Cold Weather Recipe: Grown-Up Tater-Tots (2024)

FAQs

How do I get the crispiest tater tots? ›

A longer cook time will cause the tots to shrink and dry out a little, which makes them even crispier all around on the outside with a potato-y center that's more dense and creamy.

To keep things easy and healthier, we bake the tots instead of frying them. A microwave and food processor makes quick work of the potatoes. Shaping the mixture is a little tricky — but with a bowl of cold water next to you, you'll quickly get the hang of it (see our notes in the recipe).

We know that what keeps the Tater Tots stuck together is a combination of two pretty sticky things: moist starches and proteins. The more they come in contact with each other, the stickier they become, and the tighter/gummier the Tater Tots will be.

You want them crispy, tater tots need to be cooked at a high temperature for this to happen. 375-400F is great, I find 375F the sweet spot to get them crispy but to also cook the inside before the outside burns.

Warning: There's absolutely nothing healthy or nutritionally redeeming about “tater tots.” They're straight up junk food, loaded with fat and salt. But they're also crispy, salty and simply irresistible — no matter what your age. Ore-Ida's Tater Tots were invented in Oregon in 1953 as a way to use up potato scraps.

For even crispiness, flip the tater tots halfway through the cooking time. This will ensure that both sides become golden brown and crispy.

You might think tater tots would taste like fries, but fries are just chunks of potatoes that are fried. Tots are potatoes chopped up into tiny bits, then mixed with seasonings and binder (corn flour, I think), so they taste slightly different, as well as having a different consistency.…

Heat oil in a deep fryer or large saucepan to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Lower potato nuggets carefully into the hot oil in batches, about 5 to 10 at a time. Fry until golden brown and crispy, about 3 to 4 minutes. Transfer to a paper towel-lined plate to drain.

Unopened bags of frozen tater tots can last up to 2 years in the freezer beyond the printed date. Once the bag has been opened, the tater tots are good for about 2 months, but they're best when consumed within a few weeks so they don't develop freezer burn.

How do you make tater tots not fall apart? ›

All-Purpose Flour.

Helps bind the potatoes, so the tater tots hold their shape and don't fall apart after baking.

Tater Tots History and Popularity

Created by Ore-Ida in the 1950s to limit waste during french fry production, tater tots (also known as potato rounds) have come a long way from their humble origin.

The best way to cook tater tots is to submerge them in 350 degree cooking oil until they are golden brown and crispy, drain and apply salt. Any other method is a waste of tots. How do you cook tater tots?

Brush/mist each tot with olive oil, be generous. Transfer to the oven and bake 10-12 minutes, slide a spatula underneath the tots, then flip and bake 10 more minutes. Flip once to the uncooked side, bake 10-12 minutes, until golden and crisp.

While they are delicious when baked, there's something truly special about the indulgent crunch of a deep-fried tater tot. If you're ready to take your tater tot game to the next level, here's a simple guide on how to deep fry tater tots to perfection.

The oil's temperature should be about 180°C (350°F). Once hot, carefully place a few tater tots in the oil without overcrowding the pan. Fry until they're golden brown and crispy, about 3-4 minutes, turning occasionally for even cooking.