Vegan Chickpea Cauliflower Tots uses one head of cauliflower and it makes a lot of tots. A delicious and simple mix including chickpeas and seasonings would be perfect in an air fryer too.
This Cauliflower Tots recipe is just the perfect combo of flavors and it’s a simple mix including chickpeas and seasonings.
You think of a side dish when you think of tater tots but this recipe is also great as an appetizer.
They’re easy to handle and easy to dip. Another reason they can be used as an appetizer is that they are also delicious at room temperature.
Either way you’ll want to make these tots over and over again. I will admit that it takes a little time to smash the mixture into little logs but it goes more quickly than you think.
The mixture sticks together really well and there’s no breading on top so that makes the process very quick. The finished product is perfection.
We had these just last week and I served them as a side with this Roasted Vegetable Sandwich.
But then if you have kids you might as well get out the ketchup. If you’re using them as an appetizer then vegan ranch style dressing or vegan chipotle mayo goes really well too.
Can Vegan Chickpea Cauliflower Tots be made in an Air Fryer?
Yes! Very simply and the tots are even easier to handle.
If you have a paddle that automatically turns the food around then that should be removed.
Lay the tots on the bottom of the air fryer. I lightly spray the tops with an organic oil spray. This helps to get the tots browner since they won’t be truly fried.
Cook for 8 minutes at 350 F or 180 C. Open the air fryer and use a spatula to flip around the tots. You can shake the handle too. Just watch and see if they get turned pretty evenly.
Cook 8 more minutes and done!
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What if I Don’t Have a Food Processor?
No problem! It will just be made the way we made everything – not to long ago.
Separate the cauliflower florets from the heavier stems. Chop as small as possible. The florets will even crumble apart for the most part.
Use a food grater for the larger pieces of stems and chop any of the smaller pieces until they are finely diced.
Add the drained chickpeas to a bowl and mash with a potato masher or the back of a dinner fork.
Chop or grate the onion.
Mix all of the ingredients in a large bowl and begin to shape the logs.
Helpful Tools
A food processor makes the whole recipe go as quickly as a snap of the fingers.
Potato mashers aren’t just for potatoes. They will mash the chickpeas up very quickly.
If you go with an air fryer this one is a good choice.
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Vegan Chickpea Cauliflower Tots
Vegan Chickpea Cauliflower Tots uses one head of cauliflower and it makes a lot of tots.
Ingredients
- 1 head cauliflower, cleaned and roughly chopped
- 1/2 cup white onion, diced
- 1/4 cup nutritional yeast
- 15 ounces can chickpeas, drained
- 1 1/2 cups bread crumbs
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1/4 cup coconut oil for frying
Instructions
Put the cauliflower in a food processor and process until the cauliflower is in small pieces that almost looks like rice.
Lay a double layer of paper towels on the counter and spread the cauliflower on top. Press down evenly over the cauliflower with more paper towels to remove as much excess liquid as possible.
Add the rest of the ingredients (except the oil) into the food processor and pulse until well chopped.
Add the cauliflower and the rest of the mix to a large bowl and mix well. Form into small oval balls; you will get 55 to 65 tots.
Heat the coconut oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. When the oil is hot, start adding the cauliflower tots and fry on all sides. Do not crowd.
Transfer to paper towels to drain. Proceed until all the tots are fried. See the directions above the recipe card to see how to make these tots in an air fryer.
Can You Freeze this Cauliflower Tots Recipe?
Storing in the refrigerator: Will keep covered in the refrigerator for 3 to 4 days.
Freezing: Freeze in hard-sided freezer containers for up to 3 months to help hold their shape. To prepare after freezing, defrost in the refrigerator overnight.
Reheating: Heat on a baking sheet in a 350°F oven for 10 to 15 minutes.
Would you like another way to use a head of cauliflower and also some nutritional yeast? Here is a side dish for all of the cauliflower lovers out there. It’s the perfect casserole and is called Cheesy Vegan Cauliflower Mushroom Casserole.
Ginny McMeans says
Yes, you can Jimmie. After defrosting heat on a baking sheet in a 350°F oven for 10 to 15 minutes.
Jimmie McCain says
can you freeze these? Thank you
Aurora says
Man, I got to get myself an air fryer. I don’t mind cooking things like this in the frying pan, but I would love to skip all that work and get to the good part.
Ginny McMeans says
That would be at 350F or 180C Shari. I’ll add that to the information. Thanks!
Shari says
These look amazing! At what temp would you do them in the air fryer?
Pam Greer says
I love this!! Such a healthy treat! We don’t eat tater tots any more, and this will be perfect to sub back in!
Elaine @ Dishes Delish says
This recipe looks so good Ginny! My family loves tater tots but I love the idea of serving them something healthier! And it will be fun to see if they even notice. 🙂 I’ll be trying your recipe really soon!!
Suzy says
What a great idea! And these look satisfying!
Pearl Rodrigues says
This side dish is perfect for house parties.. I’m saving this for later
Marisa says
I’m sooo into both of these ingredients and cannot wait to try them in a tot! And yes same question as D, above…Thanks for sharing the baking option.
Ginny McMeans says
I didn’t try them but I would say yes. Bake them at 450 for up to 20 minutes but I would also spray them with an oil to try to get them to crisp up. Flip halfway through too.
Ginny McMeans says
Sorry about that! I fixed the link but this is the one I suggested. It’s an amazon link and it’s an extra large one. There are smaller ones too. If you have the space then this is good. https://amzn.to/2KYvqCW
Ginny McMeans says
Thanks D. Yes, you can bake them at 450 for up to 20 minutes but I would also spray them with an oil to try to get them to crisp up. Flip halfway through too. They are roughly 2 tablespoons.
Linda says
Can the cauliflower tots be baked
instead of fried?
Thanks!
VitalVegan says
This looks fun for the grandchildren. ‘Have never tried an air fryer. The link you suggested for a food one brought me back to your page. Would you give me your recommendation? Thanks!
D says
Hi! These look delicious!
I have 2 questions –
Can you bake them?
About how much mixture do you use for each ball?
Thank you!