Cheesy Hidden Veggie Turkey Sliders with Sweet Potato Fries

• 1 lb (450g) lean ground turkey
• 1 cup finely shredded carrots
• 1/2 cup finely chopped spinach
• 1/3 cup finely chopped onion
• 1/4 cup whole wheat breadcrumbs
• 1/4 cup shredded cheddar cheese, plus extra for topping
• 1 large egg
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
• Salt and black pepper to taste
• 8 small whole wheat slider buns
• 2 medium sweet potatoes, peeled and cut into 1/4-inch fries
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
• Salt to taste

Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C). Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper.
2. Place the cut sweet potato fries in a bowl. Toss them with olive oil, smoked paprika, and a pinch of salt. Spread fries in a single layer on the prepared baking sheet and bake for 20-25 minutes, turning halfway through until crispy and golden.
3. While fries bake, combine ground turkey, shredded carrots, chopped spinach, onion, breadcrumbs, cheddar cheese, egg, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper in a large bowl. Mix gently until all ingredients are just combined.
4. Form the turkey mixture into 8 small, evenly sized slider patties. Place them on a greased or parchment-lined baking sheet or skillet.
5. Heat a non-stick skillet over medium heat. Cook the turkey sliders for about 4-5 minutes on each side until cooked through and golden brown. In the final minute of cooking, top each slider with a small pinch of cheddar cheese and cover to melt.
6. Toast the slider buns lightly in the oven or on a skillet if desired.
7. Assemble sliders by placing each cooked patty on a bun bottom, adding any kid-friendly condiments like ketchup or mild mayo, then topping with the bun top.
8. Serve the turkey sliders alongside the baked sweet potato fries for a colorful, balanced meal.

Chef tips

• Finely shred or chop the vegetables so they blend well into the turkey patties and go unnoticed by picky eaters.
• If you prefer, swap out the turkey for ground chicken or lean beef using the same recipe.
• For gluten-free options, substitute whole wheat breadcrumbs with gluten-free breadcrumbs or oats ground into crumbs.
• To make fries extra crispy, soak the cut sweet potato sticks in cold water for 30 minutes before drying and baking.