Broccoli & Carrots Tots 🥦🥕
Deliciously soft, veggie-loaded tots made with potato, broccoli, carrots, and parmesan. They’re simple, fuss-free, and easy to adapt for babies, toddlers, and the whole family.
These tots are soft, naturally mild, and packed with vegetables. Potato helps everything bind together while broccoli and carrots add fiber, vitamins, and color.
Age note: 6 Months+ is appropriate because all ingredients can be offered from around 6 months once your baby is developmentally ready for solids.
Important adaptation for younger babies: for babies around 6–8 months, shape the mixture into finger-length tots or soft patties instead of small nugget-style pieces. They should be soft enough to squash easily between your fingers.
Ingredients
- 250g potatoes, steamed or boiled
- 100g broccoli florets, steamed
- 100g carrots, steamed or boiled
- 30g parmesan cheese, grated
Method
- Preheat the oven to 180°C (350°F) and line a baking tray with baking paper or a silicone mat.
- Place the cooked broccoli, carrots, and potatoes in a bowl and mash them well with a fork or potato masher until the mixture is soft and mostly smooth.
- Add the grated parmesan and mix well to combine. If serving babies under 1 year, do not add salt.
- Scoop a heaped tablespoon of the mixture and shape into tots. For younger babies, make them finger-length and easy to hold.
- Place the tots on the prepared tray.
- Bake for 20–25 minutes, until lightly golden.
- Let them cool before serving. Check that the inside stays soft and easy to squish.
- Buon appetito!
Why This Recipe Works for Babies & Toddlers
- Potatoes help create a soft, easy-to-hold texture.
- Broccoli adds vitamin C, fiber, and plant compounds.
- Carrots provide beta-carotene, which supports eye health.
- Parmesan adds flavor and calcium, but should be used thoughtfully for babies because it can be salty.
Serving Suggestions by Age
- 6–8 months: Shape into long, soft finger-size tots or flattened patties. Offer whole so baby can grasp them with the palm. Make sure they break apart easily.
- 9–11 months: Serve as soft tots or broken into smaller pieces as pincer grasp develops.
- 12 months+: Serve as regular tots with dips like unsalted yogurt dip, mashed avocado, or homemade low-sodium tomato sauce.
- Older kids & adults: Great as a snack, lunchbox addition, or side dish.
Recipe Tips
- Parmesan or cheddar adds delicious flavor, but these tots can also work without cheese.
- You can use dairy-free cheese for a dairy-free version.
- Avoid adding salt if preparing for babies under 1 year.
- If the mixture feels too wet, mash more thoroughly or chill briefly before shaping.
- Do not overbake, especially for babies, because the tots should stay soft rather than firm or dry.
Observations for Babies
- Texture matters most: the tots must be very soft inside and easy to mash with gentle pressure.
- Shape matters: small round tots can be harder for a young baby to manage, so finger-shaped pieces are safer and easier at first.
- Sodium note: parmesan is naturally salty. For babies under 12 months, use a small amount, choose a milder lower-sodium cheese when possible, or omit it entirely.
- No added salt: skip salt completely for babies under 1 year.
- Allergen note: dairy is a common allergen. If cheese is new for your baby, introduce it thoughtfully and watch for any reaction.
Storage
- Let them cool completely before storing.
- Fridge: Store in an airtight container for up to 2 days.
- Freezer: Freeze for up to 3 months.
- To serve: Defrost in the fridge overnight and reheat in the oven or use the defrost function on your microwave. Always cool to a safe temperature before serving.
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