These crispy tots are a lighter version of classic tater tots. They are crispy on the outside and soft and cheesy on the inside. These tots need just 4 ingredients. No frying required.
A cottage cheese tot dipped in sauce

With summer coming to an end, I have been making more back-to-school meals and snacks. These healthier crispy tater tots are lighter than traditional tater tots and add a boost of protein. They are easy to make and work well for a side dish or snack.

Ingredients

  • Cottage cheese
  • Cauliflower rice
  • Eggs
  • Panko breadcrumbs

Cottage cheese: Cottage cheese gives these tots a boost of protein and adds a cheesy flavor to the tots.

Cauliflower rice: Instead of potatoes, these tots are made with cauliflower rice. Cauliflower rice mimics the texture of potatoes while also making the tots a little healthier.

Eggs: An egg is used as a binding agent.

Panko breadcrumbs: Italian panko breadcrumbs help bind everything together and provide the crispy exterior. This recipe works best with panko breadcrumbs rather than regular breadcrumbs, which don’t crisp up as much. I also recommend using Italian panko breadcrumbs which add Italian seasoning and flavor to the tots.

How to Make Cottage Cheese Cauliflower Tots

The cauliflower rice is strained through a fine mesh strainer. Add the cauliflower rice, cottage cheese, egg, and breadcrumbs to a large mixing bowl and mix until evenly combined. If you prefer more salt flavor, you can also add in 3/4 tsp salt.
Ingredients to make the mixture for cottage cheese tots in a bowl and then mixed together
Use a 1.5 tbsp cookie scoop to scoop the mixture and shape into cylinders about 1-inch long.

Place the tots on your prepared baking sheet. If you want the tots to have a golden brown finish, spray the surface of the tots with cooking oil.

Bake the tots for about 15 minutes or until the bottoms have browned. Then flip the tots over and bake again until for another 12-15 minutes or until tots are crispy and golden brown on both sides.
Tots on a baking sheet before and after baking
If desired, you can also garnish the tots with some finely chopped parsley. Let the tots cool slightly before serving with your favorite dipping sauce.
A golden brown tot after baking

Expert Tips

  • The tater tots do get crispy without spraying them with oil, but they will stay pale in color without the oil.
  • This recipe works best with panko breadcrumbs. Regular breadcrumbs do not hold up as well.
  • The tater tots have some flavor and salt, but if you prefer more salt, you can add 3/4 tsp salt to the batter or sprinkle salt on the tots after they are done cooking.
  • You can also cook these in the air fryer. Air fryer requires less cooking time and you don’t need to flip the tots.

Cottage cheese tots on a plate with a dipping sauce

More Cottage Cheese Recipes

5 from 1 vote

4 Ingredient Crispy Cottage Cheese Tots

Crispy on the outside with a soft, cheesy center, these 4-Ingredient Cottage Cheese Cauliflower Tots are an easy, protein-boosted twist on a classic comfort food. Great as a kid-friendly snack, or a simple side—no frying, no fuss, just crunchy, cheesy tots.
Servings: 21 tots
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Total Time: 45 minutes
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Ingredients

  • 1 (12oz/340g) bag frozen cauliflower rice, thawed
  • 1/2 cup (108g) 4% cottage cheese, excess liquid drained
  • 1 large egg
  • 3/4 cup (48g) Italian panko breadcrumbs

Instructions
 

  • Preheat the oven to 400°F (204°C). Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper.
  • Transfer the thawed cauliflower rice to a fine-mesh strainer. Using paper towels or a clean kitchen towel, press firmly to remove as much liquid as possible. The cauliflower should feel very dry.
  • Add the cauliflower, cottage cheese, egg, and breadcrumbs to a large mixing bowl. Mix until evenly combined. The mixture is thick and should be able to hold its shape. If you want more salt in your tots, also mix in 3/4 tsp salt into the batter.
  • Use a 1.5 tbsp cookie scoop to scoop the mixture and shape into classic cylinder tot shape, about 1-inch long.
  • Arrange the tots in a single layer on the prepared baking sheet, leaving space between each one. Optional: If you want the tots to have a golden brown finish, spray the surface of the tots with cooking oil spray.
  • Bake for about 15 minutes until the bottom of the tots are browned. Flip tots over and bake for another 12-15 minutes until the tots are crispy and golden brown on both sides (if not using oil spray, the tots will be more pale but should still crisp up). You can also cook the tots in the air fryer at 400°F (204°C) for about 15 minutes (no need to flip the tots) or until crispy and golden.
  • Let cool for a few minutes before serving and enjoy with your favorite dipping sauce. You can also garnish the tots with finely chopped parsley and add salt if desired. Store any uneaten tots in an airtight container in the fridge or freezer.

Notes

  • This recipe works best with 4% cottage cheese. Lowfat cottage cheese is more watery.
  • This recipe works best with Italian seasoned panko breadcrumbs. Regular breadcrumbs will not get crispy enough. I used Progresso Italian Style Panko Bread Crumbs.*
  • Cauliflower rice sold at stores is usually sold frozen, which is why this recipe uses frozen cauliflower rice. I used Whole Foods cauliflower rice.*
  • *These product links are affiliate links. This means I earn a commission from qualifying purchases.
Serving: 1tot, Calories: 21kcal, Carbohydrates: 3g, Protein: 1g, Fat: 1g, Saturated Fat: 0.2g, Sodium: 62mg, Fiber: 0.3g, Sugar: 1g, NET CARBS: 3
The nutrition information provided are only estimates based on an online nutritional calculator. This is not a comprehensive list of all the nutrients in the recipe (i.e., does not include vitamins, cholesterol, etc). I am not a certified nutritionist. Please consult a nutritionist or doctor for accurate information and any dietary restrictions and concerns you may have.
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