The Fluffiest Homemade Tater Tots Recipe Ever Made

Crispy, golden homemade tater tots burst with nostalgic comfort on every plate.

Potato shreds mixed with sharp cheddar create irresistible nuggets of joy.

Childhood memories dance through each crunchy bite of these delectable morsels.

Simple ingredients and smart techniques guarantee restaurant-quality results in your kitchen.

Seasoned home cooks and kitchen novices alike can master this crowd-pleasing side dish.

Salt, pepper, and a hint of garlic elevate these little potato treasures beyond ordinary expectations.

Homemade Tater Tots Crispy and Delicious at Home

• Craft Homemade Comfort: Dive into a nostalgic cooking adventure that transforms simple potatoes into crispy, golden tater tots bursting with flavor right in your kitchen.
• Master Simple Techniques: Learn professional cooking methods like parboiling, shredding, and precise frying that elevate your culinary skills without complicated steps.
• Customize Your Flavor: Experiment with different seasonings like smoked paprika, herbs, or cheese to create personalized tater tots that match your taste preferences perfectly.
• Budget-Friendly Crowd-Pleaser: Create a delicious snack that's cheaper than store-bought versions and guaranteed to impress family and friends at gatherings, game nights, or casual get-togethers.

Ingredients Found in Homemade Tater Tots

• Potatoes: A hearty vegetable that provides the classic tater tot texture and flavor.

• Garlic Powder, Onion Powder: Aromatic spices that enhance the overall taste profile of the tater tots.
• Black Pepper, Salt: Essential seasonings that add depth and bring out the potato's natural flavors.

• Flour: A key ingredient that helps bind the potato mixture and creates a crisp exterior.

• Vegetable Oil: Provides the medium for deep frying and creates a golden, crunchy exterior.
• Parsley: An optional herb that adds a fresh, green garnish to the finished tater tots.

How to Make Homemade Tater Tots Easily

Step 1: Prepare Potato Base

Grab fresh potatoes and clean them thoroughly. Peel the skin completely.

Place potatoes in a large pot filled with water. Bring the water to a rolling boil and cook for 6-7 minutes.

The potatoes should remain slightly firm and not become mushy. Remove from heat and let them cool down completely at room temperature.

Step 2: Shred and Drain Potatoes

Take a box grater and shred the cooled potatoes into fine strands. Transfer the shredded potatoes into a cheesecloth or clean kitchen towel.

Sprinkle some salt over the potato shreds. Let the potatoes sit for 10 minutes, periodically pressing down to squeeze out excess liquid.

This step ensures your potato nuggets will be crispy and not soggy.

Step 3: Mix Flavor Enhancers

• All-purpose flour
• Garlic powder
• Onion powder
• Black pepper
• Salt

Mix everything together using your hands or a wooden spoon until well combined.

The mixture should hold together when gently squeezed.

Step 4: Shape Potato Nuggets

Roll the potato mixture into small cylindrical shapes about 4-6 inches long.

Cut these into bite-sized pieces approximately 1½ inches in length. Make sure each nugget is compact and holds its shape.

Step 5: Fry to Golden Crunchiness

Heat vegetable oil in a deep pot until it reaches 370-375°F. Carefully drop potato nuggets into the hot oil in small batches of 7-8 pieces.

Fry for about 5 minutes, gently moving them around to prevent sticking. The nuggets should turn a beautiful golden brown color.

Step 6: Drain and Season

Remove the potato nuggets using a slotted spoon and place them on a paper towel-lined plate. Immediately sprinkle with a pinch of salt while they’re still hot.

This helps the salt stick and enhances the flavor.

Step 7: Serve and Enjoy

Transfer the crispy potato nuggets to a serving plate.

Optionally, garnish with some freshly chopped parsley. Serve immediately with your favorite dipping sauces like ranch, ketchup, or spicy aioli.

Helpful Tips for Crispy Homemade Tater Tots

• Press shredded potatoes firmly in cheesecloth to remove maximum moisture, ensuring crispy tots that won't become soggy during frying.
• Use a candy thermometer to keep oil between 370-375°F, preventing tots from absorbing excess oil or becoming greasy.
• Mix ingredients lightly with hands to avoid overworking the mixture, which can make tater tots dense and tough.
• Experiment with additional spices like smoked paprika, dried herbs, or grated parmesan to elevate the flavor profile of your homemade tots.
• Prepare a large batch and freeze uncooked tots on a baking sheet, then transfer to a freezer bag for quick weeknight cooking.

Flavor Twists on Classic Homemade Tater Tots

• Herb-Infused Tots: Mix fresh chopped rosemary, thyme, and chives into the potato mixture for an aromatic herbal version that elevates the classic recipe.
• Cheesy Potato Nuggets: Fold in grated cheddar or parmesan cheese before shaping, creating a melty interior with crispy exterior.
• Spicy Southwest Tots: Add diced jalapeños, smoked paprika, and a pinch of cayenne pepper to give these tots a zesty, southwestern kick.
• Bacon and Chive Tots: Incorporate crispy crumbled bacon bits and finely chopped chives into the potato mixture for a savory breakfast-inspired variation.

Foods That Pair Well With Homemade Tater Tots

• Pair with Zesty Ranch Dip: Blend cool ranch dressing with fresh chives and a dash of hot sauce for a tangy, creamy companion that elevates the crispy potato bites.
• Create a Beer Pairing: Choose a light, crisp pilsner or wheat beer that cuts through the richness of the tater tots, refreshing your palate with each bite and sip.
• Match with Spicy Ketchup: Mix sriracha or hot sauce into classic ketchup, creating a vibrant, fiery dipping sauce that adds excitement and heat to the golden-brown tots.
• Complement with Craft Cocktail: Enjoy a classic vodka martini or a citrusy gin and tonic that provides a sophisticated, clean taste to balance the hearty potato texture.

Proper Storage Tips for Homemade Tater Tots

Store cooled tater tots in an airtight container, keeping them fresh for 3-4 days in the refrigerator. Separate layers with parchment paper to prevent sticking.

Place completely cooled tater tots on a baking sheet, freeze until solid, then transfer to a freezer-safe bag. They’ll stay delicious for up to 2 months.

Spread frozen or refrigerated tater tots on a baking sheet, bake at 425°F for 10-15 minutes. Flip halfway through to ensure crispy edges and even heating.

Arrange tots in a single layer in the air fryer basket, cook at 375°F for 3-5 minutes. Shake the basket midway to restore their original crunchiness.

FAQs

• Why parboil the potatoes first?

Parboiling helps partially cook the potatoes, ensuring a soft interior while maintaining firmness for easy shredding and preventing excess moisture during the tot-making process.

• How do I remove moisture from shredded potatoes?

Use a cheesecloth-lined sieve and sprinkle salt, which helps draw out excess water. Press down multiple times to squeeze out moisture, creating crispier tater tots.

• Can I use other seasonings in the potato mixture?

Absolutely! While garlic and onion powder work great, you can experiment with herbs like rosemary, thyme, or add grated parmesan cheese for extra flavor.

Homemade Tater Tots Recipe

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4.7 from 27 reviews

• Total Time: 35 minutes
• Yield: 34 1x

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Description

Crispy homemade tater tots bring potato perfection to your dinner table with golden-brown crunch and irresistible flavor. Comfort meets creativity in this classic side dish that will delight everyone at your meal.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Potatoes:

• 3–4 medium russet potatoes, peeled

Seasonings:

• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon onion powder
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
• 1/2 teaspoon salt (+ more for topping and processing potatoes)

Additional Ingredients:

• 3–4 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• Vegetable oil, for frying
• 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped (optional)

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Instructions

1. Prepare potatoes by peeling and submerging in a large pot of water. Bring to a rolling boil and cook for 6-7 minutes until slightly tender but maintaining structural integrity. Remove and allow to cool completely at room temperature.
2. Carefully shred cooled potatoes using a box grater. Position a cheesecloth-lined sieve over a bowl, sprinkle potatoes with salt, and drain excess moisture. Press firmly to extract liquid, then transfer potato shreds to a clean mixing bowl.
3. Incorporate dry seasonings including flour, garlic powder, onion powder, black pepper, and salt into shredded potatoes. Blend thoroughly using hands or wooden spoon until mixture coheres uniformly.
4. Craft potato mixture into cylindrical shapes approximately 4-6 inches long, then slice into bite-sized tot segments roughly 1½ inches in length.
5. Heat cooking oil in a deep stockpot to 370-375°F. Carefully lower tots into hot oil in small batches of 7-8 pieces. Fry for approximately 5 minutes, gently rotating to ensure even golden-brown coloration and prevent adherence to pot surface.
6. Extract tots using a slotted spoon and transfer to paper towel-lined plate. Immediately season with additional salt for enhanced flavor.
7. Optional: Garnish with freshly chopped parsley. Serve piping hot alongside preferred dipping sauces for maximum enjoyment.

Notes

• Use starchy potatoes like Russet for the best texture and crispiness, ensuring a perfect golden-brown exterior.
• Thoroughly remove moisture from shredded potatoes to prevent soggy tots and achieve maximum crunchiness.
• Experiment with different seasonings like smoked paprika or herbs to create unique flavor variations that suit your taste.
• For a gluten-free option, replace wheat flour with cornstarch or alternative gluten-free flour blends to maintain the crispy coating.

• Prep Time: 30 minutes
• Cook Time: 5 minutes
• Category: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer, Snacks
• Method: Boiling
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 34
• Calories: 125
• Sugar: 0.3 g
• Sodium: 112 mg
• Fat: 1.2 g
• Saturated Fat: 0.2 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 1 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 27 g
• Fiber: 2.4 g
• Protein: 3 g
• Cholesterol: 0 mg