Oven-Baked Cheesy Vegetable Nuggets
Golden baked vegetable nuggets packed with cheese and finely chopped veggies, perfect for little hands and a healthy snack option. This american-inspired kid friendly (vegetarian) ready in about 35 minutes pairs medium, finely grated Carrot, medium, finely grated Zucchini, Grated cheddar cheese for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 150 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 1 medium, finely grated Carrot
- 1 medium, finely grated Zucchini
- 1 cup Grated cheddar cheese
- 1 cup Breadcrumbs
- 1 large Egg
- 1/4 cup All-purpose flour
- 1/4 tsp Salt
- 1/8 tsp Black pepper
- as needed Olive oil spray
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat oven to 375°F. Place 1 medium grated carrot and 1 medium grated zucchini in a clean kitchen towel and squeeze out excess moisture.
- Step 2: In a large bowl, combine the drained grated vegetables with 1 cup grated cheddar cheese, 1 cup breadcrumbs, 1 large beaten egg, 1/4 cup all-purpose flour, 1/4 tsp salt, and 1/8 tsp black pepper; mix until evenly incorporated.
- Step 3: Shape the mixture into 12 small nugget-sized patties using your hands.
- Step 4: Arrange the nuggets on a parchment-lined baking sheet and lightly spray each with olive oil spray.
- Step 5: Bake for 18-20 minutes, flipping halfway through, until the nuggets are golden brown and firm to the touch.
- Step 6: Remove from oven and let cool 5 minutes before serving with ketchup or yogurt dip.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Oven-Baked Cheesy Vegetable Nuggets take to make?
Total time is about 35 minutes (15 min prep + 20 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.
How do I store leftover Oven-Baked Cheesy Vegetable Nuggets?
Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep medium, finely grated carrot from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Oven-Baked Cheesy Vegetable Nuggets?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Oven-Baked Cheesy Vegetable Nuggets for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
Is Oven-Baked Cheesy Vegetable Nuggets vegetarian?
Yes — this recipe is tagged vegetarian based on its ingredient list. Always cross-check labels for packaged ingredients (sauces, broths, condiments) since formulations vary by brand.
