I’ve been on the cauliflower bandwagon for awhile now, ever since I discovered the delicious goodness that is these Cauliflower, Cheese and Bacon Fritters. These Cauliflower and Cheese Nuggets were inspired in part by these fritters, but as a healthier alternative to chicken nuggets which my boys would happily consume every single day if allowed.
There is no denying that these Cauliflower and Cheese Nuggets DO taste different to regular Chicken Nuggets, however thankfully my kids are still naive enough to believe me when I tell them they are ‘special chicken nuggets’ which is kind of true anyway I guess!
We’ve made these a few times now and I’ve even been brave enough to add 100g of corn kernels to the mixture to sneak some extra veggies into the kids. I was caught out, however they still ate them albeit covered in homemade tomato sauce.
These are really simple to make either using a food processor or a thermomix (instructions for both methods below) and this is also a great recipe to make with the kids, although be warned their nuggets may look a lot different to yours! This recipe does make quite a few nuggets and you can freeze any leftovers for another day.
Cauliflower and Cheese Nuggets
Ingredients
- 1 cauliflower - approximately 600g
- 1 egg - lightly beaten
- ½ cup of breadcrumbs
- ½ teaspoon of onion flakes
- ¾ cup of tasty cheese
- ¼ cup of mozzarella cheese - finely grated
- ¼ cup of parmesan cheese
- salt and pepper
- olive oil spray - optional
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 190 degrees and line two trays with baking paper.
- Cut the cauliflower into small florets and blitz in a food processor until it resembles breadcrumbs.
- Transfer the cauliflower to a large mixing bowl and add the breadcrumbs, egg, onion flakes, cheeses and a little salt and pepper. Mix well to combine.
- Use a dessert spoon to scoop up the mixture and shape it with your hands to form a 'nugget' shape. Place the Cauliflower and Cheese Nuggets onto your prepared baking tray and repeat until all the mixture has been used.
- Give your Cauliflower and Cheese Nuggets a light spray with olive oil (optional) before placing them into your oven to bake for 10 minutes. Carefully turn them over and cook for a further 5 minutes or until golden.
- Serve immediately.
Nutrition
Thermomix Cauliflower and Cheese Nuggets Recipe
- Place the three cheeses into your Thermomix bowl (cut into cubes no more than 3cm) and blitz for 8 seconds on speed 9 to finely grate. Transfer to a new bowl and set aside until needed.
- Cut the cauliflower into small florets and place into your thermomix bowl. Mix for 7 seconds on speed 7 or until the cauliflower resembles rice.
- Add the egg, breadcrumbs, onion flakes,grated cheeses, salt and pepper to your Thermomix bowl with the cauliflower and blitz for 15 seconds on speed 5. You will need to use your spatula to carefully push down the mixture while it combines..
- Scrape down the sides and blitz for a further 15 seconds on speed 5 or until combined.
- Use a spoon to scoop up the mixture and shape it with your hands to form a ‘nugget’ shape. Place the Cauliflower and Cheese Nuggets onto your prepared baking tray and repeat until all the mixture has been used.
- Give your Cauliflower and Cheese Nuggets a light spray with olive oil (optional) before placing them into your oven to bake for 10 minutes. Carefully turn them over and bake for a further 5 minutes or until golden.
Would your kids be naive enough to believe these are ‘special chicken nuggets’ too?
Karin @ Calm to Conniption
Bahahaha “special chicken nuggets”, I wonder if I could get away with that one??
Lauren
It’s worth a try!
jess
Yum! Love to find ways to incorporate more cauliflower, this is perfect!
Lauren
Thanks Jess 🙂
Claire @ Life on Wallace
I doubt my kids would fall for it, but I’d eat them! Yum!
Lauren
I’m lucky my two are still naive!
Paula, The Geeky Shopaholic
I’m not big on cauliflower, but these look really good! I’d definitely give them a try. 🙂
Lauren
Thanks Paula!
Marie
These look delicious! I love cauliflower anyway, so why not add some yummy cheese!
Lauren
Thanks Marie, you can’t go wrong when you add cheese 😉
Kim @ Zonkt Designs
Oh hun, what a fabulous idea… I too am a little cray cray on the cauli of late.
It’s so freakin’ versatile.
LOVE this alternative, plus how great would they be as canapés.
YUM! Thanks for linking up to Your Weekly Feed hun xx
Lauren
It really is and when it’s so cheap too I can’t resist it. Thanks for hosting x
Amy @ Handbagmafia
Yum! We’ve been all about cauli lately so I’ll try these!
Lauren
I hope you enjoy them 🙂
Shari from GoodFoodWeek
I think these would go down a treat with my boys – maybe I should premake and freeze some for when our newborn arrives.
Lauren
Sounds like a great idea!
sarah@tomfo
I am so going to have to give this a try, my little guy would eat nuggets every day if he could too! What’s with that? Thanks for sharing have a lovely weekend x
Sammie @ The Annoyed Thyroid
This is just genius and delicious genius at that!