01 -
Preheat oven to 400°F. Line a baking sheet with foil, parchment paper, or a silicone mat. Drizzle 1 tablespoon of oil over the surface to prevent sticking.
02 -
Place peeled potato chunks into a large bowl of cold water. Swish gently for 15 seconds, then soak for 1 minute to remove excess starch. Drain thoroughly.
03 -
Pulse the drained potato chunks in a food processor until broken into small pieces, avoiding pureeing. Remove any large pieces and chop by hand if necessary.
04 -
Transfer chopped potatoes onto a clean kitchen towel. Wrap the towel around them and squeeze firmly to remove as much water as possible.
05 -
Microwave the damp potato pieces for 1 minute, stir, then microwave for an additional 30 seconds to soften without losing firmness. Let cool several minutes.
06 -
In a large bowl, mix the cooled potatoes with salt, onion powder, cornstarch, black pepper, cheddar cheese, and parsley if using. Fold gently to combine without mashing.
07 -
Wet your fingers with cold water to prevent sticking. Form the mixture into cylinders approximately 3/4 inch wide and 1 inch long. Place spaced on the prepared baking sheet.
08 -
Drizzle remaining 1 tablespoon of oil over the tots. Bake for 12 minutes or until bottoms are golden brown.
09 -
Carefully flip each tot using two forks. Continue baking for 12 to 15 minutes until the other side is golden and crisp.