Homemade Tater Tots Recipe

Homemade Tater Tots Recipe is a delightful way to elevate any meal. These crispy, golden bites of perfectly seasoned shredded potatoes are a crowd-pleaser at breakfast, lunch, or dinner. Whether you’re serving them as a side dish or a snack, their crunchy exterior and soft interior offer a satisfying contrast that makes every bite irresistible. Plus, they’re simple to make from scratch, ensuring you can enjoy fresh tater tots whenever the craving strikes!

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• Easy to Prepare: With just a few simple steps, you can create delicious tater tots in no time.
• Family Favorite: Kids and adults alike will love these crispy treats, making them perfect for family gatherings.
• Customizable Flavor: Feel free to adjust the seasonings to suit your taste preferences.
• Perfect for Any Meal: Serve these tater tots alongside breakfast eggs, as an appetizer, or with dinner.
• Make Ahead Option: You can prepare the tots ahead of time and freeze them for later use.

Tools and Preparation

To make this homemade tater tots recipe easily and efficiently, having the right kitchen tools is essential.

Essential Kitchen Tools

• Food processor
• Box grater
• Large pot
• Heavy-bottomed pot for frying
• Parchment paper

Why These Tools Matter

• Food processor: Speeds up the shredding process, allowing for even texture.
• Heavy-bottomed pot: Ensures even heat distribution while frying, resulting in perfectly cooked tater tots.

Ingredients

This homemade tater tots recipe makes all store bought tots seem sad. Perfectly seasoned shredded potatoes get formed into barrels and fried to perfection for a side dish everyone in the family will love for breakfast, lunch, or dinner!

Ingredients:
– 2 lbs russet potatoes (4-5 medium, peeled)
– 2 tablespoons flour
– ½ teaspoon garlic powder
– ½ teaspoon salt
– ¼ teaspoon onion powder
– ¼ teaspoon paprika
– Oil for frying
– Fresh minced parsley for garnish (optional)

How to Make Homemade Tater Tots Recipe

Step 1: Boil the Potatoes

Place the peeled potatoes in a large pot and cover with water. Bring the water to a boil and cook for 8-10 minutes or until the potatoes are partially cooked.

Step 2: Cool and Shred Potatoes

Drain the potatoes and allow them to cool until they can be easily handled. Shred the potatoes using a food processor with a shredding attachment or a box grater.

Step 3: Mix Ingredients

In a larger bowl, combine the shredded potatoes with flour, garlic powder, salt, onion powder, and paprika. Mix well until all ingredients are evenly distributed.

Step 4: Form Tater Tots

Squeeze small amounts of the potato mixture into small cylinders to form the tots. Place them on a piece of parchment paper until you’re ready to cook.

Step 5: Heat Oil and Fry

Heat oil in a heavy-bottomed pot to 350°F. Add the tots in batches of 5-8 pieces based on pot size. Cook for about 5 minutes or until golden brown. Remove and place on a paper towel-lined plate. Repeat this process until all tots have been cooked.

Step 6: Serve

Serve immediately with a sprinkle of fresh parsley if desired. Enjoy your homemade tater tots as an irresistible side dish!

How to Serve Homemade Tater Tots Recipe

Homemade tater tots are a versatile and delicious side dish that can be enjoyed in various ways. Whether you want to keep it simple or elevate your meal, here are some serving suggestions that everyone will love.

As a Snack

• Dipping Sauces: Serve with ketchup, ranch dressing, or spicy mayo for a fun snack that’s perfect for sharing.
• Cheese Sauce: Drizzle warm cheese sauce over the tater tots for a cheesy indulgence.

With Breakfast

• Eggs and Tots: Pair crispy tater tots with scrambled eggs or an omelet for a hearty breakfast.
• Breakfast Burritos: Incorporate tater tots into breakfast burritos for added texture and flavor.

As a Side Dish

• With Burgers: Serve alongside juicy beef burgers for a satisfying meal that will please the entire family.
• On Salads: Top your favorite green salad with crispy tater tots to add crunch and flavor.

For Game Day

• Buffalo Tots: Toss cooked tater tots in buffalo sauce and serve with blue cheese dressing for an exciting game day snack.
• Loaded Tots: Top with cheese, sour cream, chives, and cooked chicken or turkey for a filling treat.

How to Perfect Homemade Tater Tots Recipe

Making the perfect homemade tater tots requires attention to detail. Here are some tips to ensure they turn out crispy and delicious every time.

• Use Starchy Potatoes: Choose russet potatoes as they produce the best texture due to their high starch content.
• Don’t Overboil: Boil potatoes just until partially cooked; this helps maintain their structure when shredded.
• Squeeze Out Moisture: After shredding, make sure to squeeze out excess moisture from the potatoes for crispier results.
• Heat Oil Properly: Ensure your oil is heated to 350°F before frying; this prevents soggy tots and ensures golden-brown perfection.
• Fry in Batches: Frying too many at once can lower the oil temperature. Cook in small batches for even cooking.
• Garnish Thoughtfully: A sprinkle of fresh parsley not only adds color but also enhances flavor.

Best Side Dishes for Homemade Tater Tots Recipe

Tater tots make an excellent companion to many dishes. Here are some fantastic side dishes that complement homemade tater tots beautifully.

1. Coleslaw: A crunchy, tangy slaw adds freshness and balances out the richness of the tater tots.
2. Grilled Vegetables: Colorful grilled veggies bring a smoky flavor that pairs well with crispy potatoes.
3. Chicken Wings: Spicy or BBQ chicken wings make an exciting combination that’s perfect for gatherings.
4. Caesar Salad: The creamy dressing and crisp romaine lettuce provide a refreshing contrast to the savory tater tots.
5. Macaroni and Cheese: Creamy mac and cheese makes for a comforting side that’s loved by both kids and adults alike.
6. Roasted Brussels Sprouts: These add an earthy flavor and are nutrient-packed, creating a well-rounded meal.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Making homemade tater tots can be a fun and rewarding experience, but there are common pitfalls that can lead to less-than-perfect results.

• Bold preparation: Not cooking the potatoes enough can lead to soggy tater tots. Make sure to boil them until they are partially cooked.
• Bold seasoning neglect: Skipping on seasonings can make your tater tots bland. Use garlic powder, onion powder, and paprika for enhanced flavor.
• Bold improper frying temperature: Frying at too low a temperature will result in greasy, soggy tots. Ensure your oil is heated to 350°F before adding the tots.
• Bold overcrowding the pot: Adding too many tots at once can lower the oil temperature. Fry in small batches for even cooking.
• Bold ignoring cooling time: Allowing shredded potatoes to cool completely before forming them into tots is essential. This helps with shaping and prevents them from falling apart.

Refrigerator Storage

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

Freezing Homemade Tater Tots Recipe

• Place uncooked or cooked tots in a single layer on a baking sheet.
• Freeze until solid, then transfer to a freezer-safe bag for up to 3 months.

Reheating Homemade Tater Tots Recipe

• Oven: Preheat to 400°F and bake for about 10-15 minutes until hot and crispy.
• Microwave: Heat on high for 1-2 minutes; this may make them soft rather than crispy.
• Stovetop: Reheat in a skillet over medium heat, turning occasionally until warmed through.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best way to serve homemade tater tots?

Homemade tater tots are perfect served as a side dish or snack. Pair them with ketchup or your favorite dipping sauce for added flavor.

How do I know when my tater tots are done frying?

Tater tots should be golden brown and crispy on the outside. Usually, frying them for about 5 minutes will achieve this result.

Can I customize my homemade tater tots recipe?

Absolutely! You can add cheese, herbs, or spices of your choice to enhance the flavor profile of your tater tots.

How long does it take to make homemade tater tots?

The total time for this homemade tater tots recipe is around 40 minutes, including prep and cooking time.

Conclusion

This homemade tater tots recipe is sure to impress family and friends alike. The flavorful seasoning and crispy texture make it versatile enough for any meal—breakfast, lunch, or dinner. Feel free to customize with different seasonings or toppings for a unique twist!