Golden Mini Turtle Bites with Rice, Egg and Zucchini
Soft, golden turtle-inspired bites made with cooked rice, grated zucchini, egg, and cheese. Tender inside and easy to hold, they make mealtime more playful for kids.
Ingredients
- 240 g g cooked white rice (cold or at room temperature)
- 120 g g grated zucchini (lightly escurrido)
- 80 g g shredded mozzarella cheese (or queso suave grated)
- 1 unit egg (beaten)
- 40 g g breadcrumbs (more extra si hace falta)
- 2 g g onion powder
- 1 g g garlic powder
- 15 ml ml olive oil (for brush)
- 2 g g salt
Nutrition facts
per serving
Approximate nutritional information. Estimated from the recipe’s ingredients and amounts, using standard reference nutrition values. It may vary with brands, sizes and cooking method. For guidance only; not a substitute for medical or dietary advice.
Allergens
Instructions
- 1
1. Preheat the oven to 200 °C / 400 °F and line a baking tray with parchment paper. Brush the paper with olive oil to prevent the mini turtles from sticking.
- 2
2. Place the grated zucchini in a clean towel and gently squeeze out some of the excess moisture. This helps the mixture hold its shape better.
- 3
3. In a medium bowl, combine the cooked white rice, grated zucchini, shredded mozzarella cheese, beaten egg, breadcrumbs, onion powder, garlic powder, and salt until you have a moist but shapeable mixture.
- 4
4. If the mixture feels too soft, add a little more breadcrumbs, 1 tablespoon at a time, until you can form compact portions with your hands.
- 5
5. Shape 8 oval patties for the bodies and 8 small balls for the heads. For a playful look, lightly mark the top of each patty with the tip of a spoon to resemble a shell.
- 6
6. Place each small head next to an oval body on the prepared tray, pressing gently to attach them. Brush the tops with the remaining olive oil.
- 7
7. Bake for 18 to 20 minutes at 200 °C / 400 °F, until the mini turtles are golden on the outside and firm to the touch.
- 8
8. Remove from the oven and let them rest for 5 minutes before serving so the cheese can set and the bites hold their shape better.
Chef tips
For a firmer texture, chill the cooked rice before mixing. Serve them plain or with a mild plain yogurt dip if the child already eats dairy.
Substitutions
You can swap the mozzarella for Monterey Jack or another mild melting cheese. Zucchini can be replaced with well-drained grated carrot, though the flavor will be slightly sweeter.
What I used to make it
Generic kitchen tools that work for this recipe. You don’t need to buy anything to make it.
Illustrative imageNinja Professional BL610 Blender
Smoothies, sauces and soups
- Smoothies, sauces and soups
- Easy-to-wash jar
- Check the power and jar size
Illustrative imageCosori Pro LE 5 Qt Air Fryer
Browning and baking with little oil
- Browns food with very little oil
- Handy for vegetables, chicken and reheating
- Check the basket capacity
Illustrative imageT-fal Ultimate Hard Anodized 12" Non-Stick Pan
Eggs, omelets and stir-fries
- Eggs and omelets that don’t stick
- Comfortable, sturdy handle
- Use wooden or silicone utensils
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