Imagine biting into a crispy, golden Yellow Squash Tots, bursting with cheesy goodness and a touch of aromatic herbs. This recipe transforms fresh yellow squash into delightful little bites that can easily steal the show at any gathering. Whether you’re serving them as a snack or a side, everyone will love these scrumptious tots and the accompanying tangy yogurt dip!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Versatile Snack: These tots serve as an excellent snack or side dish, perfect for any occasion.
- Nutritious and Delicious: Packed with fresh squash and herbs, these morsels are as healthy as they are tasty.
- Easy to Make: With simple ingredients and steps, you can whip up a batch in no time.
- Family-Friendly: Even the picky eaters won’t be able to resist the cheesy, crispy texture.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Creating these Yellow Squash Tots is all about simplicity. Each ingredient plays a vital role in delivering the perfect combination of flavors and textures. Let’s look at what’s required to make these golden beauties shine.
- Yellow Squash: The star ingredient, lending a mild and slightly sweet flavor to the tots.
- Grated Cheddar Cheese: Adds richness and a gooey, melt-in-your-mouth texture.
- Breadcrumbs: These help bind the tots while giving them a crispy exterior.
- Egg: Acts as a binder, ensuring the tots hold their shape.
- Onion and Garlic Powder: Provide a pleasing depth of flavor and aromatic essence.
- Salt and Pepper: Essential for enhancing all the flavors.
- Parsley: Optional but adds a fresh herbal note if desired.
Variations
Flexibility is the name of the game with Yellow Squash Tots. Feel free to tweak this recipe to suit your family’s taste buds or dietary preferences. Here’s how you can mix it up:
- Cheesy Twist: Swap out cheddar for mozzarella or gouda for a different cheese profile.
- Herb Infusion: Experiment with different herbs like dill or basil for unique flavors.
- Spicy Kick: Add a pinch of cayenne pepper for a little heat.
How to Make Yellow Squash Tots
Step 1: Preheat and Prepare
Start by preheating your oven to 400°F. Lay a large baking sheet with parchment paper or grease it lightly with olive oil to ensure those tots slide right off once they’re baked to perfection.
Step 2: Grate and Drain the Squash
Grate the squash finely using a grater or food processor. Mix in ½ teaspoon of salt, and let it sit in a colander to draw out moisture. Squeeze the excess liquid—it’s crucial for achieving those crisp, not soggy, tots!
Step 3: Mix and Form Tots
Combine the drained squash with all remaining ingredients in a large bowl. Form the mixture into tots with your hands. Dip your hands in cold water occasionally to prevent sticking, and arrange the tots on your prepared baking sheet.
Step 4: Bake
Bake for 25 minutes until they’re golden brown and beckoning you with their tantalizing aroma. Let them rest for 5 minutes to firm up before serving.
Step 5: Make the Yogurt Dip
While the tots are baking, whisk together the yogurt dip ingredients. This fresh, zesty dip complements the tots perfectly, offering a cool contrast to the warm bites.
Pro Tips for Making Yellow Squash Tots
- Perfect Squash Squeeze: Squeeze out as much liquid as possible to prevent sogginess and achieve crispy tots.
- Even Tots: Form tots of similar size for even baking.
- Herb Addition: Adding fresh herbs like parsley or dill can elevate the flavor profile significantly.
- Dip Enhancement: Adjust the garlic and lemon in the dip to your preference for a personalized touch.
How to Serve Yellow Squash Tots
Garnishes
A sprinkle of fresh parsley or a dash of paprika over the top adds a pop of color and a burst of additional flavor to your Yellow Squash Tots.
Side Dishes
Pair these tots with a fresh green salad or roasted vegetables for a well-rounded meal. They also go well as a side for grilled chicken or fish.
Creative Ways to Present
For a playful presentation, serve the tots in mini skewers or popsicle sticks. This not only adds a fun element but also makes them easy to dip!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Place any leftover tots in an airtight container in the fridge, and they’ll stay fresh for up to three days.
Freezing
To freeze, lay them out on a tray to freeze individually before transferring to a bag. They’ll keep well for up to two months and are perfect for spontaneous snack cravings!
Reheating
Reheat in a preheated oven at 350°F until warmed through for the best texture, or use an air fryer for extra crispiness.
FAQs
-
Can I use zucchini instead of yellow squash?
Yes! Zucchini works perfectly in this recipe and has a similar flavor and moisture content to yellow squash.
-
What can I use as a breadcrumb substitute?
Try using crushed cornflakes, panko, or even ground oats as alternative binders in the recipe.
-
How can I make these tots gluten-free?
Substitute regular breadcrumbs with gluten-free breadcrumbs or almond flour to make the recipe suitable for a gluten-free diet.
-
Is it necessary to use cheese in the recipe?
Nope, you can skip the cheese or use a dairy-free alternative if you prefer. They will still be delicious!
Final Thoughts
Yellow Squash Tots are a delightful snack that you can make again and again. These versatile bites are perfect for entertaining or as a healthy treat that everyone will enjoy. I hope you’ll give them a try and feel inspired to put your own twist on this fun recipe. Bon appétit!
Print
Yellow Squash Tots Recipe
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 24 tots 1x
- Category: Appetizer, Side Dish
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
These delicious yellow squash tots are a healthy and flavorful vegetarian appetizer or side dish. Made with fresh grated yellow squash, cheese, and a crispy breadcrumb coating, they are baked to perfection and served with a tangy Greek yogurt dip. Perfect for a quick snack or a nutritious addition to your meal.
Ingredients
For the Tots:
- 3 small yellow squashes or zucchini (about 1–1.5 lb)
- 1 egg
- 4 oz grated cheddar cheese (about 1/2 cup)
- 3/4 cup breadcrumbs
- 1/2 medium onion, finely chopped
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- 1/2 tsp salt
- Ground black pepper to taste
- Optional: 2 tablespoons (1/4 cup) finely minced parsley leaves
For the Yogurt Dip:
- 1/3 cup unsweetened Greek yogurt
- 2 tsp lemon juice (from about 1/2 lemon or to taste)
- 1 tsp finely minced parsley (or dill, or 1/2 tsp dried parsley or dill)
- 1/4 tsp garlic powder (or 1 small minced garlic clove)
- 1/4 tsp salt or to taste
- 1/4 tsp black pepper to taste
Instructions
- Preheat the oven: Set your oven to 400°F and line a large baking sheet with parchment paper or lightly grease it with olive oil.
- Prepare the squash: Grate the yellow squash using a fine grater or a food processor. Mix the grated squash with ½ teaspoon salt and let sit for a few minutes. Then, transfer the grated squash to a colander or cheesecloth and squeeze out all excess liquid.
- Mix the ingredients: In a large bowl, combine the squeezed squash, egg, grated cheese, breadcrumbs, chopped onion, garlic powder, salt, black pepper, and optional parsley. Mix until a sticky, wet mixture forms. If it’s too wet, add more breadcrumbs.
- Form the tots: Use your hands to shape about 1.5-2 tablespoon portions into small tots. Keep your hands cold by dipping them in water between shaping each tot to prevent sticking.
- Bake the tots: Arrange the tots on the prepared baking sheet. Bake for 25 minutes, or until golden brown on top and lightly browned on the bottom. Allow resting for 5 minutes before removing to help prevent sticking.
- Make the dip: While the tots bake, whisk together Greek yogurt, lemon juice, parsley, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper in a small bowl. Serve the dip alongside the warm tots.
Notes
- For a crispy texture, you can broil the tots for an additional 2-3 minutes at the end of baking.
- Ensure you squeeze out as much liquid as possible from the squash to help the tots hold together.
- Can be made gluten-free by using gluten-free breadcrumbs.
- Feel free to substitute fresh herbs like dill or chives in the dip for variation.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 tot (about 1.5 oz)
- Calories: 55
- Sugar: 1g
- Sodium: 120mg
- Fat: 3.5g
- Saturated Fat: 1.5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 6g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 3g
- Cholesterol: 15mg
