Tater tots are always a fun snack or side, but I think sweet potato tots are even better because they deliver all that crispy-crunchy-snacky goodness. While it takes a little bit more work to make sweet potato tater tots from scratch as opposed to buying them frozen, it’s definitely worth the effort. This recipe is a lot more flavorful than store-bought, especially with the addition of smoked paprika; you can also control the oil and salt content when you’re DIYing it. I love serving these tots as a side for a veggie burger, or you can place them on a sheet pan and top them with vegan queso, bacon, and other toppings to make the most epic totchos you’ve ever tasted. WATCH THE VIDEO TO SEE HOW IT’S MADE:
Notes on Ingredients
Please note that this is important information on the ingredients and instructions and the FULL recipe with amounts and details can be found DOWN BELOW (scroll to it) in the recipe card.
Sweet potatoes – Any variety will work in this recipe. Smoked paprika – Smoked paprika isn’t the same as standard paprika; if you don’t have smoked paprika on hand, I definitely recommend picking it up! Garlic powder Onion powder Sea salt Coconut oil – I love the way coconut oil compliments the flavor of sweet potatoes, but you can use another cooking oil if you prefer. Cornstarch – The secret to a crispy, crunchy exterior!
How to Make Sweet Potato Tater Tots
While these require more work than frozen tater tots, they’re still quite easy to make! Here’s what you’ll need to do. Prepare. Preheat your oven to 425°F/220°C and line two baking sheets with either silicone baking mats or well-greased parchment paper. Parboil the sweet potatoes. Bring a large pot of water to a boil, then carefully place the sweet potatoes into the water and parboil them for 18 to 20 minutes, or until they’re still firm, but they can be easily pierced with a fork. Drain and rinse with cold water. Prep the sweet potatoes. Once the sweet potatoes have cooled, peel off the skins using your fingers or a spoon. Grate the sweet potatoes into a large bowl. Combine the tot ingredients. Add the paprika, garlic and onion powders, cornstarch, salt, and a tablespoon of coconut oil to the bowl with the shredded sweet potatoes. Stir to combine. Form your tots. Use a tablespoon to scoop out the tater tot mixture, then form it into a tot shape with your hands. Transfer to the prepared baking sheet, then repeat until all of the sweet potato mixture is used. Brush the finished tots with oil. Bake. Place the baking sheet in the oven and bake the tater tots for 20 minutes; flip them over, then bake for another 20 minutes, or until they’re crispy and golden brown. Cool slightly, then serve.
Tips for Success
Here are some tips to make sure your sweet potato tots turn out perfect every time!
Keep an eye on the potatoes. Sweet potatoes come in so many shapes and sizes, which means cooking times can vary! I recommend buying two potatoes that are similar in size and shape; if you use smaller potatoes, check for doneness after about 15 minutes. Cornstarch substitutes. If you can’t use cornstarch, don’t just omit it—it helps hold the tots together and gives them that signature crunchy exterior. You can substitute all-purpose flour, tapioca starch, or arrowroot powder. Adding salt. If you want to season these with additional salt, I recommend doing so right when you take them out of the oven. The salt will stick better when the tots are piping hot!
How to Store and Reheat Homemade Tater Tots
If you have leftover sweet potato tots, they can go in an airtight storage container and be refrigerated for up to 3 days. To keep that exterior nice and crispy, reheat them in an oven set to 350ºF for about 15 minutes, or until warmed through.
Can I Freeze This Recipe?
Yes, you can freeze these! To keep them from sticking together, freeze them on a parchment-lined baking sheet, then when they’re frozen through, you can transfer them to a freezer bag. Bake them in the oven at 350ºF until they’re warmed through or thaw them in the fridge overnight, then reheat in your oven or toaster oven. Enjoy friends! If you make this sweet potato tater tots recipe, please snap a photo and tag #jessicainthekitchen on Instagram! We’d also love it if you would leave a comment below, and give the recipe a rating! Thanks so much!
