Carrot Potato Tots

Why These Tots Are Great for Babies, Toddlers and Families 

Nutrient-Rich: Packed with vitamins (like vitamin A from carrots and vitamin C from potatoes) and calcium from cheese, they provide essential nutrients for growing children and adults.

Soft and Easy to Eat: The tots are soft, making them perfect for babies learning to self-feed and toddlers who prefer finger foods. They're also easy to chew for all ages.

Mild, Kid-Friendly Flavours: With the natural sweetness of carrots and the creaminess of cheese, these tots are tasty without strong or spicy flavours, making them appealing to young kids.

Customisable for the Whole Family: You can bake them for a soft baby-friendly option or pan-fry for a crispier snack. Plus, they can be paired with dips or other sides to suit all ages.

Simple and Healthy Ingredients: Made with just a few wholesome ingredients, these tots are free from preservatives and additives, making them a healthier alternative to store-bought snacks.

Carrot Potato Tots Recipe

Ingredients:

• 1 medium potato (about 200g)
• 2 medium carrots (about 150-200g)
• ½ cup shredded cheese (choose a mild cheese like cheddar or mozzarella)

Instructions:

1. Prepare and Cook the Vegetables: Peel the medium potato and two medium carrots. Chop the potato and carrots into small, even pieces. This will help them cook faster and more evenly. 

Set up a steamer basket over a pot of boiling water or use a steamer appliance. Steam the potato and carrot pieces for about 10-15 minutes, or until they are soft and easily pierced with a fork. Be sure they are fully cooked so they mash easily.

Tip: If you prefer, you can also boil the potatoes and carrots instead of steaming them. Just make sure to drain them well to avoid excess moisture.

2. Mash the Vegetables: Once the vegetables are cooked and tender, carefully transfer them into a mixing bowl. Use a potato masher or fork to mash the steamed potato and carrot together. You can mash them until smooth or leave a few small lumps for texture. Be sure to mash while they are still warm to make it easier to mix in the cheese.

3. Add the Cheese: Add 1/2 cup of shredded cheese to the warm mashed vegetables. The heat from the vegetables will help melt the cheese slightly, making the mixture more cohesive. Mix thoroughly until the cheese is fully combined with the potato and carrot mash. The cheese will act as a binder, making it easier to form the tots.

4. Form the Tots: Once the mixture is well combined, let it cool slightly so it’s easier to handle. Using your hands, take small portions of the mixture (about 1 tablespoon each) and shape them into small, cylindrical "tot" shapes. You can also roll them into balls if that’s easier. Place the formed tots on a plate or tray. If the mixture feels too sticky, you can lightly grease your hands with a little oil.

5. Cook the Tots: Preheat your oven to 180°C, Place the tots on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Bake the tots for 15-20 minutes, turning them halfway through to ensure even cooking. They should be lightly golden and firm on the outside.

If you prefer crispier tots, you can lightly pan-fry them. Heat a small amount of olive oil in a non-stick skillet over medium heat. Place the tots in the skillet and cook for 2-3 minutes on each side, until golden brown and slightly crispy on the outside. Remove and place on a plate lined with paper towels to drain excess oil.

6. Serve and Enjoy: Let the tots cool down slightly before serving, especially for babies and toddlers. These tots can be served as a snack, side dish, or part of a meal. They are soft and cheesy on the inside, perfect for little ones, and tasty enough for the whole family!

Tips for Success 

Ensure the Vegetables are Soft: Make sure the potato and carrots are fully cooked and very soft before mashing. If they are undercooked, they will be harder to mash and the tots won’t hold together well. Steam or boil them until a fork goes through with no resistance.

Mash While Warm: Mashing the vegetables while they’re still warm helps them blend better with the cheese. This also allows the cheese to melt slightly, which helps bind the mixture together.

Adjust the Texture: If the mixture feels too wet or soft to form tots, let it cool completely or add a small sprinkle of breadcrumbs (if you're okay with an additional ingredient) to absorb excess moisture. Conversely, if it feels too dry, you can add a little more cheese to make it stick together better.

Avoid Overhandling: When forming the tots, avoid overworking the mixture, as this can make the texture dense. Gently press them into shape with your hands.

Bake for Baby-Friendly Tots: Baking is the best option if you're making these for babies and toddlers, as it keeps the tots soft and requires no added oil. If you want a little crispiness without frying, you can lightly brush the tots with a small amount of olive oil before baking.

Pan-Fry for Crispier Tots: For older children and adults who enjoy a crispy exterior, pan-frying is a good option. Just make sure to use medium heat and not overcrowd the pan so each tot gets an even golden-brown crust.

Let Tots Cool Before Serving: For babies and toddlers, make sure the tots cool down enough before serving. They retain heat in the middle, so allow them to sit for a few minutes after baking or frying.

Ingredients Substitutions, and Additions 

Start by swapping the potato for sweet potato, which is naturally sweeter and gentler on a toddler’s stomach. Sweet potatoes are also rich in vitamin A, which is important for growing babies and toddlers. Another great option is butternut squash, as it's mild and easy to digest, with a slightly creamy texture when mashed.

Instead of carrots, try zucchini or pumpkin, both of which are soft and easy to mash, while still offering a mild flavor and nutrients. Zucchini is especially gentle and has a high water content, which can help keep the mixture soft and easy for little ones to eat.

For the cheese, stick to a mild cheese like mozzarella or mild cheddar since they melt well and have a smoother texture that babies and toddlers can enjoy. If your toddler is sensitive to dairy, you can try a dairy-free cheese or opt for nutritional yeast, which provides a cheesy flavor without any dairy.

To make the tots more baby-friendly, skip any added salt, as babies’ kidneys are still developing, and excess salt can be harmful. You can enhance flavor by adding a small pinch of garlic powder, onion powder, or even cinnamon(especially if you use sweet potato or pumpkin), which is gentle and adds a warm, comforting flavor.

If you're worried about texture, adding a little olive oil or coconut oil while mashing the vegetables can help keep the mixture smooth and moist, making it easier for your baby or toddler to eat.

For extra nutrition, you can blend in finely chopped spinach or peas, which are both soft and full of vitamins and iron. Just make sure the greens are chopped finely enough to avoid choking hazards. Ground flaxseed or chia seeds can also be mixed into the mash for a boost of healthy fats and omega-3s, which are important for brain development.

Finally, when forming the tots, make them small and bite-sized to reduce the risk of choking. If needed, gently mash or flatten them for younger babies who are just starting to enjoy solid food.

These modified tots are soft, easy to eat, and perfect for little hands to grab, making them a great option for toddlers and babies transitioning to more solid foods.

Serving Suggestions

For babies who are just starting on solids, you can serve the tots mashed or slightly flattened. This will make them easier to eat and less of a choking hazard. You can pair them with a small side of unsweetened applesauce or mashed avocado for a creamy complement.

For toddlers, these tots are perfect for self-feeding, as they are small enough for little hands to grasp. Pair them with a side of soft fruit like banana slices, steamed pear, or apple slices for a well-rounded meal. You can also serve them alongside a mild dip like unsweetened yogurt or a tahini-based dip for added flavor and texture.

If you’re serving them as part of a meal, pair the tots with a vegetable side such as steamed peas, soft-cooked broccoli, or steamed carrots. These vegetables are all toddler-friendly and provide extra vitamins and nutrients.

For an added protein boost, serve the tots with scrambled eggs or soft tofu cubes on the side. These are both great options for toddlers, offering easy-to-digest protein that pairs well with the cheesy veggie tots.

Another fun idea is to serve them alongside a smooth vegetable soup, like butternut squash soup or tomato soup, to dip. The tots will soak up some of the soup, adding an extra layer of flavor and making it even easier for little ones to eat.

Lastly, for a fun snack or lunch box meal, you can serve the tots with cut-up veggie sticks, such as cucumber slices, bell pepper strips, or cherry tomatoes (peeled for babies). This will add extra crunch and freshness to the meal.

How to Store

For short-term storage, you can store the tots in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Make sure they are fully cooled before placing them in the container to prevent moisture buildup, which can make them soggy. If you want to prevent them from sticking together, you can place a piece of parchment paper or wax paper between layers of tots.

For long-term storage, you can freeze the tots to keep them fresh for up to 2-3 months. To do this, lay the tots out in a single layer on a baking sheet or tray, making sure they aren't touching each other. Place the tray in the freezer for about 1-2 hours to flash freeze them.

Once frozen, transfer the tots to a freezer-safe bag or an airtight container. Label the bag with the date so you can keep track of how long they've been in the freezer. 

When you're ready to serve them, you can either reheat them from frozen in the oven or heat them in a skillet.

To reheat, If refrigerated, you can reheat the tots in a preheated oven at 180°C (350°F) for about 10-15 minutes or until they are heated through. If frozen, it's best to bake them directly from frozen to avoid sogginess. You can also reheat them in a skillet over medium heat for a few minutes on each side until they’re hot.

Equipment 

• Steamer pot
• Freezer-safe bag 
• Airtight container

Nutrition 

Suitable from 6 months

• CALORIES: 35KCAL

• CARBOHYDRATES: 6G

• PROTEIN: 1G

• FAT: 1.5G

• SODIUM: 20MG

• POTASSIUM:125MG

• FIBER: 1.3G

• SUGAR: 2.1G

• VITAMIN A: 600IU

• VITAMIN C: 4MG

• CALCIUM: 40MG |

• IRON: 0.4MG

Note: Nutritional values are estimates and may vary based on ingredient brands and portion sizes.