Tater tots are a beloved comfort food that many of us grew up enjoying. These crispy, bite-sized potato treats are perfect as a side dish or even as a snack on their own. In this recipe, we’ll show you how to make classic tater tots from scratch, using simple ingredients that you probably already have in your kitchen.
Ingredients for Homemade Tater Tots:
- 2 pounds russet potatoes, peeled
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/4 teaspoon paprika
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- Oil, for frying
How to Make Homemade Tater Tots:
- Prepare the potatoes: Grate the peeled potatoes using a box grater. Place the grated potatoes in a clean kitchen towel and squeeze out as much excess moisture as possible.
- Season the potatoes: In a large bowl, combine the grated potatoes, salt, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, black pepper, and flour. Mix well to combine.
- Form the tater tots: Take small portions of the potato mixture and shape them into small cylinders, about 1 inch long and 1/2 inch thick. Place the formed tater tots on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
- Chill the tater tots: Place the baking sheet with the tater tots in the refrigerator and chill for at least 30 minutes. Chilling helps the tater tots hold their shape during frying.
- Fry the tater tots: Heat about 1 inch of oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Once the oil is hot, carefully add the tater tots in batches, making sure not to overcrowd the pan. Fry the tater tots for 2-3 minutes per side, or until golden brown and crispy.
- Serve: Remove the tater tots from the oil and drain on a paper towel-lined plate. Serve hot and enjoy!
About the Main Ingredients:
- Potatoes: Russet potatoes are ideal for making tater tots because they are starchy and help bind the tater tots together. They also have a fluffy texture when cooked, which is perfect for tater tots.
- Seasonings: Salt, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, and black pepper add flavor to the tater tots. Feel free to adjust the seasonings to suit your taste.
- Flour: All-purpose flour helps bind the tater tots together and adds a slight crispness to the exterior when fried.
- Oil: Any neutral oil with a high smoke point, such as vegetable or canola oil, can be used for frying the tater tots.
