Healthy Tater Tots

This recipe will bring you right back to childhood – shredded potatoes, shaped into logs and baked (not fried) until golden and crispy on the outside and perfectly tender on the inside. But these tots are WAY better than their frozen brethren because they’re kicked up with parmesan cheese, paprika and a secret ingredient...

You’ll never buy frozen again - and you’ll never look back! 

So what's the secret ingredient? Saltines! Crushed saltine crackers add the perfect amount of toasty-ness to these tots, something you simply can’t get with regular bread crumbs.

Ketchup on the side? Serve these tater tots with the classic condiment – ketchup. Or, for something truly spectacular, serve them with warm marinara sauce; it partners perfectly with the parmesan cheese.

Healthy Tater Tots

Cooking spray
2 cups packed, peeled and shredded potatoes (any variety, including frozen)
1/2 cup crushed saltine crackers (about 14 crackers)
1/4 cup grated parmesan cheese
2 large egg whites
2 teaspoons minced dried onion (from the spice aisle)
1/2 teaspoon paprika (sweet not smoked)
1/2 teaspoon salt, plus more for sprinkling over the tots
1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
Ketchup or warm marinara sauce for serving

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper or coat with cooking spray.
In a large bowl, combine the shredded potatoes, crushed crackers, parmesan cheese, egg whites, dried onion, paprika, salt, and pepper. Mix well to combine.
Refrigerate the mixture for 30 minutes (and up to 24 hours).
Shape mixture into 24 balls and place the balls on the prepared pan. Shape the balls into “logs”, about 1 1/2 inches long by 1-inch high. Sprinkle the tops with a little more salt. 
Bake for 25 to 35 minutes, until golden brown.
Serve with ketchup or marinara sauce on the side. 

Serves 4-6