Description

Crispy, golden-baked zucchini tots coated in panko breadcrumbs and sharp cheddar cheese, served with a homemade ranch dipping sauce. A fast, budget-friendly, and crowd-pleasing game day snack.

Ingredients

Scale

3 medium zucchini (about 1.5 lbs / 680g)
1 cup sharp cheddar cheese, freshly grated (115g)
½ cup parmesan cheese, freshly grated (50g)
2 large eggs
1 cup panko breadcrumbs (100g)
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon garlic powder
½ teaspoon onion powder
½ teaspoon kosher salt (or to taste)
Black pepper (to taste)
Olive oil spray
½ cup sour cream
¼ cup mayonnaise
2 tablespoons fresh dill, chopped
1 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped
1 garlic clove, minced
1 teaspoon lemon juice
½ teaspoon white vinegar
2–3 tablespoons buttermilk

Instructions

Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
Wash and trim zucchini ends. Shred zucchini using the large holes of a box grater.
Place shredded zucchini in a clean kitchen towel or cheesecloth and wring out as much liquid as possible. This step is crucial for crispiness.
In a large bowl, combine dried zucchini, grated cheddar, grated parmesan, beaten eggs, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper. Mix well.
Set up a dredging station with flour in one shallow bowl and panko breadcrumbs in another.
Take a tablespoon of the zucchini mixture and roll it into a log shape (about 2 inches long). Place on baking sheet.
Roll each tot in flour, shaking off excess, then roll in panko breadcrumbs, pressing gently to adhere.
Lightly spray the tops of the tots with olive oil spray.
Bake for 15-18 minutes, flipping halfway through, until golden brown and crispy.
While tots bake, whisk together sour cream, mayonnaise, chopped dill, chopped parsley, minced garlic, lemon juice, white vinegar, salt, and pepper.
Add buttermilk gradually to reach desired dipping consistency.
Serve tots immediately with the ranch sauce on the side.

Notes

Ensure zucchini is thoroughly dried to prevent soggy tots. Use fresh grated cheese rather than pre-shredded for better melting. Panko breadcrumbs provide superior crunch compared to regular breadcrumbs. For a gluten-free version, use gluten-free panko and flour. For a vegan version, substitute eggs with flax eggs and use vegan cheese alternatives.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 18 minutes
Category: Appetizer
Cuisine: American

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 tot with 1 tablesp
Calories: 45
Sugar: 1
Sodium: 80
Fat: 2
Saturated Fat: 1
Carbohydrates: 4
Fiber: 1
Protein: 2

Keywords: zucchini tots, game day snacks, healthy snacks, baked zucchini, cheesy zucchini, ranch dip, vegetarian appetizer, easy recipes, party food