Egg-Free Sweet Potato Chickpea Tots | Toddler-Friendly
These Sweet Potato Chickpea Tots are soft on the inside, lightly crisp on the outside, and made with simple, wholesome ingredients. They’re egg-free, toddler-friendly, and such an easy way to add chickpeas to your little one’s meals!
Sweet potato naturally keeps these tots soft and slightly sweet, while chickpeas make them hearty and satisfying. A little cheddar adds that cheesy flavor kids love, and quick oats help everything hold together.
Serve them for lunch, as a snack, or alongside your favorite dip!
Why You’ll Love These Sweet Potato Chickpea Tots
- Egg-free
- Made with simple ingredients
- Soft and easy for little ones to eat
- A fun way to serve chickpeas
- Great for snacks, lunchboxes, or a quick lunch
- Easy to make ahead
- Freezer-friendly
- Can be baked or air fried
Egg-Free Sweet Potato Chickpea Tots
Course: American, Egg-Free, Lunch u0026amp; Dinner, SnacksDifficulty: Easy12
Tots15
minutes20
minutesIngredients
1 cup canned chickpeas, drained and rinsed
½ cup cooked and mashed sweet potato
¼ cup shredded cheddar cheese
2 tablespoons quick oats
2 tablespoons finely grated carrot, optional
¼ teaspoon garlic powder
¼ teaspoon ground cumin
Tiny pinch of salt, optional
Directions
- Preheat the oven to 400°F if baking.
- Mash the chickpeas well in a medium bowl. I like to use my electric chopper for this – it breaks down the chickpeas quickly and gives the tots a nice, even texture.You don’t need to completely puree them; a little texture is perfectly fine.
- Add the mashed sweet potato, cheddar, quick oats, carrot, garlic powder, cumin, and optional salt.
- Mix until well combined.
- Rest the mixture for 5–10 minutes.
- Shape into approximately 12–14 small tots.
- To bake: Bake for 18–20 minutes, gently flipping around the 12-minute mark.
- To air fry: Air fry at 375°F for 10–12 minutes, turning halfway through.
- Let cool slightly before serving.
Notes
- Mixture too wet? Add quick oats 1 tablespoon at a time until you can shape the tots.
Mixture too dry? Add a little more mashed sweet potato rather than adding water.
For toddlers: Keep the tots soft rather than cooking them until very crisp, and serve in an age-appropriate size and texture.
Dairy-free: Omit the cheddar or use your preferred dairy-free alternative.
What Can I Serve With Chickpea Tots?
These are delicious on their own, but they’re also perfect for dipping. Try serving them with:
- Plain Greek yogurt
- Hummus
- Avocado or guacamole
- Mild yogurt-based dip
- Ketchup or another favorite toddler-friendly dip
You can also serve them alongside fruit and vegetables for an easy lunch.
Storage
Allow leftover tots to cool completely before transferring them to an airtight container.
Store them in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Reheat in the oven or air fryer until warmed through. You can also microwave them if you prefer a softer texture.
Freezing Instructions
Once completely cooled, arrange the tots in a single layer on a baking sheet or plate and freeze until firm.
Transfer the frozen tots to a freezer-safe container or bag. Freeze for up to 2 months.
Reheat from frozen in the oven or air fryer until heated all the way through.
