Make the best homemade tater tots
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Tater tots might not be something you think of when you’re looking for new potato recipes, but that will change right here!
It’s pretty safe to say that most tots you’ve prepared or tried were previously frozen and processed in a factory somewhere. Sure, hash browns or potato was one of the ingredients, but the others were largely unknown.
I was one of those people until recently. Then, I found that in just a few steps, you can make the best tots you have ever tasted and leave you wanting to experiment with other healthy additions. This easy recipe for a homemade version of tater tots is so easy, and they taste so much better than frozen store-bought tots!
This is a great recipe reminiscent of the childhood favorite in the old elementary school hot lunchroom, which never had any flavor except for freezer-burnt. It elevates this nostalgic side dish to a sophisticated level that’s healthier to serve your family.
Following my cooking passion has brought me to many paths that have opened me up to different takes on old classics. It just took thinking outside the box a little (literally) to find a way to make convenience food at home using simple ingredients and techniques.
Today, I’ll teach you how to take that old tot you never really liked—or loved only because you drowned it in ketchup—and bring it back to life!
All you will need is 5 simple ingredients to transform your childhood memory into a healthy alternative you’ll be happy to serve, and your family will love to eat.
Make your own tater tots
Today, I’ll teach you how to take that old tot you never really liked—or loved only because you drowned it in ketchup—and bring it back to life!
All you will need is 5 simple ingredients to transform your childhood memory into a healthy alternative you’ll be happy to serve, and your family will love to eat.
This recipe makes a BOATLOAD of tots! Cut the recipe in half or make the whole recipe, freeze some, and pop them into the oven or air fryer to reheat them whenever the craving hits!
Find Your Easy tips for making your own homemade tater tots: Sneak in some steamed, chopped broccoli or cooked sweet potatoes (prepared as below) to add flavor and extra vitamins.
Adults will love the addition of some grated onion to this recipe.
You can bake these homemade tater tots, but I suggest that you try frying them. It brings out their true yumminess.
Homemade tater tots
Equipment
- deep pot to boil potatoes
- large mixing bowl
- box grater with a large-hole grating side A food processor with a grating blade or ricer can be used instead
- deep fryer, or pan with high sides for frying or air fryer for frying
Ingredients
- 5 lbs Potatoes
- Sea salt
- Ground black pepper
- Cooking oil
- Cayenne powder (optional)
- Paprika (optional—but give smoky paprika a try!)
Instructions
Prepare potatoes
- Rinse the potatoes well.
- Place the clean potatoes in a deep, large pot and fill it with fresh water to cover the potatoes by a few inches.
- Place over high heat. Once the potatoes start to boil, set a timer for 8 minutes. Once cooked, drain the hot water and run the potatoes under cold water or plunge into a bowl of cold water until the centers are cool.
- Once cooled, you can start to shred. The best way I have found is to place teh box grater inside a big mixing bowl. Use the large holes on the shred side of the grater and shred the potatoes into the bowl. You can also use the grating blade on a food processor, or you can rice the potatoes.
- You'll notice that you will have lots of potato skins after you shred each potato. Since potatoes are members of the nightshade family and chickens should not have them, I toss the skins into the compost bin.
- If you choose to use the grater accessory on your food processor, the skins may grate into the pile or they may end up on top of the wheel ungrated. Either is ok. If they end up ungrated, dispose of them as above.
- Once you have all your potatoes shredded, sprinkle in the spices and gently fold them in. For 5 pounds of potatoes, sprinkle in 1 ½ tablespoons of salt, 1 ½ tablespoons of ground black pepper, just a pinch of cayenne pepper powder, and 1 teaspoon of paprika. Adjust these amounts as needed.
- Now is the time to add in some grated cooked brocolli or sweet potatoes or grated onion if you want.
Make the tots
- Using 2.5 to 3-ounce portions of the potato mixture, start making little barrels, the classic tater tot shape, with the inside of the palm of one hand and your thumb and fingers with the other. Practice makes perfect with this recipe.If you find that the potatoes don't stick together as you'd like, you can add a couple of beaten eggs. However, I've never had to do this.If it's easier, you can use a small cookie scoop to get uniform tots.
- Heat oil or an air fryer to 350 °F.For best results, a frying method is recommended. If frying in a small pot of oil, use a low-smoke oil like canola oil or vegetable oil.I have not tried baking these yet, but that might work very well., especially if they are spritzed with oil first.Air fryer tater tots are quite good and healthier than frying them inoil.
- Deep fry the tots for about 6 – 8 minutes or until dark golden brown. Remove the golden-brown tots to a paper towel on a baking sheet to soak out the excess oil. Add more salt if desired.
Notes
Watch for future blogs on amazing homemade dipping sauces to take your new
dish from a kids’ staple to an adult indulgence! In the meantime, try these dipping sauces.
Enjoy this homemade tater tot recipe. It makes a lot, so you’ll have some to freeze.
Simply put cooled tots on a baking sheet and freeze them. Once frozen, place in a freezer bag or container. By freezing them individually, you can remove only what you need for a meal and reheat them.
There’s something very satisfying in not feeding your family processed food. You won’t be bringing bags of tater tots home from grocery stores again.
Looking for something to jazz up your sandwiches? Try these quick pickles.
