Air Fryer Broccoli Cheddar (Print)

Crunchy broccoli and cheddar bites cooked in the air fryer for a quick, tasty snack or side dish.

# What You'll Need:

→ Vegetables

01 - 2 cups broccoli florets (about 1 medium head)
02 - 1 small onion, finely chopped

→ Dairy

03 - 1 cup sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
04 - 1 large egg

→ Dry Ingredients

05 - 2/3 cup panko breadcrumbs
06 - 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
07 - 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
08 - 1/2 teaspoon salt
09 - 1/4 teaspoon black pepper

# Directions:

01 - Preheat air fryer to 375°F for 3 minutes.
02 - Bring a medium pot of salted water to a boil. Add broccoli florets and blanch for 2 minutes. Drain and rinse with cold water. Pat dry thoroughly with paper towels.
03 - Finely chop the broccoli or pulse in a food processor until it resembles rice grains.
04 - In a large bowl, combine chopped broccoli, onion, cheddar cheese, egg, panko, flour, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Mix thoroughly until well combined and mixture holds together.
05 - Scoop approximately 1 tablespoon of mixture and shape into small cylindrical tot forms. Repeat with remaining mixture until all portions are shaped.
06 - Lightly spray the air fryer basket with cooking oil. Arrange tots in a single layer, leaving adequate space between each piece.
07 - Air fry for 12 to 15 minutes, turning halfway through cooking, until golden brown and crispy.
08 - Transfer to serving plate and serve immediately with desired dipping sauce.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • They're crispy on the outside and creamy on the inside without a single drop of deep frying oil.
  • Kids actually ask for broccoli when it looks like this, which feels like winning the parenting lottery.
  • The whole thing comes together in under 40 minutes, including prep and cook time.
02 -
  • Skipping the blanching step sounds like it saves time, but it'll leave you with watery, falling-apart tots—trust the process.
  • Air fryer baskets vary wildly, so start checking at 12 minutes; some cook faster than others, and you don't want overcooked or undercooked centers.
03 -
  • Don't skip the paper towel step after blanching—even a little residual moisture will affect how crispy your tots become in the air fryer.
  • If your mixture feels too wet to hold together, add a tablespoon more panko at a time until it reaches the right consistency.
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