Baked Zucchini Tater Tots [Oil Free]

Baked zucchini tater tots are crispy on the outside, with soft and fluffy middles. This healthier twist on taters is baked (not fried) and sneakily adds some zucchini to the mix. Perfect for kids and adults alike.

This recipe was originally published in August 2019. It has been updated for content and photos.

With just FIVE ingredients you can whip up this yummy appetizer or side dish in no time. They’re perfect for a healthier Superbowl snack, too.

Serve these zucchini tater tots with ketchup, BBQ sauce, sriracha mayo, buffalo sauce, or honey mustard.

Jump to:

• Why you’ll love these
• Ingredients
• Instructions
• What to serve these with
• Variations
• Storage
• Expert Tips
• More healthy kid-friendly recipes
• 📖 Recipe

Why you’ll love these

• Healthy: Compared to traditional deep-fried tater tots, this version is baked with no oil, for a low-fat option. Plus, it’s hiding some nutrient-dense zucchini into the mix.
• Delicious: They’ve got great texture with a crispy exterior, and they’re so incredibly delish!
• Kid friendly: Anything you can dip into ketchup is a-okay with most kids. So this is an easy way to get picky eaters to try new flavours.
• Allergen friendly: Not only are these taters healthier than most, but they’re vegan and vegetarian friendly, egg free, gluten-free, nut free and soy free. Perfect for all sorts of eaters.

Ingredients

All you need is five ingredients for these delicious zucchini tater tots.

• Zucchini: Choose a medium zucchini that is firm, with a rich and dark green colour that is free from blemishes.
• Potatoes: I’ve tried these zucchini tater tots using both yellow potatoes and russet potatoes and found minimal difference in the end result, so use whatever variety you prefer or have on hand.
• Seasoning: Keep it simple with garlic powder, smoked paprika, and salt. Or try one of our variations below OR create your own seasoning blend.

Instructions

(This is a summary with step by step photos, full recipe measurements and instructions are in the recipe card below.)

Cook your potatoes in boiling water until a fork can pierce the edges, but do not overcook! Overcooked potatoes will be too soft and difficult to grate.

Drain and rinse the potatoes immediately and then pat them dry.

NOTES: Keep these vegan zucchini tots small for a crispier texture. Since there is no oil in this recipe, use care when flipping. If the taters feel a little stuck or hard to flip, bake them a few extra minutes to make them firmer and try again.

Once baked, serve your zucchini tater tots with a dip of your choice and enjoy.

What to serve these with

Try them as an appetizer with your favourite dip.

Or serve them alongside burgers, sandwiches, or wraps. Here’s some of my favourites:

• Black Bean Pumpkin Burgers
• Chickpea Salad Wrap
• Cucumber Sandwiches with Dill
• Sweet Potato Burgers
• Chickpea Salad Sandwich
• Vegan Chicken Burgers
• Asian Slaw Wraps with Cauliflower Rice

Variations

I’ve kept the seasoning simple for these ones to satisfy picky eaters. But feel free to change up the flavour profile with one of these spice blends.

• Italian: 1 teaspoon each of garlic powder and dried parsley, plus ½ teaspoon each of dried oregano and salt.
• Cajun: 1 teaspoon of paprika, ½ teaspoon of salt, and ¼ teaspoon each of black pepper, white pepper, onion powder, dried oregano, and cayenne.
• Ranch: 1 teaspoon each of dried parsley and dried dill weed, plus ½ teaspoon each of salt, onion powder, and garlic powder.
• Spicy BBQ: 1 teaspoon of paprika, and ½ teaspoon each of cayenne, garlic powder and salt.

Storage

These zucchini tater tots taste best when freshly made, but leftovers will keep refrigerated for 3-4 days.

They will get softer as they cool, but you may reheat them in the oven, toaster oven, or air fryer to return some of their crispy texture.

Expert Tips

• Do not overcook the potatoes or they will be too soft and difficult to shred.
• Squeeze as much liquid as you can from the shredded zucchini before mixing it with the potatoes. You don’t want too much excess moisture.
• Keep the tater tots small for a crispier texture.
• Since there is no oil in this recipe, use care when flipping. If the taters feel a little stuck or hard to flip, bake them a few extra minutes to make them firmer and try again.

More healthy kid-friendly recipes

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Buon appetito,
Rosa

📖 Recipe