Introduction: Homemade Tater Tots
Tater tots are a favorite snack food that can be enjoyed on their own or as a side dish with burgers or hot dogs. While it’s easy to pick up a bag of frozen tater tots at the grocery store, making your own homemade version can be a fun and satisfying project. By following a few simple steps, you can create crispy, delicious tater tots from scratch.
Gather Ingredients and Equipment
Before you begin making your homemade tater tots, you’ll need to gather the necessary ingredients and equipment. You’ll need potatoes (russet or Yukon gold work well), all-purpose flour, salt, pepper, and any other seasonings you like (such as garlic powder, onion powder, or paprika). You’ll also need a grater, a clean towel or cheesecloth, a mixing bowl, and a deep fryer or heavy-bottomed pot for frying.
Peel and Grate the Potatoes
The first step in making tater tots is to peel and grate the potatoes. Use a box grater or food processor to grate the potatoes into small, uniform shreds. Once you’ve grated all the potatoes, transfer them to a clean towel or cheesecloth and squeeze out as much moisture as possible. This will help ensure that your tater tots are crispy and not soggy.
Squeeze Out Excess Moisture
After grating the potatoes, you’ll need to squeeze out any excess moisture. This can be done by wrapping the grated potatoes in a clean towel or cheesecloth and squeezing them over a sink or bowl. You’ll be surprised by how much liquid comes out! Removing this moisture is important because it will help your tater tots cook evenly and get crispy in the fryer.
Mix in Seasonings and Flour
Once you’ve squeezed out the excess moisture, it’s time to mix in the seasonings and flour. Add salt, pepper, and any other seasonings you like to the grated potatoes, and then mix in the flour. The flour will help bind the tater tots together and give them a crispy exterior when fried.
Form Tater Tots by Hand or with a Press
After mixing in the seasonings and flour, it’s time to form the tater tots. You can do this by hand or with a tater tot press. If forming them by hand, simply take a small amount of the potato mixture and roll it into a small cylinder shape. If using a press, follow the manufacturer’s instructions to press the mixture into tater tot shapes.
Freeze Tater Tots for At Least 30 Minutes
Before frying the tater tots, it’s important to freeze them for at least 30 minutes. This will help them hold their shape and prevent them from falling apart in the fryer. Place the tater tots on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and put them in the freezer until they’re firm.
Heat Oil for Frying
When you’re ready to fry the tater tots, heat oil in a deep fryer or heavy-bottomed pot to 375°F. Use enough oil to fully submerge the tater tots.
Fry Tater Tots until Golden Brown
Once the oil is hot, carefully add the tater tots to the fryer or pot. Fry them until they’re golden brown and crispy, about 2-3 minutes. Be sure not to overcrowd the fryer, as this can cause the tater tots to stick together.
Drain Tater Tots on Paper Towels
After frying, remove the tater tots from the oil with a slotted spoon and place them on a paper towel-lined plate or baking sheet. This will help absorb any excess oil and keep them crispy.
Season with Salt and Serve Hot
Before serving, season the tater tots with salt to taste. Serve them hot and enjoy!
Conclusion: Enjoy Your Homemade Tater Tots
Making homemade tater tots is a fun and easy project that can be enjoyed by the whole family. By following these simple steps, you can create crispy, delicious tater tots that are sure to be a hit. So gather your ingredients and equipment, and get ready to enjoy some homemade tater tots!
