Sweet Potato Tater Tots
This baked sweet potato tater tots recipe makes tots that are crispy on the outside and tender in the middle. Homemade tots are easy to make and fun to enjoy as a healthy side dish.
One summer, I noticed there was a new addition on the Sonic menu, sweet potato tater tots. Holy. Motha.
I never chose anything else while those sweet potato tots were there. Maybe they were always there, and I just missed them. These tots…. they were different. They were softer… and sweeter….
I LOVED THEM, OKAY? We had something really special. And then one day they were gone. That’s why I had to create the recipe to make them at home.
Sweet Potato Tots
Here I am, years later looking at the picture of our baked sweet potato tater tots, and my mouth is watering.
It’s ridiculous and probably weird how much I love vegan tater tots.
So, if you haven’t already guessed, these tots are heavenly. Like, the perfect combination of the regular tots and the sweet potato. And they’re super easy!
Ten ingredients or less. Seriously, the perfect addition to your black bean burgers or vegan sandwiches or crispy fried tofu chicken sandwich.
Go make them, and your lives will be changgggged. This is the part where I disappear into the darkness and you’re all left mesmerized… But luckily you still have the tater tots to look at.
Key Ingredients
You can find the full printable recipe, including ingredient quantities, below. But first, here are some explanations of ingredients and steps to help you make this recipe perfect every time.
- Lemon — We’ll use both the zest and the juice of the lemon.
- Oats — I used rolled oats for this recipe, but you can substitute instant oats.
- Chia — We’ll add some ground chia seeds to create a thicker texture. You can use whole chia seeds; I just prefer ground because it creates a smoother finished texture.
- Syrup — I used maple syrup, but you can substitute agave nectar.
- Milk — We’ll use almond milk for the best overnight oats! Substitute your favorite plant-based milk.
- Yogurt — I love adding some plant-based yogurt (plain, unsweetened) for an even more tangy flavor.
- Protein Powder — I add some vanilla protein powder for increased flavor and nutrients. If your protein powder is not sweetened, you may want to add an extra teaspoon or two of sweetener.
- Cornstarch — We’ll use cornstarch to thicken the lemon curd topping.
- Turmeric — A pinch of turmeric makes that lemon curd sunny yellow.
- Sweet potatoes — You’ll need two regular-sized sweet potatoes.
- Nutritional yeast flakes (“nooch”) — You can find nutritional yeast flakes in most health food stores.
- Ground flaxseed — We’ll use flaxseed and cornstarch as binding agents.
- Almond flour — I’m using almond flour to keep these tots gluten-free, but you can substitute all-purpose flour if gluten is not on your radar.
- Salt — Sweet potatoes are, well, sweet. Adding a bit of salt tones that down some.
- Panko crumbs — This part is optional, but adding breadcrumbs helps create a crispy tater tot crust. You can use regular or gluten-free.
How to Make Sweet Potato Tater Tots
It’s oh so fun to make these baked Sweet Potato Tots! Let’s get started!
- Cook sweet potatoes in the microwave for 2 to 4 minutes (stab them first).
- Allow the sweet potatoes to cool, then chop them into large pieces.
- Add sweet potatoes to a food processor along with the remaining ingredients (except for the panko crumbs).
- Pulse for a few seconds until the ingredients are combined, leaving lots of sweet potato pieces.
- Roll into a tater tot form, roll in the bread crumbs, and place on the prepared baking sheet.
- Optional: Brush tots with olive oil.
- Place the pan in the oven and bake for 20 to 25 minutes, until the outside crust is golden.
Why This Recipe is a Winner
- EASY — Pulse ingredients in a food processor, form into tots and bake, it’s that easy!
- VERSATILE — Add your favorite seasonings, such as smoked paprika or even cinnamon.
- FREEZER-FRIENDLY — Make a double batch and freeze these tots to serve with any meal.
Air Fryer Tater Tots
Want to make these sweet potato air fryer tots? Here’s how:
- Simply heat up your air fryer to 400°F/200°C.
- Spray the air fryer basket with vegetable cooking spray.
- Add breaded tots to the air fryer basket on a single layer at the bottom of the basket. Do not stack tots as they may stick.
- Cook for 5 minutes, then remove the air fryer basket and use tongs to flip the tots.
- Cook for another 10 minutes or so, until crispy and brown.
- Repeat this process with the rest of the uncooked tots.
Storage Tips
Store tots in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days. They can be frozen in freezer-safe containers for up to 2 months.
Sweet Potato Favorites
If you love these sweet potato tater tots, you’ll want to try even more sweet potato recipes. Here are some of our favorites:
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Sweet Potato Tater Tots
Ingredients
- 2 medium sweet potatoes not skinned, washed
- 1 tablespoon nutritional yeast flakes
- 1 tablespoon ground flaxseed
- 1 tablespoon almond flour or flour of your choice
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ cup panko crumbs regular or gluten-free
- 1 tablespoon olive oil (omit for oil-free)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375°F/190°C. Spray a cooking sheet with vegetable spray. See notes for air fryer instructions.
- Stab each sweet potato with a fork several times. Place in a microwave and cook for two minutes. The potatoes should be slightly tender at this point.
- Allow the sweet potatoes to cool, then chop them into large pieces.
- Place in a food processor along with the remaining ingredients except for the panko crumbs. Pulse for a few seconds until the ingredients are combined. We’re going for a rough texture here, with lots of sweet potato pieces.
- Portion the dough in large tablespoons (you can use a cookie dough scoop for this). Roll it into a tater tot form, roll the tot in the bread crumbs, and place on the prepared baking sheet. Repeat until all the mixture is gone.
- Place the pan in the oven and bake for 20 to 25 minutes, until the outside crust is golden. Remove from the oven. Serve warm.
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Notes
The nutrition information shown is an estimate provided by an online nutrition calculator and should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist’s advice.
This post was originally published in 2015 and was updated to include new photos, new text, and an updated recipe in 2022.
I LOVE THAT YOU show the nutritional information. I am diabetic and that really does matter to me. Thanks.
Hi Leah. I’m so glad this information is helpful!
Wow, these homemade tater tots were so easy…and tasty!
I’m so glad you like them Rebecca!
I like my sweets to be on candy. But wow! These tater tots really knocked them out of the park!