Cauliflower Tots, Keto Air Fryer Recipe- 4 Net Carbs! (2024)

By Robin Gagnon | Updated on 03/09/2022

Yes, cauliflower tater tots are a thing. This keto cauliflower tots recipe is made in the air fryer for speed and crispiness. Yes, you can do them in the oven if you don't have an air fryer. I'll leave tips for that.

Cauliflower Tots, Keto Comfort Food

Tater tots were their own food group to me, when I was growing up. They were about the only thing I liked from the school lunch room. Alas, when you get older and chubbier, some things from youth must be put aside.... OR DO THEY. This cheesy cauliflower tots recipe is keto friendly, weighing in at a meager 4 carbs per eight tot serving. So we can relive our childhoods and eat the tots without guilt! Yay!

Mashed Cauliflower is blended with cheese, pork rinds, almond flour and seasonings. This mixture is formed and baked until crisp to make a low carb healthy recipe version of the classic we all love.

Air Fryer Cauliflower Tots

Like any convection style oven an air fryer will cook foods faster and get them crisper. This is ideal when you are making Cauliflower Tots as texture is so important to getting the effect of a "real" tater tot.

Standard Convection

With a typical convection oven I would bump the temperature up at least 25 degrees to 375 and add on a couple minutes per side. Of course they would go on a greased or parchment lined baking sheet.

Regular Oven

The tots would go on a baking sheet coating with cooking spray or lined with parchment. I recommend 400 degrees and longer cooking time (about 20 minutes). All ovens vary, when they are lightly browned and crisped that are done.

Air Fryer Cheesy Cauliflower Tots

Ingredients Needed

• 1 Medium sized head of cauliflower cut into florets
• 1 Egg
• 1 cup Cheddar cheese shredded
• 1 cup Crushed pork rind crumbs
• ½ tsp. Onion powder
• ½ tsp. Garlic powder
• ½ tsp. Paprika
• ¼ cup Almond flour
• Salt and pepper to taste

Preparation

Place the cauliflower florets into a pot, and cover in water. Cook on the stove at a boil for 5-10 minutes until tender, but not super soft or mushy. Rinse in cold water, and drain extremely well.

Place the well-drained cauliflower into a food processor and pulse just until the large pieces break up.

Time Hack: Use thawed frozen Cauliflower rice.

Add the pork rind crumbs, cheddar cheese, egg, onion powder, garlic powder and paprika to the food processor with the cauliflower.

Pulse until completely combined. Season with salt and pepper to taste.

Stir the almond flour into the cauliflower mixture until it has the consistency of mashed potatoes.

Preheat the air fryer to 350 degrees.

Form the cauliflower mixture into 40 small tater tot shapes.

Add the cauliflower tots to a parchment lined tray, and place them into the air fryer. Cook for 4-5 minutes per side, or until browned and crispy on the outside.

Serving

These are great as a snack, dunked in sugar free ketchup, Keto Yum Yum Sauce, fry sauce, seasoned sour cream dip, garlic mayo, or some Avocado Ranch Dressing.

The cauliflower tots are a great side dish for Keto BBQ Chicken Legs, Asparagus Stuffed Chicken or teamed withBacon Wrapped Cheeseburger Lollipopsto elevate the appetizer to a meal.

Keto Side Dishes

Here are some more keto side dishes to team with your cauli tots.

• Sauteed Asparagus and Mushrooms
• Broccoli Rabe Recipe - Perfect Keto Side Dish
• Spanish Cauliflower Rice
• Cheesy Baked Asparagus