Crispy Golden 2-Ingredient Cottage Cheese Tots (Print Version)

Make crispy golden 2-Ingredient Cottage Cheese Tots! Just two ingredients for a simple snack or side. My kitchen secret for a quick, yummy bite.

# Recipe Info:

Prep Time: 10 Minutes minutes
Cook Time: 25 Minutes minutes
Total Time: 35 minutes
Servings: 4 Servings
Difficulty: Beginner
Cuisine: American
Dietary: Vegetarian

# Ingredients:

→ Base Ingredients for Cottage Cheese Tots

01 - 2 cups full-fat cottage cheese, well-drained
02 - 1/2 cup self-rising flour

→ Flavor Boosters & Seasoning

03 - 1 teaspoon garlic powder
04 - 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
05 - 1/4 teaspoon smoked paprika (optional)
06 - 1/2 teaspoon salt (or to taste)
07 - 1/4 teaspoon black pepper (or to taste)

# Instructions:

01 - Okay, first things first, you gotta drain that cottage cheese. This is a critical step I learned the hard way! Scoop your full-fat cottage cheese into a fine-mesh sieve or a colander lined with cheesecloth. Let it sit for about 10-15 minutes, pressing gently to encourage the liquid to escape. You want it mostly dry, not watery, or your 2-Ingredient Cottage Cheese Tots will spread out in the oven. Transfer the drained cottage cheese to a mixing bowl.
02 - Now, add your self-rising flour to the drained cottage cheese. This is where the magic happens! Stir it all together until just combined. Then, sprinkle in your garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika (if using), salt, and black pepper. Mix again until everything is evenly distributed. You're looking for a thick, slightly sticky dough-like consistency. Don't overmix, or they might get tough. I usually give it a good stir with a spatula until it all comes together.
03 - Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. This parchment paper is your friend, trust me! Now, using a small cookie scoop or two spoons, form small, tot-shaped mounds of the mixture. I aim for about 1-inch long, oblong shapes. Place them about an inch apart on the prepared baking sheet. Don't overcrowd the pan, or they won't get as crispy!
04 - Pop that baking sheet into your preheated oven. Bake for 12-15 minutes, or until the bottoms are golden brown. Oh, the smell that starts to waft through the kitchen at this point is just heavenly! Carefully flip each tot over with a spatula. This step ensures both sides get that glorious golden crispiness we're aiming for. Sometimes I get a little messy here, but it's worth it.
05 - Return the baking sheet to the oven and continue baking for another 10-12 minutes, or until the 2-Ingredient Cottage Cheese Tots are deeply golden brown and crispy on all sides. Keep an eye on them during this last stretch, as ovens can vary. You want them crunchy, not burnt! I always peek a few times, just to make sure they're getting that perfect color.
06 - Once they're beautifully golden and crisp, remove the baking sheet from the oven. Let the 2-Ingredient Cottage Cheese Tots cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack. This little cooling time helps them firm up and achieve maximum crispiness. Serve them warm with your favorite dipping sauce. Honestly, they're so good, you might just eat them straight off the pan!

# Notes:

01 - Drain your cottage cheese thoroughly; it's the most critical step for crispy tots.
02 - Reheat leftovers in an air fryer or toaster oven for best results, avoid the microwave!
03 - Try adding a tablespoon of grated Parmesan cheese to the mix for an extra savory kick.
04 - Serve these warm with a spicy sriracha mayo or classic ketchup for a comforting snack.

# Equipment Needed:

01 - Fine-mesh sieve or colander
02 - mixing bowl
03 - spatula
04 - baking sheet
05 - parchment paper
06 - small cookie scoop (optional)

# Nutrition (Per Serving):

Calories: 150
Total Fat: 7g
Total Carbohydrate: 12g
Protein: 10g

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