Are There Any Tater Tots Without Seed Oil?

December 16, 2025 •

3 min read

According to research, many commercial tater tot brands use inflammatory seed oils during processing. However, a growing market is catering to health-conscious consumers who are asking: are there any tater tots without seed oil? The answer is a definitive yes, with several brands and homemade recipes providing excellent alternatives.

Quick Summary

This guide details brands that sell pre-made tater tots and fries cooked without seed oils, using healthier fats like avocado oil instead. It also provides practical steps and recipes for creating delicious, crispy homemade tater tots from scratch, allowing for full control over ingredients.

Key Points

Availability: Some specialty brands, like Roots Farm Fresh, produce frozen tater tots and fries using avocado oil instead of conventional seed oils.
Ingredient Control: Making tater tots at home gives you full control over the ingredients, including the type of oil used for cooking.
Healthier Fats: Alternatives to seed oils for cooking tater tots include avocado oil, olive oil, and traditional fats like beef tallow or schmaltz.
Homemade Recipes: A variety of homemade recipes exist, including baked, air-fried, and even sweet potato versions, which can all be made without seed oil.
Cooking Method: Baking tater tots in the oven or air fryer with a light coating of a healthy fat like olive or avocado oil is a simple, seed oil-free cooking method.
Inflammation Concerns: Many consumers avoid seed oils due to concerns about their high omega-6 content and potential inflammatory effects.

Seed Oil-Free Tater Tot Options: Store-Bought and DIY

For those seeking to avoid inflammatory seed oils, the good news is that the market now offers viable alternatives to conventional brands. Health-focused companies have started producing frozen potato products, including tater tots, that use healthier cooking oils. Additionally, making your own at home provides the ultimate control over ingredients and preparation.

Store-Bought Brands Without Seed Oil

Several smaller, health-conscious brands have emerged to fill the gap left by major food manufacturers that rely on inexpensive seed oils. These options often use simple, high-quality ingredients and healthier fats.

Roots Farm Fresh: This brand is noted for its range of seed oil-free frozen potato products, which includes tater tots and fries. They use organic potatoes and avocado oil, promising a crispy, clean-ingredient product without compromising on flavor. Their commitment to simple ingredients makes them a popular choice for families and health-conscious eaters alike.
Jesse and Ben's: Specializing in restaurant-quality frozen fries, Jesse and Ben's offers products cooked in avocado oil or grass-fed beef tallow. While they primarily focus on fries, their philosophy of using only healthy fats and simple ingredients is consistent with what consumers seeking seed oil-free tater tots are looking for.
Paleo Robbie: For those seeking specialty options, Paleo Robbie offers sweet potato tater tots made with extra virgin olive oil instead of seed oils. This brand caters to specific dietary needs, proving that seed oil-free options exist beyond conventional potato products.

Comparison of Tater Tot Options


Feature	Conventional Tater Tots	Roots Farm Fresh Tots	Homemade Tater Tots
Cooking Oil	Canola, Soybean, Vegetable	Avocado Oil	Your Choice (e.g., Avocado, Olive, Tallow)
Ingredients	Potatoes, multiple additives	Potatoes, Avocado Oil, Sea Salt	Potatoes, seasoning, binding agent, oil
Availability	Widely available in supermarkets	Select health food stores, online	Made at home, requires preparation
Dietary Control	Minimal	High	Absolute
Cost	Low	Higher	Varies, can be lower in bulk
Additives	Preservatives, natural flavors	None specified	None

How to Make Homemade Seed Oil-Free Tater Tots

Making your own tater tots is a straightforward process that ensures complete control over the ingredients, including the type of cooking oil used. A basic baked recipe is a great starting point for achieving a crispy exterior and fluffy interior without the need for deep frying.

Ingredients

2 lbs russet potatoes
2 tbsp flour (all-purpose or gluten-free)
1/2 tsp garlic powder
1/2 tsp onion powder
1 tsp salt
1/2 tsp black pepper
Olive oil or avocado oil for baking

Instructions

Preheat your oven to 450°F (232°C).
Peel and parboil the potatoes in boiling water for about 6-7 minutes, until slightly tender but still firm.
Drain the potatoes well and let them cool for a few minutes. Grate them finely with a box grater.
In a large bowl, combine the grated potatoes with flour, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper. Use your hands to mix thoroughly and squeeze to help the mixture bind.
Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and brush it lightly with your chosen oil. Form the potato mixture into small, cylindrical tater tots and place them on the sheet.
Lightly brush the top of the tots with more oil. Bake for 15 minutes, then flip each tot and bake for another 15 minutes, or until golden brown and crispy.
For an alternative frying method, some home cooks use schmaltz or tallow for deep frying, which results in an incredibly rich flavor.

The Importance of Choosing Your Cooking Oil

Understanding the oil used is key for many health-conscious consumers. Seed oils like canola, soybean, and vegetable oil are often refined and high in omega-6 fatty acids, which some studies link to inflammation when consumed in excess. Alternatives like avocado oil are rich in monounsaturated fats and have a high smoke point, making them suitable for high-temperature cooking without breaking down. Choosing an oil based on its fatty acid profile and stability during cooking is an important consideration for a healthy diet.

Conclusion: Navigating Seed Oil-Free Tater Tot Options

The quest for tater tots without seed oil is easily achievable, offering solutions for both convenience and culinary control. Brands like Roots Farm Fresh provide a ready-made, high-quality frozen product that uses healthier avocado oil. For those who prefer a more hands-on approach, homemade recipes allow for complete customization of ingredients and cooking methods, from baking with olive oil to frying with traditional fats like beef tallow. By exploring these options, you can enjoy the classic comfort food while maintaining a healthier approach to your diet. For more recipe ideas, you can explore resources like Primal Kitchen.

Frequently Asked Questions

Roots Farm Fresh and Jesse and Ben's are two brands that produce frozen potato products, including tots, without using seed oils. They use healthier alternatives like avocado oil instead.

No, not all frozen tater tots contain seed oil. While many conventional brands do, a growing number of health-conscious brands are using alternative oils, or you can make them yourself at home.

Yes, some health food brands specialize in seed oil-free products. You can find pre-made frozen tater tots from companies like Roots Farm Fresh and Jesse and Ben's, which are cooked in alternative oils.

Good options for cooking homemade tater tots without seed oil include avocado oil, extra virgin olive oil, and rendered fats like beef tallow or schmaltz.

To check for seed oils, always read the product's ingredient list. Look for oils like canola, soybean, sunflower, corn, and cottonseed, and choose brands that specifically state they use alternative fats like avocado or olive oil.

Yes, you can air fry frozen tater tots without seed oil. Some seed oil-free brands are pre-cooked in healthier oils, or you can lightly spray regular tots with your preferred oil before cooking.

Yes, there are several healthy alternatives, such as baked cauliflower tots, broccoli tots, or sweet potato tots, which can all be made without using seed oils.