- Cuisine American
- Course Side
- Prep 20 min
- Cook 30 min
- Serves 6
Ingredients
- 1 cup organic sweet potatoes, peeled and cubed
- 3 tablespoons avocado oil
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 can (14.5 oz) organic diced tomatoes with green chilis, drained
- 1 can (15 oz) organic black beans, rinsed and drained
- 1 cup organic shredded sharp cheese (e.g., cheddar)
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
- Salt and pepper to taste
Clean swaps
How we upgrade the restaurant version with better ingredients.
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Shop the clean pantry
Reorder the shelf-stable staples for this recipe.
What you'll need
- Half-sheet pan — The workhorse of roasting and baking — get two so one is always clean.
- Cast iron skillet — Sears better than any non-stick; naturally non-stick once seasoned. Compare options →
- Enameled Dutch oven — Even heat for soups, braises, and one-pot mains. Compare options →
- Parchment paper (unbleached) — No non-stick spray needed; compostable.
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 400°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- In a large saucepan, bring water to a boil. Add sweet potatoes and cook until tender. Drain well and transfer to a mixing bowl.
- While the sweet potatoes are cooking, in a separate pan over medium heat, warm avocado oil. Add onion and garlic, sautéing until translucent.
- Stir in diced tomatoes with green chilis and black beans into the onion mixture. Cook for 5 minutes, breaking up any remaining tomato chunks with a spoon or potato masher.
- Mix sweet potatoes into the chili-bean mixture in the bowl. Add honey, cumin, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper. Mix thoroughly.
- Scoop heaping tablespoons of the sweet potato mixture onto prepared baking sheet, spacing evenly apart to prevent them from sticking together.
- Bake for about 25 minutes or until fries are golden brown and crispy on the outside, flipping once halfway through cooking time.
- Sprinkle grated sharp cheese over the tots. Return to oven and bake an additional 5-7 minutes until cheese is melted and slightly bubbly.
FAQ
Is this Sonic-Style Chili Cheese Tots gluten-free?
Yes, as long as the dairy products used are gluten-free, these tots are naturally gluten-free.
Can I make this ahead?
Prepare and bake the sweet potato mixture up to a day in advance. Store them in an air-tight container in the fridge until ready to reheat or serve.
How do I store leftovers?
Cool completely, place in an air-tight container, and refrigerate for up to 5 days or freeze for up to 3 months.
What can I substitute for sweet potatoes?
You could use yuca or taro root as substitutes, but the flavor and texture will be different.
Why is this healthier than the restaurant version?
This version uses whole, minimally processed ingredients like organic sweet potatoes, avocado oil instead of unhealthy trans fats, and honey to reduce refined sugars.
Can I omit the chili peppers for a milder taste?
Certainly! Simply use canned tomatoes without green chilis for a milder flavor.
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