If you love sweet potato fries, you will LOVE these easy baked sweet potato tater tots. Or as I like to call them, Sweet Potater Tots. (Insert: laughing crying emoticons.) Plus, 7 ingredients – huzzah!
Origins of Tater Tots
Tater tots were invented in the 1950s as a way to use up leftover potato scraps from making french fries. The invention came from brothers Nephi and Golden Grigg who owned a potato processing plant in Oregon near the Idaho border. Gotta love their resourcefulness!
The following is inspired by the bite-sized, crispy tots, but with the swap of sweet potatoes.
Sweet Potato Tater Tots
So I’ve tried to make sweet potato tater tots before and it didn’t work out. They either weren’t flavorful enough or the texture was off. And I wasn’t about to fry them, so back to the drawing board I went. This time, success!
The secret here is the panko bread crumbs, which I seasoned namely with salt, sugar and cinnamon. It gives the tots a crispy outer crust with tons of flavor.
The next essential step is baking them until they’re golden brown and slightly crisp. The longer you bake, the crispier they’ll get. It’s magic.
The result is kind of perfect. These tots are:
Crispy on the outside
Tender on the inside
Perfectly sweet
Subtly cinnamon-y
Like sweet potato fries crammed into a tot
& Kind of perfect
You could make these to serve alongside sandwiches or veggie burgers, breakfasty things, brunch, or on their own with other snacky appetizers like these vegan jalapeno poppers or cotija corn dip!
They’re perfectly poppable and sweet and I kind love them. Hope you will, too. Cheers!
Easy Baked Sweet Potato Tater Tots
Ingredients
FOR THE TOTS
- 2 large sweet potatoes (scrubbed + washed // organic if possible)
- 1/4 tsp ground cinnamon
- 2 Tbsp sugar (I used organic cane sugar)
FOR THE COATING
- 1 cup panko bread crumbs* (gluten-free for GF eaters)
- 1 Tbsp vegan butter or coconut oil (melted)
- 2 Tbsp sugar
- 1/4 tsp sea salt
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- 2 tsp cornstarch
Instructions
- Poke holes in the sweet potatoes with a fork and bake in a 400-degree F (204 C) oven for 45 minutes – 1 hour until softened, OR in the microwave for about 5-6 minutes. Let cool to touch.
- While sweet potatoes are cooking, prepare coating. Add all ingredients EXCEPT butter to a food processor and blend until incorporated. While mixing, stream in butter. Dip your finger in to give it a taste. If you prefer it more savory, add more salt. If you prefer it sweeter, add more sugar or cinnamon.
- Peel sweet potatoes and add to a mixing bowl. Add cinnamon and mash – you’re not looking for a puree, but rather a rough mash. If your sweet potatoes are already pretty sweet on their own, omit the sugar. Otherwise, add it in and mix.
- Set in fridge to chill and preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 C).
- Spray a baking sheet with nonstick spray. Scoop out scant 1 Tbsp amounts of sweet potato puree and form them into a “tot” shape – an oblong circle.
- Transfer to coating and use a spoon to gently toss to coat. Transfer to baking sheet and spritz the top with olive or canola oil to help them crisp up (optional).
- Bake for 20 minutes, then gently flip. Bake for 20 minutes more then serve immediately. If you want them firmer, just bake them an additional 10-15 minutes. The longer you cook them the crispier they’ll get!
- To freeze and bake later, form into tots, roll in coating, then transfer to baking sheet and freeze. Once thoroughly frozen, add to freezer-safe bag or container to store for later. When ready to bake, place on an oiled baking sheet and bake for 30 minutes, flip, then bake for 25-30 minutes more or until they reach the desired doneness.
- You really don’t need dip for these, but if you want, ketchup or a spicy aioli of some kind would be lovely.
Notes
*If you wanted to get a savory/sweet flavor combo going, consider adding a pinch of cayenne or chili powder to the sweet potatoes and/or the coating.
*Recipe makes ~30 tots.
*Nutrition information is a rough estimate calculated with vegan butter.
Diana says
I’ve been a huge fan of this website for years now so I know almost all of the time that your recipes are delicious and easy – but this one turned out SO MUCH BETTER than I thought it would. I’m usually skeptical about anything baked that would normally be fried (I absolutely hate frying, too!) and this totally blew me away. The tots are super crunchy and super delicious. Both my kids ate them and they NEVER eat the same thing (one is super picky and the other will eat pretty much anything!) This will definitely be on repeat in the house! (I already stashed another batch in the freezer!)
Whoop! We’re so glad everyone enjoyed them! xo
Annette says
I make a lot of recipes from here and this was my boyfriend’s favorite! I made it for Super Bowl Sunday to go with chili burgers. Super easy to make. I cooked them longer so they were pretty crispy which wa awesome. Definitely having this again soon.
Dave says
You lost me at “And I wasn’t about to fry them”
I’m all for eating healthy but some things are just plain better fried and if you use a healthier cooking oil like coconut oil, it is fine to do occasionally. Only thing I’m concerned about with frying is there is nothing binding it or holding it together.
Thanks for the idea though! :)
Thanks for sharing, Dave :D
Jon says
Then after you’re done breading, freeze them, then toss them in the fryer when frozen. Also I appreciate tasty non fried recipes. Not necessarily for health reasons, as it’s been proven that when cooked properly, fried foods hardly soak up any oil. But frying is smelly, messy, and a lot of work and showering and cleaning your face and washing all your clothes because your whole life now smells like oil.
Lori says
Will a nut butter work in place of the coconut oil?
I’m not sure as we haven’t tried it, but if you experiment with the recipe, report back on how it goes. Good luck!
Anna Nicholls says
I’m interested in trying your recipe BUT… I prefer eating my sweet potatoes savory NOT sweet. I have some ideas on what I can do savory-wise, but wanted to get your take as well. Thanks?
flo says
Can you offer a savory tater tot option? I love your recipes!!!
LaVal says
Hi my oven is broken. Do you think these will hold up in the deep fryer or pan fried?
Hi LaVal! We haven’t tried it so we can’t say for sure, if you do let us know how it turns out!
Liz says
I know you mentioned freezing these BEFORE baking but can you also freeze these after baking and then reheating it in the oven? Just wondering because my baby is just starting solids and would only eat 2 or 3 at a time. :)
Hi! I have not tried freezing them after baking but if you do, let me know how it goes! The only thing I see that might change, is that they won’t be as crispy when frozen than defrosted. Good luck!
Becca says
Would these work with regular potatoes too?
I think so, yes! Just don’t add the sweetener and make them more savory.
YogiTwins says
These were great for my kids after school snack (and mine:-)). They don’t typically like sweet potatoes but these were a hit! We dipped the tots into maple syrup instead of ketchup and it was a perfect pairing! Next time I’ll add a little more butter to the batter just to give the outside a crispier crust. Other than that – they are de-lish as is!
Becky says
Fantastic sweet potato tater tots!!! Just made them and my family LOVED them!!! So crispy!! Thanks for a great recipe!!
Mel says
Yum. I need to work on my tot shapes, but our sweet potato balls were scrumptious! They were toddler approved too – which never happens the first time he’s offered something. Can’t wait to make them again.
Karla Tytus says
I’m looking forward to try this but I’m gluten free. Is there a substitute for panko and cornmeal ( I can eat corn, I just prefer to not buy it since I never use it)? Thanks!
Jon says
I’d try using a gluten free cereal like Chex or Vans Cinnamon Heaven. Grind it up to a consistency that mimics bread crumbs…
Yolanda B. says
These are amazing! I just made them and they are so delicious. My son loved them too. Thanks for sharing this!
Erin Fergus says
I just made these tonight and coated them with almonds ground in a food processor based on your suggestion of using almond meal as a substitution. They taste like a divine finger food version of sweet potato casserole! Looking forward to trying with Panko to taste the difference :)
Kim says
I have never been one to enjoy a sweet potato with other sweet ingredients so I was apprehensive about adding cinnamon and sugar but I followed the recipe as its written and must admit that the combo of sweet (sugar and cinnamon) and savoury (salt and chili powder) was divine! Thank you, this recipe is as my daughter says a “make again”
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Kourtney says
OMG! These were sooo delicious and went perfectly with my baked broccoli burger :)
Any suggestions when it comes to sweet potato fries? Mine always end up mushy :/
Mary Beth Capps says
I don’t have vegan butter or coconut oil, can I use traditional butter?
Avra-Sha Faohla says
Simple and delicious! I didn’t have bread crumbs so I crumbled up some bread and put it in the oven at 300 F for six minutes. It worked great! Thanks for the recipe!
Lovely! Glad you enjoyed them!!
Billy says
Um, I seriously want all of these and I don’t really even like sweet potatoes.
come ova and I make dem for you.
kathryn says
made these for dinner tonight and they could not have been easier or more delicious. and my bf was super impressed i made them totally from scratch. thanks for the great recipe!
yay! Glad you both enjoyed them – officially boyfriend approved!!
Katie @ Produce on Parade says
These are adorable! What a great idea! You’re so stinkin’ creative :)
thanks Katie!! xo
nourished roots says
These look so tasty. I am pinning for later. I can’t wait to try them.
Ali | Gimme Some Oven says
Oooh, fun fun fun. Love that you added cinnamon in there!
You gotta ;D
Emily says
mm, these are so tasty.
Love the look of your blog!
Debra @ Worth Cooking says
Love this idea! I am always on the look out for new ways to serve sweet potatoes as they are a family favorite. This is the first time I have seen this.
Rebecca says
It looks so yummie, I pinned it and will make it :D
thanks, rebecca
Calliope says
Dammit! I already started making cauliflower tots for dinner. Guess these will have to wait, for now. They look amazing!
Liz says
I just decided sweet potato was my new favorite thing to eat! It’s so yummy and wonderful and I’m so excited at the timing of this post! Thank you for your incredible work on this blog. I check it daily and am always looking for new recipes to try out.
Millie l Add A Little says
Yum!! I love sweet potatoes (kind of obsessed…) and these look so good for a snack, although I would probably en up eating them all haha!
CakePants says
Yum!! I love sweet potato fries (and basically anything coated with panko bread crumbs), so I’m sure this will be a new favorite of mine. Thanks for sharing the recipe!
Leah says
These look delicious! I love sweet potatoes – so I will have to give these a try. Tater tots were a staple in my house growing up but they were definitely not homemade. ;)
Mine too! Tater tots in general – especially from Sonic. Ha! Glad I have a homemade version in my arsenal now :D
Emily @ Life on Food says
These look fantastic. Sweet potato fries is one of my most favorite things. I love that you sneaked in a little sugar and cinnamon.
Yes! It really enhances the goodness that sweet potatoes already have going on. Hope you enjoy these, Emily!
Leigha @ The Yooper Girl says
Ooooh, YUM! I’ve never been a fan of real tater tots, but sweet potater tots? YES. They almost look like mini doughnut holes :)
haha, yes!!
Ella says
yes PLEASE! Sweet taters are my favorite things, always. And I haven’t had a tater tot in years! Thanks for sharing :)
years? too long! :D
Audrey says
OMG I almost died when I saw this post. These look so epic. ;)
P.S: I was wondering if you have a certain brand of panko you like to use? Thanks.
Not sure what the brand is, sorry! I used them all up!
jesse says
These look stunning! I wibder if they would freeze well? That way I could have a healthier tot for my girls! Thank you!
I believe I added freezing instructions in the recipe box :D
Candace @ The Wheatless Kitchen says
These look INSANE! I can’t wait to make them! So many of my favorite things all at once :)
Meredith @ Unexpectedly Magnificent says
I just used sweet potato tater tots last night! I once tried to make them myself and they were too mushy. I love the idea of using panko to crisp them up! :)
Connie says
Great recipe! Definitely going to give this a try.
Connie
Medha @ Whisk & Shout says
OMG. I read cinnamon + panko and I was SOLD! Delicious and gorgeous pictures too :)
Maryea {happy healthy mama} says
Who doesn’t love a tater tot?! Haven’t had one in years, but this post is bringing me back! I love that you used sweet potatoes.
Ala says
“It’s magic!” Please tell this magic to appear straight on my dinner plate! I love easy bake versions of almost any food, but I tasted tater tots for the first time in years recently and have been craving them ever since–though sweet potatoes are such a brilliant idea. I love it, Dana!
Librarian Lavender says
This looks so, so good! I’m definitely going to try the recipe! It will be something entirely new for me and I can’t wait to find out how it tastes.
Averie @ Averie Cooks says
Coconut oil, cinnamon, and sweet potatoes are dreamy! And I love the Panko action! My Monday recipe is a Panko recipe and I want to make your tots next – I still have tons of Panko on hand! They look incredible! Pinned :)