If you’re a tater tot lover, you know there is nothing better than enjoying a golden, crispy tot alongside your favorite meal. But have you ever thought about making your own homemade tater tots? It may sound daunting, but with a little bit of patience, you can easily create these delicious bites in the comfort of your own kitchen.

The best thing about making homemade tater tots is that you can customize them to your liking. You can add different herbs, spices, or even cheese to give them an extra kick of flavor. Plus, by making them yourself, you can control the ingredients and ensure that they are fresh and free from any additives or preservatives. So, let’s grab some potatoes and get ready to make some delicious homemade tater tots!

Ingredients

Making homemade tater tots is easier than you might think. The best part? You only need a handful of ingredients. Here’s what you’ll need to get started:

1. Potatoes
2. Salt
3. Pepper
4. Garlic powder
5. Onion powder
6. All-purpose flour
7. Cornstarch
8. Shredded cheddar cheese
9. Vegetable oil
10. Egg

Step-by-Step Instructions

Now that you’ve gathered your ingredients, it’s time to get cooking. Follow these step-by-step instructions to make delicious homemade tater tots:

Step 1: Peel and Shred Your Potatoes

Start by washing and peeling your potatoes. Then, use a grater or food processor to shred them into fine pieces. Make sure to squeeze out any excess moisture from the potatoes by placing them in a cheesecloth or clean kitchen towel and wringing out the liquid.

Step 2: Season Your Potatoes

In a large mixing bowl, add your shredded potatoes and season them with salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, and any other seasoning of your choice. Mix well to ensure that the seasoning is evenly distributed throughout the mixture.

Step 3: Combine Flour and Cornstarch

Next, combine the all-purpose flour and cornstarch in a small bowl. This will be the binding agent for your tater tots and will help to hold them together.

Step 4: Add Shredded Cheese

Mix in shredded cheddar cheese to the potato mixture. This will add a delicious cheesy flavor to your tater tots.

Step 5: Form the Tater Tots

Take a small handful of the potato mixture and form it into a small cylinder shape. Repeat this process until you have formed all of the tater tots.

Step 6: Coat in Flour and Cornstarch

Roll the tater tots in the flour and cornstarch mixture, making sure to coat each one evenly.

Step 7: Dip in Egg Wash

Whisk an egg in a bowl and dip each tater tot into the egg wash.

Step 8: Fry the Tater Tots

Heat vegetable oil in a large pan or deep fryer to 375°F. Carefully lower each tater tot into the hot oil and cook for 2-3 minutes or until golden brown.

Step 9: Drain on Paper Towels

Remove the cooked tater tots from the oil using a slotted spoon and place them on a plate lined with paper towels. This will help to absorb any excess oil.

Step 10: Enjoy!

Serve your homemade tater tots hot with your favorite dipping sauce. Enjoy the crispy, golden brown exterior and the warm, cheesy center.

Bonus Tips

– Experiment with different seasonings to find your favorite flavor combination.
– Make sure to remove any excess moisture from the shredded potatoes to ensure that your tater tots are crispy and not mushy.
– If you want to make your tater tots healthier, try baking them instead of frying. Simply place them on a baking sheet and bake in the oven at 400°F for 20-25 minutes or until crispy and golden brown.

10 Easy Steps to Make Homemade Tater Tots

Now that you have gathered all the ingredients and equipment, it’s time to get started with making delicious homemade tater tots. Follow these easy steps to ensure you get perfect tater tots every time.

1. Preheat your Air fryer or oven: Before you start preparing the tater tots, you need to preheat the air fryer or oven to the desired temperature depending on the directions of your particular appliance. Usually, 400°F is ideal for cooking tater tots.

2. Grate your Potatoes: Now it’s time to grate the potatoes. Use a hand grater or a food processor fitted with a shredding blade to shred the potatoes into small pieces.

3. Remove the Excess Moisture: After shredding the potatoes, you need to remove the excess moisture from them. Place the shredded potatoes in a clean kitchen towel and squeeze out as much moisture as possible.

4. Mix the Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, combine the shredded potatoes with beaten egg, onion powder, garlic powder, salt and pepper, and a tablespoon of all-purpose flour. Mix all the ingredients together until well-combined.

5. Form the Tater Tots: Using your hands, shape the potato mixture into small cylindrical shapes (about an inch long and a half inch wide).

6. Coat the Tater Tots: In a separate bowl, mix together panko breadcrumbs and grated Parmesan cheese. Dip each tater tot in the breadcrumb mixture and coat it well.

7. Place the Tater Tots in the Air Fryer or Oven: Once you have coated the tater tots with the breadcrumbs, it’s time to put them in the air fryer basket or on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.

8. Cook the Tater Tots: Cook the tater tots in the preheated air fryer or oven according to the instructions for your appliance. Generally, it takes about 10-12 minutes to cook in an air fryer and 15-20 minutes in the oven, or until they turn golden brown.

9. Serve Hot: Once the tater tots are nice and crispy, remove them from the air fryer or oven and let them cool for a minute. Serve them hot with your favorite dipping sauce, or as a side dish.

10. Store the Tater Tots: If you have any leftovers, store them in an airtight container for up to 2-3 days in the refrigerator. Reheat in the oven or air fryer for best results.

That’s it! Following these simple steps will help you make delicious and crispy homemade tater tots that will be loved by everyone. Enjoy your tasty homemade tater tots with your family and friends.

Ingredients needed

Making homemade tater tots is incredibly easy, and the best part is that you can customize it according to your taste. All you need are the following ingredients:

Ingredients Amounts
Potatoes 6 big potatoes
All-purpose flour 1/2 cup
Parmesan cheese 1/2 cup
Paprika 1 tsp
Garlic powder 1 tsp
Egg 1 large egg
Salt and pepper To taste
Vegetable oil For frying

All of these ingredients can be easily found in your nearest grocery store.

The Procedure

Making homemade tater tots might seem intimidating at first, but it’s incredibly easy to make. Follow these procedures to make the perfect tater tots:

Step 1: Peel and grate the potatoes

Start by peeling the potatoes and grating them through a box grater or using the grating attachment of your food processor. Once done, take a cheesecloth or a kitchen towel and wrap the grated potatoes. Squeeze them over a bowl to remove the excess water.

Step 2: Add the dry ingredients

In a large bowl, mix in the grated potatoes, all-purpose flour, Parmesan cheese, paprika, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Beat the egg and add it to the mixture. Stir everything together until it is well-combined.

Step 3: Form them into tots

Now it’s time to form the tater tots. Scoop out a tablespoon of the mixture and roll it into a cylindrical shape. Place it on a tray and repeat the process until all the mixture is used up. Freeze for a few hours or until frozen solid.

Step 4: Fry the tater tots

Heat up vegetable oil in a deep pan or a deep fryer. Once the oil is hot enough, carefully drop in the tater tots and make sure they are fully submerged. Fry until they turn golden brown, for about 3-4 minutes.

Step 5: Serve and enjoy

Using a slotted spoon, remove the tater tots from the oil and place them on a paper towel to remove any excess oil. Sprinkle with some extra salt and serve with your favorite dipping sauce. Enjoy the crispy and delicious homemade tater tots!

Thanks for stopping by!

Now that you know how to make homemade tater tots, impress your friends and family with this ultimate comfort food. Feel free to experiment with different seasonings and dipping sauces to make it your own. Don’t forget to come back for more easy and fun recipes. Until then, happy cooking!