Homemade Tater Tots

Forget the frozen bagged version and make these Homemade Tater Tots on your own. Easy ingredients, big on flavor, and super easy to prepare! Perfect for snacking, serving at parties, or as a side dish at dinner, these tater tots stand out with their crispy exterior and fluffy interior. They’re sure to please both kids and adults alike.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• Easy to Make: With simple ingredients and straightforward steps, you can whip these up in no time.
• Flavorful: The addition of garlic and onion powder elevates the taste beyond regular tater tots.
• Versatile Snack: Serve them as a side dish, appetizer, or snack—perfect for any occasion!
• Crispy Texture: Frying them ensures a delightful crunch that contrasts beautifully with the soft potato inside.
• Customizable: Feel free to experiment with your favorite seasonings or add cheese for an extra kick!

Tools and Preparation

Before diving into this delicious recipe, make sure you have the right tools on hand for a seamless cooking experience.

Essential Kitchen Tools

• Box shredder
• Large stockpot or Dutch oven
• Mesh sieve or colander
• Cheese cloth or thin dish towel
• Clean mixing bowl
• Baking sheet
• Sharp knife or kitchen scissors

Why These Tools Matter

• Box Shredder: Essential for shredding potatoes evenly, ensuring consistent texture in each tot.
• Large Stockpot or Dutch Oven: Allows for even cooking when boiling potatoes and frying tater tots.
• Mesh Sieve or Colander: Helps drain excess moisture from shredded potatoes, which is crucial for achieving crispiness.

Ingredients

Forget the frozen bagged version and make these Homemade Tater Tots on your own. Easy ingredients, big on flavor, and super easy.

Ingredients:
– 3-4 whole medium russet potatoes (peeled)
– 3-4 Tablespoons all-purpose flour
– 1 teaspoon garlic powder
– 1 teaspoon onion powder
– ½ teaspoon black pepper
– ½ teaspoon salt + more for topping and processing potatoes
– Vegetable oil for frying
– 1 Tablespoon fresh parsley (chopped) (optional)

How to Make Homemade Tater Tots

Step 1: Boil the Potatoes

Add peeled potatoes to a large stockpot or Dutch oven and cover with water. Bring to a boil. Boil for 6-7 minutes until parboiled but still firm.

Step 2: Shred the Potatoes

Allow the boiled potatoes to cool. Using a box shredder, shred the potatoes into fine pieces.

Step 3: Remove Excess Moisture

Line a mesh sieve or colander with cheese cloth or a thin dish towel. Place it over a bowl. Salt the shredded potatoes and let them sit for 10 minutes. Press down halfway through and at the end to remove excess moisture.

Step 4: Prepare Potato Mixture

Add the shredded potatoes to a clean mixing bowl, discarding any accumulated water. Add flour and seasonings (garlic powder, onion powder, black pepper, salt) to the shredded potatoes. Mix well using your hands or a large wooden spoon.

Step 5: Shape the Tater Tots

Using your hands, squeeze portions of the potato mixture into balls. Roll each ball into a 4–6-inch tube shape. Cut the tubes into 1½ inch long pieces resembling tater tots. Place them on a baking sheet as you go.

Step 6: Heat Oil for Frying

Fill a stockpot or Dutch oven with about 2 inches of vegetable oil. Heat it to 370-375 degrees F.

Step 7: Fry the Tater Tots

Carefully add tots to hot oil in batches of 7-8. Fry for about 5 minutes until golden brown, moving them frequently to prevent sticking.

Step 8: Drain Excess Oil

Once golden brown, move fried tater tots onto a paper towel-lined plate or baking sheet.

Step 9: Final Touches

Immediately sprinkle with salt while they are still hot. Cool slightly before adding optional chopped parsley on top before serving.

Enjoy your crispy Homemade Tater Tots!

How to Serve Homemade Tater Tots

Homemade Tater Tots are not just a delicious snack; they also make an excellent addition to various meals. You can serve them in many ways, making them a versatile choice for appetizers or sides.

As a Standalone Snack

• Dipping Sauces: Pair your tater tots with sauces like ketchup, ranch dressing, or spicy mayo for an extra kick.
• Cheese Sauce: Drizzle warm cheese sauce over the tots for a cheesy delight that everyone will love.

In a Breakfast Bowl

• Eggs and Tots: Top your tater tots with scrambled eggs, cheese, and fresh herbs for a hearty breakfast option.
• Breakfast Burrito: Use tater tots as a filling in burritos along with scrambled eggs, cheese, and avocado.

As a Side Dish

• With Burgers: Serve tater tots alongside juicy beef burgers instead of traditional fries for a fun twist.
• With Fried Chicken: Complement crispy fried chicken with tater tots for a satisfying meal.

How to Perfect Homemade Tater Tots

To achieve the best homemade tater tots, follow these simple tips. They will help you create crispy, flavorful bites every time.

• Bold Texture: Make sure to parboil the potatoes just enough to soften them without making them mushy. This helps retain texture.
• Bold Seasoning: Don’t skip the seasoning! Adding garlic powder and onion powder enhances the flavor significantly.
• Bold Frying Temperature: Maintain oil at 370-375 degrees F. This temperature is crucial for achieving that golden brown crispiness.
• Bold Drying Technique: Salting the shredded potatoes before draining removes excess moisture, which is key to crispiness.
• Bold Batch Cooking: Fry in small batches to ensure even cooking and prevent overcrowding in the pot.

Best Side Dishes for Homemade Tater Tots

Homemade Tater Tots can be complemented perfectly with various side dishes that enhance your meal experience. Here’s a list of some great options.

1. Coleslaw: A crunchy coleslaw adds freshness and balances out the richness of tater tots.
2. Garden Salad: A light garden salad with vinaigrette provides a refreshing contrast to the crispy tots.
3. Roasted Vegetables: Serve roasted seasonal vegetables as a healthy side that pairs well with the richness of tater tots.
4. Macaroni and Cheese: Creamy mac and cheese offers comfort that goes hand-in-hand with crispy potato bites.
5. Chicken Wings: Spicy chicken wings create an exciting combo when enjoyed alongside your homemade tater tots.
6. Grilled Corn on the Cob: Sweet corn on the cob brings summer vibes and complements the savory flavors of tater tots.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

When making Homemade Tater Tots, it’s easy to run into some common pitfalls. Here are a few mistakes to watch out for to ensure your tater tots turn out perfectly.

• Bold potatoes: Using the wrong type of potatoes can lead to mushy tater tots. Stick to russet potatoes for the best texture.
• Bold not salting adequately: Failing to salt the shredded potatoes can lead to bland tater tots. Always salt them before draining to enhance flavor.
• Bold overcooking during boiling: Boiling for too long can make the potatoes too soft. Aim for 6-7 minutes until they are just parboiled and still firm.
• Bold skipping the drying step: Not removing excess moisture can result in soggy tater tots. Use a cheese cloth or dish towel to thoroughly drain and dry the potatoes.
• Bold overcrowding the frying pan: Adding too many tater tots at once can lower the oil temperature, making them greasy. Fry in small batches for even cooking.

Refrigerator Storage

• Store in an airtight container.
• Keep in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

Freezing Homemade Tater Tots

• Place in a single layer on a baking sheet before freezing.
• Once frozen, transfer to a freezer-safe bag or container for up to 2 months.

Reheating Homemade Tater Tots

• Oven: Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C) and bake for about 10-15 minutes until crispy.
• Microwave: Heat on high for about 1-2 minutes, though this may make them less crispy.
• Stovetop: Reheat in a skillet with a little oil over medium heat, turning frequently until heated through.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best potato for Homemade Tater Tots?

Russet potatoes are ideal because they have a high starch content that helps achieve that perfect crispy texture.

Can I customize my Homemade Tater Tots?

Absolutely! You can add cheese, herbs, or spices to create your favorite flavor combinations.

How do I know when my Homemade Tater Tots are done frying?

They should be golden brown and crispy on the outside. This usually takes about 5 minutes per batch at the right temperature.

Can I bake my Homemade Tater Tots instead of frying?

Yes, you can bake them! Just spray with oil and bake at 400°F (200°C) for about 20-25 minutes, flipping halfway through.

Conclusion

Homemade Tater Tots are not only delicious but also versatile. You can customize them with various flavors and ingredients according to your preferences. Give this easy recipe a try, and enjoy a delightful snack or side dish that everyone will love!

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