Are Tater Totts Vegan?

When it comes to the search for vegan recipes, those in which the potato serves as the primary component are typically considered to be risk-free. When it comes to dishes where the primary component is shaped into an odd shape, such as tater tots, the waters around the consumption of energy food that does not include animal products can get murky. Therefore, can vegans eat tater tots?

Although tater tots are typically believed to be vegan, there are a few things you should take into consideration before diving in headfirst.

What are tater tots?

The potatoes that go into the making of tater tots are first chopped or shredded, then seasoned, molded into nugget forms, and then fried at a high temperature. Can vegans eat them?

Find out what oils are used for cooking the tater tots. This is the first question that can be answered by anyone who is making crispy tater tots. It is straightforward to determine if the method of frying (or baking) employs fat from vegetables or animals; hence, it is not difficult to steer clear of the issue of consuming such kinds of items.

To ensure that the potatoes stick together when making mashed potatoes, it is important to know which ingredients were used to mix them and what flavors were added to the specific batch.

Ingredients used in tater tots

It is often not difficult to determine the components that went into preparing tater tots purchased pre-made or frozen. On the package of the most popular brand of frozen onion tater tots, Ore Ida, there is a list of eight different ingredients:

• Oil derived from a vegetable source 
• Salt
• Dextrose
• Yellow corn flour
• Potatoes
• Natural flavoring
• Onions
• Disodium dihydrogen pyrophosphate

There is no way to tell if the natural flavoring originates from plants or animals, but all of these ingredients are considered vegan. If you explore the internet for recipes for homemade delicious tater tots, you’ll discover that the vast majority of them conform to the following essential ingredient list:

• Russet potatoes
• Oil
• Flour
• Seasonings for the palate

The homemade recipe asks for a substantially lower number of components than the store-bought version since there is no need to include any preservatives to make the tater tots endure. When you create tater tots at home, you have full control over the ingredients that go into them, which means you can make them as fascinating and flavorful as you see fit per your preferences. Cooking your favorite tater tot crust at home has several benefits, and this is one of them.

How to make vegan homemade tater tots?

Ingredients required:

• Potatoes: You may use any crispy potato treats you choose for this dish, but I went with one with a waxy red peel.
• Onion: Use red or yellow onions, whichever is more readily available.
• Yeast Flakes Containing Nutritional Yeast: Flakes of nutritional yeast for a cheesy taste and an additional source of vitamin B12.
• Cayenne Pepper: This spice produces a “peppery” taste that is more subtle.
• Salt: Salt is what ties all of the tastes together and ensures that the dish is successful.
• Olive Oil: I prepared the recipe using olive oil. Why? Because it is good for your health. You are free to use either your preferred or the one that is a readily accessible healthy diet option.

Step #1

Scrub the potatoes, then cook them in a boiling pot of water for about twenty minutes or until they are cooked. While it is still warm, remove the peel and throw it away. Then, allow it to cool just enough so that you can handle it.

Step #2

Put the grated potatoes in a large bowl. Finely shred the high-quality potatoes using a box grater. Combining the chopped onion, yeast flakes, salt, and cayenne pepper requires careful folding.

Step #3

Turn the oven up to 425 degrees Fahrenheit. Take a tiny bit, approximately a teaspoon’s worth, and roll it into a ball or roll it into a cylinder before placing it on the baking sheet that has been prepared.

Step #4

Coconut or olive oil should be brushed on or sprayed on. Bake for thirty minutes, rotating the pan halfway through. Delicious when accompanied by ketchup!

You can also customizations the recipe according to your preferred tastes. For example;

• The flavor of your tots will come from the combination of the potato pieces you use and the seasonings and other things you add.
• Add adobo chili sauce, Sriracha, or red pepper flakes if you like your tots on the fiery side, for instance.
• Try seasoning it with some fresh dill, lemon zest, rosemary, or garlic to give it a new twist.
• The tater tots will take on the taste of anything you bake them with.

Find out whether Paul Rudd is vegan or not!

How to serve your deliciously cooked vegan tater tots?

These amazing tots are delicious, but you could also turn this hot dish into a hearty meal by adding some protein and vegetables. It’s best to maintain equilibrium with some healthy plant-based meals, as eating too much of a good thing may often cause stomach trouble.

Make Wraps: Use your crispy tots as a filling in butter lettuce leaves to make a vegan cheeseburger. Cover the middle with tater tots and your sauce of choice. Yummy!

Veggies toppings: Vegetables should be included in every meal, but they are especially important for those who are dieting or just attempting to keep their weight in check.

Serve with Soup: These shredded potato puffs would go great with a bowl of lentil and vegetable soup if you’re looking to boost your fiber intake and feel filled for longer. Our Instant Pot soup will leave you feeling full and content.

Frequently asked questions – FAQs

Is it good to freeze tater tots?

Yes, of course, you can do that! Tater Tots, after formed, should be set on a baking pan lined with parchment paper. To store for later use, chill or freeze.

After frozen, please put them in a container, such as a freezer bag. It is possible to store tater tots in the freezer for up to six months, but the tastes begin to fade after a few months.

Are tater tots healthy?

Eating healthily while enjoying the crunchiness and salinity that make tater tots so popular in cafeterias is possible. If instead of being fried in oil, they are baked in the oven. Throughout the preparation process, we made sure to use only healthy components.

Are tater tots gluten-free?

Because potatoes, oil, and spices make up the bulk of a bag of Tater Tots, many people mistakenly believe they are gluten-free. But some manufacturers add flour to the mix to make the tots even crispier. Always double-check the label to ensure that the product is indeed gluten-free, and if in doubt, stick to gluten-free items that are specifically labeled as such.

What brand of tater tots are vegan?

Tater tots were developed to reduce wasted food by utilizing the shavings left over from the firm’s manufacturing of frozen French fries. Since it was first published in 1953, Ore-original Ida’s tater tot recipe has always been suitable for vegans and has never contained eggs.

Moreover, you should also read our article about the best vegan energy drinks in 2022.