One of the funny things about growing your own food is that it never seems to arrive in neat little portions. Instead, the garden tends to give us everything at once—an abundance of zucchinis, a mountain of tomatoes, or in this case, a jungle of broccoli heads all ripening together.
It’s a beautiful problem to have, of course, but it does mean we need to get a little creative in the kitchen. Well-loved recipes become more than just meals—they’re ways of transforming those garden spoils into nourishing food for the months ahead.
This recipe for Broccoli Tots is one of my go-to’s when the broccoli glut hits or if you aren't a grower when they are on special at the shops. It’s simple, wholesome, and—best of all—kid approved. My children will happily grab these straight from the oven, and they’re equally perfect for freezing so you can tuck away a stash for quick and healthy snacks on busy days.
Here’s what you’ll need:
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Broccoli
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Eggs ( omit if your egg free and use alternative binding agent )
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Bread crumbs (or a gluten-free alternative)
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Cheese ( switch to a vegan alternative nutritional yeast can work)
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Garlic powder
- pinch of salt or favourite seasoning
Method:
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Separate your broccoli florets and dice the stem (don’t let it go to waste!). Blanch in hot water until just tender, then drain.
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Either finely dice the broccoli by hand or pop it into the food processor for ease.
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Mix together with the eggs, bread crumbs, cheese, and garlic powder. You’ll know the mix is ready when you can shape it into little balls.
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Shape into tots and bake for 20–25 minutes at 200°C. If you’re planning to freeze to heat and eat later, do so after baking then reheat from frozen in the oven like you do frozen chips.
That’s it—simple, nourishing food from the garden to the table.
I love recipes like this because they honour the abundance of the season. Instead of feeling overwhelmed by too much of one thing, we can tuck it away in a form the whole family enjoys. These broccoli tots are proof that sometimes the humblest vegetables can become the most loved treats.