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.
Ingredients
Scale
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)
Instructions
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- Craft potato mixture into cylindrical shapes approximately 4-6 inches long, then slice into bite-sized tot segments roughly 1½ inches in length.
- 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.
- Extract tots using a slotted spoon and transfer to paper towel-lined plate. Immediately season with additional salt for enhanced flavor.
- 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