Sweet Potato Tater Tot Nachos are one of the most fun, flavorful, and customizable comfort foods you can make at home.
Whether you want something bold for game day, a quick weeknight dinner, or a healthier way to enjoy classic nachos, this dish brings together crispy sweet potato tots, melty cheese, and all your favorite toppings.
We’ll show you everything you need to make perfect totchos, from ingredients and technique to creative variations and storage tips.
Key Ingredients You’ll Need
To build the best Sweet Potato Tater Tot Nachos, gather the following core ingredients:
- Sweet potato tater tots, either frozen or homemade
- Cheese such as cheddar, pepper jack, Monterey Jack, cotija, or dairy-free alternatives
- Protein options like ground turkey, chorizo, shredded chicken, pulled pork, or black beans
- Fresh toppings including jalapeños, diced tomatoes, diced red onion, cilantro, shredded lettuce, and avocado
- Sauces such as chipotle crema, guacamole, salsa verde, pico de gallo, or nacho cheese sauce
You can stick with traditional Tex-Mex toppings or use the tots as a neutral canvas for creative global flavors.
How to Make Sweet Potato Tater Tot Nachos (Step-by-Step)
Making this dish is simple and fast, but a few techniques ensure perfect crispiness and even cooking.
- Preheat your oven to the temperature listed on your tot package. Spread the sweet potato tots evenly on a baking sheet. Bake until crisp, adding extra time if needed to maximize crunch.
- Remove the tots from the oven and transfer them to a clean baking sheet lined with parchment. Shape them into a loose mound or spread them in a single layer.
- Add your cheese across the top, making sure it covers as many tots as possible. Add cooked protein or beans at this stage.
- Return the nachos to the oven until the cheese is fully melted. For extra crispiness, finish under the broiler for 1–2 minutes.
- Remove from the oven and add cold toppings such as avocado, pico de gallo, cilantro, shredded lettuce, and sauces.
- Serve immediately.
This method ensures the tots stay crisp and the toppings remain fresh and vibrant.
Best Toppings for Sweet Potato Tots
Choosing the right toppings can take your totchos from good to unforgettable.
- Classic Tex-Mex toppings such as jalapeños, shredded cheese, tomatoes, and scallions
- Healthy alternatives like Greek yogurt, smashed avocado, shredded cabbage, or roasted veggies
- Flavor boosters including pickled red onions, roasted corn, lime crema, or cilantro
- Spicy additions such as serrano peppers, chipotle sauce, or spicy salsa
- Ingredients to avoid include toppings with high moisture content, like watery tomatoes or thin sauces, which can make the tots soggy
Focus on a balance of textures: crispy tots, creamy elements, crunchy vegetables, and bold seasonings.
Healthy Swaps and Customizations
Sweet Potato Tater Tot Nachos can easily be adapted for different diets and preferences.
- Use dairy-free cheese and coconut yogurt for a dairy-free version
- Keep it gluten-free by choosing certified gluten-free tots
- For a paleo or Whole30 style recipe, use homemade sweet potato tots with almond flour and skip processed sauces
- Add lean proteins like ground turkey or grilled chicken for a high-protein meal
- Swap traditional sour cream for Greek yogurt to reduce calories and add probiotics
These swaps allow you to enjoy all the flavor while meeting your nutritional goals.
Creative Variations to Try
Sweet potato tots are incredibly versatile, making it easy to switch up the flavors.
- BBQ Chicken Totchos: Combine shredded barbecue chicken with cheddar, jalapeños, and ranch drizzle
- Breakfast Nachos: Add scrambled eggs, bacon, cheese, avocado, and salsa
- Vegetarian Black Bean Nachos: Layer black beans, roasted corn, cheese, tomatoes, and cilantro
- Buffalo Chicken Totchos: Toss shredded chicken in buffalo sauce, then top with blue cheese and celery
- Holiday Sweet-Savory Nachos: Combine caramelized onions, turkey, cranberries, and white cheddar
These recipes are perfect when you want something unique but comforting.
Serving and Pairing Ideas
Serve Sweet Potato Tater Tot Nachos as a standalone meal, appetizer, or party dish.
- Pair them with classic dips such as queso, salsa, guacamole, or sour cream
- Serve alongside salads, corn on the cob, or grilled vegetables
- Pair with refreshing drinks like sparkling water, margaritas, Mexican sodas, or beer
- For parties, present them on a sheet pan with toppings arranged in colorful sections
Good presentation makes this dish even more appealing for gatherings.
Storage and Reheating Tips
Nachos are best fresh, but leftovers can still be delicious when stored properly.
- Store toppings separately when possible to avoid sogginess
- Keep the tots and protein in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days
- Reheat in the oven or air fryer to restore crispiness
- Avoid microwaving, as it softens the tots
- Freeze cooked proteins, but avoid freezing assembled nachos
These tips ensure your leftovers stay crisp and flavorful.
Recipe FAQ’s
Can I freeze the assembled nachos?
Freeze components instead of the assembled nachos. Freeze cooked proteins or extra baked tots, then assemble and melt cheese when ready to eat.
How do I keep the tots from getting soggy?
Bake them until very crispy before assembling, avoid overly wet toppings (drain salsas/beans well), and add cold, high-moisture toppings (like avocado, sour cream) only after the cheese melts.
How can I reduce calories?
Use less cheese (or a lower-fat cheese), swap Greek yogurt for sour cream, use lean protein or more beans, reduce avocado quantity, and portion-control the tots (or make tots from baked mashed sweet potato instead of store-bought).
Sweet Potato Tater Tot Nachos Recipe
Ingredients
- 680 g (24 oz) frozen sweet potato tater tots
- 226 g (2 cups / 8 oz) shredded cheddar cheese
- 454 g (1 lb) lean ground turkey (or swap for chorizo / chicken / plant-based crumbles)
- 1 can (15 oz) black beans, drained and rinsed (about 260 g drained)
- 1 medium avocado ~200 g edible, sliced or diced
- 1 cup salsa about 240 ml
- ½ cup plain Greek yogurt or sour cream about 120 ml
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- ¼ cup diced red onion about 40 g
- 1 jalapeño thinly sliced (optional)
- ¼ cup chopped cilantro about 15 g
- 1 lime juiced
- 1 tbsp taco seasoning store-bought or homemade
- Salt and black pepper to taste
Optional add-ins:
- pickled red onion
- 1 cup roasted corn
- cotija cheese crumbled
- pico de gallo
- chipotle crema
Instructions
Preheat & prepare tots
- Preheat oven to the temperature recommended on the sweet potato tots package (typically 200–220°C / 400–425°F). Spread the tots in a single layer on a rimmed baking sheet lined with parchment. Bake according to package directions until golden and crispy, about 20–25 minutes; flip once halfway through for even browning.
Cook the protein
- While the tots bake, heat 1 tbsp olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Add the diced red onion and cook 1–2 minutes until fragrant. Add the ground turkey and cook, breaking up with a spatula, until no longer pink (about 6–8 minutes). Stir in 1 tbsp taco seasoning and 1–2 tbsp water; cook another 1–2 minutes so the seasoning coats the meat. Taste and add salt/pepper as needed. Remove from heat.
Prepare cold toppings & sauces
- Dice the avocado, slice the jalapeño, chop the cilantro, and juice the lime. If using Greek yogurt, thin with a little lime juice to make a quick lime crema (mix about 1/2 cup yogurt + 1 tbsp lime juice + pinch of salt).
Assemble the nachos
- Transfer baked tots to a clean, oven-safe baking sheet or leave them on the baking sheet you used. Arrange tots in a single layer or slightly overlapped. Evenly distribute the cooked ground turkey (or beans) over the tots. Sprinkle the shredded cheddar evenly across the top.
Melt the cheese
- Return the assembled tray to the oven for 3–5 minutes, or place under the broiler for 1–2 minutes, watching closely, until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
Finish with fresh toppings
- Remove from oven and immediately add cold toppings: black beans (if not used as the cooked protein), diced avocado, salsa, sliced jalapeños, cilantro, and dollops of Greek yogurt or sour cream. Squeeze fresh lime over everything.
Serve
- Serve hot on the baking sheet or transfer to a large platter. Provide extra salsa, lime wedges, and hot sauce on the side.