Homemade tater tots recipe brings a delightful twist to your meals, making every occasion special. These crispy little barrels of joy are not only a hit at breakfast but also shine as a side dish for lunch or dinner. With their golden exterior and perfectly seasoned interior, they outshine any store-bought option. Plus, they are simple to make, ensuring that everyone in the family can enjoy this treat any time of the day.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Delicious Flavor: Each bite bursts with well-balanced seasoning, making them irresistible.
- Easy to Prepare: With straightforward steps, even novice cooks can whip up these tasty tots with ease.
- Versatile Side Dish: Perfect for breakfast, lunch, or dinner, these tater tots complement various meals.
- Fun for Everyone: Kids and adults alike will enjoy making and eating these homemade delights together.
- Healthier Option: Control the ingredients and make them as healthy as you want by frying in oil of your choice.
Tools and Preparation
To create your perfect homemade tater tots, you’ll need a few essential kitchen tools. These will help ensure that your cooking experience is both effective and enjoyable.
Essential Kitchen Tools
- Food processor or box grater
- Large pot
- Heavy-bottomed pot or deep fryer
- Parchment paper
- Paper towels
Why These Tools Matter
- Food processor or box grater: Shreds potatoes quickly and uniformly, saving time in preparation.
- Heavy-bottomed pot or deep fryer: Ensures even heating while frying for consistent results.
- Parchment paper: Helps keep your workspace clean and makes transferring the tots easy.
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 the Potatoes
Drain the potatoes then allow to cool until easily handled.
Step 3: Shred the Potatoes
Shred the potatoes using a food processor with a shredding attachment or a box grater. Add shredded potatoes to a larger bowl along with flour, garlic powder, salt, onion powder, and paprika; mix well.
Step 4: Form the Tots
Squeeze the potato mixture into small cylinders to form the tots. Place them on a piece of parchment paper until ready to cook.
Step 5: Heat Oil and Fry
Heat a heavy-bottomed pot with oil to 350°F. Add the tots in batches of 5-8 pieces depending on pot size. Cook for about 5 minutes or until golden brown. Remove and place on a paper towel-lined plate. Repeat until all tots are cooked.
Step 6: Serve
Serve immediately with a sprinkle of fresh parsley if desired. Enjoy your delicious homemade tater tots!
How to Serve Homemade Tater Tots Recipe
Homemade tater tots are a versatile side dish that can complement many meals. Here are some delicious serving suggestions to elevate your tater tot experience.
As a Breakfast Side
- With Eggs: Serve alongside scrambled or fried eggs for a hearty breakfast.
- In a Breakfast Burrito: Add tater tots into a breakfast burrito for extra crunch and flavor.
With Dipping Sauces
- Ketchup: A classic dip that pairs perfectly with the crispy texture of tater tots.
- Sour Cream: Adds a creamy element that balances the savory flavors.
- Spicy Mayo: For those who enjoy a kick, mix mayonnaise with sriracha for a zesty dip.
In a Tater Tot Casserole
- Layered Dish: Create a tater tot casserole by layering cooked ground turkey or chicken, cheese, and tater tots in a baking dish, then bake until golden and bubbly.
How to Perfect Homemade Tater Tots Recipe
To achieve the best homemade tater tots, follow these essential tips for perfecting your dish.
- Use Fresh Potatoes: Fresh russet potatoes yield the best texture and flavor. Avoid pre-packaged shredded potatoes as they may contain additives.
- Don’t Overcook the Potatoes: Boil just enough to soften them; overcooked potatoes can become mushy and hard to shred.
- Squeeze Out Excess Moisture: After shredding, press out any excess moisture from the potatoes to ensure crispy tots.
- Fry at the Right Temperature: Maintain oil temperature at around 350°F. If it’s too low, the tots will absorb more oil; too high will burn them quickly.
- Fry in Batches: Avoid overcrowding the pot. Frying in smaller batches ensures even cooking and crispiness.
- Serve Immediately: For the best taste and texture, serve your homemade tater tots right after frying.
Best Side Dishes for Homemade Tater Tots Recipe
Tater tots pair wonderfully with various side dishes. Here are some options that complement their delightful crunch.
- Garden Salad: A fresh salad with mixed greens adds balance and lightness to your meal.
- Grilled Chicken Breast: Juicy grilled chicken provides protein and makes for a satisfying combination.
- Roasted Vegetables: Seasonal roasted veggies add color and nutritional value alongside your tater tots.
- Coleslaw: Crunchy coleslaw offers a refreshing contrast to the warm, crispy bites of tater tots.
- Macaroni and Cheese: Creamy mac and cheese pairs wonderfully for those comfort food cravings.
- Vegetable Stir-Fry: A quick stir-fry can provide vibrant flavors that enhance the overall meal experience.
- Steamed Broccoli: Lightly steamed broccoli adds nutrition while maintaining simplicity on your plate.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
When making homemade tater tots, even small mistakes can lead to disappointing results. Here are some common pitfalls to steer clear of.
- Using unpeeled potatoes – Always peel your russet potatoes before cooking. The skin can make the texture gritty and interfere with the smoothness of your tots.
- Overcooking the potatoes – Avoid boiling the potatoes for too long. You want them partially cooked; overcooked potatoes will become mushy and hard to shred.
- Not squeezing out excess moisture – Failing to remove moisture from the shredded potatoes can lead to soggy tots. Make sure to pat them dry or squeeze them gently in a clean kitchen towel.
- Skipping seasoning – Don’t forget to season your mixture well! This step is vital for flavorful tater tots; be generous with garlic powder, onion powder, and salt.
- Crowding the pot while frying – Frying too many tots at once can lower the oil temperature, leading to uneven cooking. Stick to small batches for that perfect golden brown color.
Refrigerator Storage
- Store your homemade tater tots in an airtight container.
- They will stay fresh for up to 3 days in the refrigerator.
Freezing Homemade Tater Tots Recipe
- Freeze uncooked tater tots on a baking sheet first before transferring them to a freezer-safe bag or container.
- Properly stored, they can last up to 3 months in the freezer.
Reheating Homemade Tater Tots Recipe
- Oven – Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) and bake for about 10-15 minutes until heated through and crispy.
- Microwave – Heat on a microwave-safe plate for about 1-2 minutes, but keep in mind they may not stay crispy.
- Stovetop – For best results, reheat in a skillet over medium heat with a little oil until warmed through and crispy again.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best type of potato for homemade tater tots?
Russet potatoes are ideal because they have a high starch content, which helps achieve that perfect crispy texture.
Can I use sweet potatoes instead?
Yes! Sweet potatoes can be used for a different flavor profile. Just adjust seasonings accordingly as sweet potatoes have their own natural sweetness.
How can I customize my homemade tater tots recipe?
Feel free to add different spices like cayenne pepper or herbs like rosemary. You can also mix in cheese or cooked vegetables for added flavor!
How do I store leftover homemade tater tots?
Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to three days or freeze them for longer storage.
Conclusion
This homemade tater tots recipe is a crowd-pleaser that you can enjoy any time of day. With endless customization options, you can easily adapt it to suit your tastes. Try these crispy delights today and impress your family with this tasty side dish!
Homemade Tater Tots
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: Approximately 8 servings 1x
Description
Experience the joy of homemade tater tots with this simple and delightful recipe. These crispy potato treats are perfect for any meal of the day, whether served alongside breakfast eggs or as a side to your favorite lunch or dinner dish. With a golden, crunchy exterior and a well-seasoned interior, they far surpass any store-bought version. Plus, making them at home is easy and fun for the whole family. Customize your tater tots with different herbs and spices to create a flavor profile that suits your taste. Enjoy these delicious bites fresh from the fryer or explore creative serving options for an unforgettable dining experience.
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)
Instructions
- Boil peeled potatoes in a large pot covered with water for 8-10 minutes until partially cooked. Drain and cool.
- Shred cooled potatoes using a food processor or box grater. In a bowl, combine shredded potatoes with flour, garlic powder, salt, onion powder, and paprika.
- Form small cylinders from the potato mixture and place them on parchment paper.
- Heat oil in a heavy-bottomed pot to 350°F. Fry tots in batches for about 5 minutes or until golden brown. Drain on paper towels.
- Serve immediately garnished with parsley if desired.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Appetizers & Snacks
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 140
- Sugar: 0g
- Sodium: 150mg
- Fat: 7g
- Saturated Fat: 1g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 19g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 0mg
