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Crispy Parmesan Zucchini Tots: Easy & Best Game Day Snack

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These crispy Parmesan zucchini tots are the perfect game day snack—quick, easy, and made with simple ingredients. A happy accident turned into a crowd-pleasing favorite that disappears first at every party.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 medium zucchini (about 12 ounces total), grated on a box grater
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 cup panko breadcrumbs
  • 1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
  • 1/4 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
  • 1 large egg, beaten
  • 1/4 cup finely chopped green onion (about 3 green onions, white and green parts)
  • 1 clove garlic, minced (or 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder)
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1/4 teaspoon paprika (smoked paprika is amazing)
  • Extra grated Parmesan for topping (optional)
  • Olive oil spray (or avocado oil spray)

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
  2. Grate the zucchini using a box grater into a large bowl (about 3 cups).
  3. Toss the grated zucchini with 1 teaspoon of salt and let it sit for 5 minutes to draw out some moisture.
  4. Transfer the zucchini to a clean kitchen towel and gently squeeze to remove about half the liquid. It should feel damp but not dripping.
  5. In the same bowl (wiped out), mix together panko breadcrumbs, Parmesan cheese, mozzarella, green onion, minced garlic, black pepper, and paprika until evenly distributed.
  6. Add the squeezed zucchini and beaten egg to the bowl. Mix with a fork until well combined. The mixture should hold together when squeezed; if too wet, add another tablespoon of panko.
  7. Using a cookie scoop or your hands, form the mixture into small cylinders about 1.5 inches long and 1 inch wide. Place on the prepared baking sheet, leaving about 1/2 inch between each. You should get about 20 tots.
  8. Sprinkle extra Parmesan on top of each tot, then spray lightly with olive oil spray.
  9. Bake for 18-22 minutes, rotating the pan halfway through, until golden brown and crispy on the outside.
  10. Let the tots cool on the baking sheet for 3-4 minutes before transferring to a serving platter.

Notes

Don’t squeeze all the moisture out of the zucchini—leaving a little creates steam for a fluffy interior. Use freshly grated Parmesan for the best melt and crust. Let tots rest after baking to set structure. For air fryer: cook at 375°F for 10-12 minutes. For freezing: freeze baked tots on a sheet, then transfer to a bag; reheat from frozen at 375°F for 12-15 minutes.

Nutrition

Keywords: zucchini tots, crispy zucchini tots, Parmesan zucchini tots, game day snack, easy appetizer, vegetarian snack, baked zucchini tots

Find it online: https://yumbelle.com/crispy-parmesan-zucchini-tots-easy-and-best-game-day-snack/