Homemade tater tots

Prep Time 1 30

Course Side Dish

Cuisine American

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

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.

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.

Place the homemade tots in your favorite serving dish and garnish with fresh parsley, parmesan cheese, or green onion for some color.

Serve with ketchup or your favorite dipping sauce.

Kids love these with hot dogs, but they make a great side dish for most meats and sandwiches.

Keyword homemade tater tots, tater tots