic dipping sauce and I think all of this explains why I am in an obsessive relationship with cauliflower!
I currently don't need any other food.
Cauliflower, you complete me.
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If you love cauliflower as much as I do, you'll want to read what does cauliflower taste like, including easy cauliflower recipes.
How to make cauliflower rice
- Using a box grater or a food processor, grate or process raw cauliflower until it is the size of rice
- Store cauliflower rice in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days until you are ready to make a recipe with the vegetable rice
Recipe Tips
- You can make your own cauliflower rice or purchase ready made cauliflower rice in the produce section or freezer aisle at your grocery store.
- Cauliflower tots can be made ahead and reheated in the air fryer or in the oven.
- You can also prep the tots, refrigerate them until you are ready to bake, let them come to room temperature and then bake according to the recipe directions below.
Substitutions
- Mozzarella - Shredded Italian cheese or shredded cheddar cheese can replace mozzarella cheese.
- Onion - You can use white onion, sweet onion or shallots instead of red onion
Ingredients
Cauliflower tots ingredients
- Cauliflower Rice - These tender bits of cauliflower are the base of these tots
- Sundried Tomatoes - Sundried tomatoes add a burst of italian tomato flavor
- Seasoned Breadcrumbs - Breadcrumbs are one of the binders and also add an Italian herbal flavor
- Egg - Egg is the binder that helps to hold the ingredients together to form tots
- Mozzarella - Shredded mozzarella adds cheesiness and flavor
- Parmesan - Parmesan cheese adds a salty note
- Fresh Basil - Fresh basil adds an Italian herbal flavor
- Onion - Onion adds a hint of onion flavor
- Garlic - Garlic adds a savory depth of flavor
- Salt - Salt makes all the flavors pop
- Pepper - Adds a hint of peppery notes
- Pizza Sauce - Adds an Italian flavor
- Balsamic Vinegar - Adds a slightly sweet flavor to the dipping sauce
Recipes with Cauliflower Rice
- Jalapeno Lime Cauliflower Rice Salad
- Cauliflower Salad with Fresh Vegetables
- Cauliflower Patties
- Cauliflower Risotto
- Grilled Cheese with Cauliflower Bread
Cauliflower Tots With Balsamic Dipping Sauce Recipe
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Ingredients
Cauliflower Tots
- 2 cups packed cauliflower rice , or 1 (10 ounce pkg.) cauliflower rice
- 1 large egg
- 1/2 cup Italian seasoned breadcrumbs
- ½ cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/4 cup chopped sundried tomatoes
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh basil leaves
- 1 Tablespoon finely chopped onion
- 1 small clove garlic , minced
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/8 teaspoon pepper
Dipping Sauce
- 1 cup pizza sauce
- 1 Tablespoon Balsamic vinegar
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Instructions
Cauliflower Tots
- Place cauliflower rice in microwave-safe bowl and cover with plastic wrap. Microwave 2 minutes or until tender. Cool. Squeeze dry.
- Preheat oven to 375F. Spray baking sheet with non-stick cooking spray.
- Combine cauliflower rice, egg, breadcrumbs, mozzarella, Parmesan, sundried tomatoes, onion, fresh basil, garlic, salt and pepper. Using wet hands, shape into 30 tots, about 1 Tablespoonful each.
- Arrange on prepared baking sheet and generously spray tops of tots with non-stick cooking spray. Bake 25 minutes or until golden. Let stand 5 minutes to firm up before serving.
Dipping Sauce
- Meanwhile, heat pizza sauce and balsamic vinegar. Serve warm dipping sauce with cauliflower tots.
Notes
Nutrition
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