Tater tots aren’t just for kids anymore! So make nachos with chips instead Tater-tot nachos! And with the Superbowl right around the corner, plan fun meals early. This tater tot nachos recipe is easy to make and delicious.
Although I love nachos, recently, I discovered tater tot nachos, also known as totos. In Scottsdale, there’s a little Mexican joint near our house called Della Libre. Not only do they have a vegetarian menu, but they also have vegetarian tater-tot nachos. So, I made a homemade tater tot nachos recipe for the big game!
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What are Tater Tot Nachos?
When I was growing up, Ore Ida Tater Tots were a part of our childhood. I haven’t eaten frozen tater tots in years, but I love crispy potato balls.
Last year though, I made healthy baked tater tots out of sweet potatoes and zucchini. We eat them often since I make them ahead of time and freeze them to use at my convenience.
Homemade Tater Tots
Out of curiosity, I picked up a bag of Ore Ida Tater Tots to remind me why I made homemade baked tater tots in the first place. After reading the label and returning it to the freezer section, I know why. At 8 grams of fat and 130 calories for 7 tater tots, I laughed at the thought of only eating 7. I mean, who only eats 7 tater tots?
By contrast, my tater tots have the same amount of just 30 calories and 2 grams of fat.
Another option for healthy tater tots is Alexia Brand Tater Tots, located in the healthy freezer section of the grocery store. For example, Alexia Yukon Select Puffs have 100 calories and 4 grams of fat for 14 pieces. Despite having little oil, these are the best healthy store-bought options.
So, healthy options exist at your local grocery store if tater tots aren’t appealing to you. Making homemade tater tots at home is relatively easy and a great activity to help kids cook.
Baking or air-frying tater tots also gives you a healthier option than frying them in oil. So, skip oil and opt for baking instead.
Tater Tot Nacho Ingredients
The first time we had tater tot nachos, the toppings included Beyond Meat Crumbles, vegan shredded cheese, and a variety of veggies like tomatoes, green onions, and jalapeños.
Considering different options for making tater tot nachos healthier, I used my vegan nacho “cheese” sauce and my vegan corny chili sauce. Then, of course, add onions, tomatoes, jalapeños and other vegetables to my refrigerator that speak to me.
But there are other options, like vegan lentil taco meat. Another idea is jackfruit mixed with taco seasoning. Or, skip the meat substitutes, jackfruit and lentils and make them vegan cheesy, and delicious.
Regardless of your choice of toppings, tater tot nachos are a great football snack, movie night at home treat, or a meal depending on the toppings. There isn’t a kid in the world who doesn’t love tater tots, or adults, for that matter.
Lentil taco meat and vegan corn sauce
When I first became vegan, I started ‘veganizing’ meals to get everyone in my family on board. Since then, of course, my kids have grown to appreciate vegetables alongside their childhood favorites.
My kids are now vegetarian adults who not only live on their own, they continue to cook and eat vegetarian. And, yes, from time to time, they love vegan junk food like the rest of us.
For example, my vegan corny chili sauce was one of those dishes we missed when we first became vegan. After much trial and error, I developed a sauce that I can make ahead and freeze that can be stuffed into vegan hot dogs, air-fried steak fries, or baked potatoes.
Comfort food, although sometimes not healthy, can be made healthier.
For example, vegan lentil taco meat uses lentils instead of a meat substitute and makes great taco meat. Not only is it oil-free, but it’s perfect for chips, taco shells, and tater tot nachos. Because the lentil flesh is not overly moist, it does not get soggy. Of course, this healthy option is an option to layer in tater tots nachos recipe.
While the possibilities are endless, other ideas include adding my mushroom “chorizo” taco meat, roasted cauliflower tacos with avocado-cilantro cream, or roasted broccolini and sweet potato tostadas. For example, if you think about it, anything you put on tacos or nachos can be a topping for tater tot nachos.
Without a doubt, meat alternatives like Beyond Meat Crumbles and Bocca Original Crumbles are easy. I prefer Boca Original Crumble to Beyond Meat. Boca Crumbles, however, are soy-based but fat-free. But, you choose what works best for your diet and plant-based journey.
If I can create a healthy way to eat delicious food, every time, it keeps me from going astray all the time. Some people, for example, call it a ‘cheat meal’ or ‘cheat day’. It’s not cheating if you keep it healthy and don’t go rogue. In my family it’s called a healthy balance.
Vegan Nachos Cheese Sauce
Again, this is all about personal taste. Of course, when I think of nachos, I think of vegan nacho cheese sauce, tomatoes, green onions, and jalapeños. But consider going crazy with lettuce, guacamole, cilantro, lime, or any other nacho toppings you enjoy.
My nacho cheese sauce makes a lot, so even though I’ve made whole batches for other recipes during the week, the recipe calls for ¼ of the linked recipe. Once made, the nacho cheese sauce will last 7 days in the refrigerator. And, yes, it can also be frozen in small batches if you prefer.
material layer
First, cook your tater tots according to the link or package instructions. Then, while the tater tots are baking, make a “meat topping” of your choice. I used my Vegan Coney Chili Sauce.
While your meat is cooking and absorbing the last bit of moisture, prepare your veggie toppings. Then, place your cooked tater tots in a large shallow bowl or on a plate and drizzle with the cheese sauce.
Next, add a vegan lentil layer, vegetables and more grated cheese sauce.
Then, sprinkle on the veggies and a little more, and you’re in business.
And, if tater tots aren’t your thing and you prefer a plain nacho or Greek nacho!
Recipe FAQs
Cook tater tots at 400 degrees for 15-20 minutes.
They’re versatile, as you can pair them with almost anything, and they’re good as a snack on their own. Tater Tots vs Potato Croquettes: Both dishes are made from mashed potatoes. But traditional croquettes contain cheese and are breaded with flour and eggs before being deep fried.
Yes, homemade tater tots are oil-free and made from potatoes and zucchini.
advice
- If making homemade tater tots, make the tots in advance to reduce prep time.
- Pick red bell peppers, tomatoes, green onions and any other veggies you like!
- Serve with salsa, guacamole and vegan sour cream for added toppings.
- Try making a tater tot nacho bar by serving tater tots with all the toppings on the side.
With the Super Bowl right around the corner, start planning by making this tater tot nachos recipe!
Other Great Vegan Game Day Appetizers
If you like these tater tot nachos, give us a 5-star review and comment below. We want to hear from you!
📖 Recipe
Tater Tot Nachos
Indulge in healthy tater tot nachos. Tater tots aren’t just for kids anymore! And with the Superbowl right around the corner, plan fun meals early.
material
Taco Meat Toppings (Choose 1)
instructions
Preheat oven to 425 degrees.
Cook tater tots according to recipe/bag instructions.
While the tater tots are cooking, make the coney sauce and chop the vegetables.
Make vegan nacho cheese sauce.
Remove the tater tots from the oven and place in a large shallow bowl or on a plate.
Drizzle with vegan nacho cheese sauce.
Add taco meat recipe of choice.
Sprinkle the vegetables.
Top with cilantro and other garnishes and toppings you enjoy.
Share your tater tot nachos and enjoy!
Comment
- If making homemade tater tots, make the tots in advance to reduce prep time.
- Pick red bell peppers, tomatoes, green onions and any other veggies you like!
- Serve with salsa, guacamole and vegan sour cream for added toppings.
- Try making a tater tot nacho bar by serving tater tots with all the toppings on the side.
nutrition
Calories: 227kcalSugars: 31gProtein: 4gFat: 1gPolyunsaturated Fats: 1gCholesterol: 1mgSodium: 509mgPotassium: 378mgFiber: 4gSugar: 2gVitamin A: 361IUVitamin C: 17mgCalcium: 33mgIron: 1mg
Oh! My name is Kathy, I am a retired high school English teacher and vegan enthusiast and blogger. My entire blog is completely plant-based vegan. I truly believe that what we eat and how we live determines our health and the preservation of our planet! 🙂
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