12 Epic Recipes with Tater Tots. Simply Perfect.
They’re amazing as a solo act, but the mighty Tot becomes a sensation in Recipes with tater tots like nachos, breakfast bakes, and creamy casseroles.
Every time I make a Mexican recipe my family seems to go nuts for it. We love Mexican food and we also just love tater tots. They are always good no matter how I make them.
Today I decided to marry the two. I wanted to make enchiladas but really wanted to spice them up a bit so that we could have something different for dinner. Instead of the tortillas, I used tater tots, and boy was this baked good!
Baked tots with ketchup? Meh. Up your game with these truly outrageous and all-too-easy-to-make ideas.
If you’ve never heard of tater tot casseroles, get ready to have your taste buds rocked! Most Midwesterners are already aware of these mouthwatering dishes, but if you’re unfamiliar, all you have to know about these quirky, potato-based dishes is that they are just as delicious and hearty as their name makes them sound.
Think hash browns but with a surprising, out-of-the-ordinary twist. Plus, not only do tater tot casseroles incorporate everyone’s favorite freezer-friendly potato staple into a decadent breakfast casserole, but they can also be customized with add-ons and substitutions to fit the needs of your family. Vegetarian? We’ve got a recipe for that. Love bacon and sausage? We’ve got you covered there as well. Big fan of cheese? You’re in the right place!
What’s more, if you happen to be hosting guests anytime soon and are looking for a fabulous brunch recipe, there’s really no better (or tastier) conversation starter than one of these casserole recipes. Each and everyone will get your guests “ooh” -ing and “aah” -ing from the first to the last bite. Word to the wise: Be sure to make enough to go around—and then some. When it comes to tater tot casseroles, “leftovers” isn’t a word you’ll hear often!
Tater tots are near-perfect food. The way the savory, shatter-crisp exterior yields a soft inside is irresistible, as is the deep-fried potato flavor. While they’re perfectly tasty on their own or dunked into the dipping sauce, the little nuggets can also easily be incorporated into other recipes with tater tots too, especially if you have a few bags in your freezer you’re looking to get rid of.
Think casseroles, waffles, and tater tot nachos, of course, and even frittatas. Read on to find out how to execute those ideas and more, compiled from our recipes with tater tots.
They’re crunchy on the outside, and pillowy on the inside, and these nuggets of potato, better known as Tater Tots, are perfect for dipping and enjoying unadulterated. However, they are a versatile ingredient to use in a variety of different dishes, from breakfast entrées to sandwiches and even tatchos (a tater tot-based take on nachos). These recipes with tater tots are as fun as they are delicious. Start with this list of recipes with tater tots we love. Soon, we think, the tots will inspire a lot of creativity.
Remember the time you were tempted to buy that bag of frozen tater tots and totally caved? We’ve all been there, and we all still have the tots sitting in our freezers to prove it. Lucky for you, it doesn’t have to be a complete waste. There are plenty of recipes with tater tots out there that are more than capable of bringing out your inner Napoleon Dynamite. The following recipe hacks (including, breakfast casseroles and savory waffles) are sure to use up that whole bag of tater tots and leave you wanting more.
Turn them into waffles
If you’ve got a waffle iron and a bag of tots, you’re well on your way to ultra-crispy, super-crunchy waffles. Jen Pelka of The Riddler shared several variations with us, including topping combinations like smoked salmon and caviar, prosciutto and mustard, and truffled eggs, too. But if you want something more low-key, a runny fried egg and hot sauce would work nicely, or grated Parmesan and ground black pepper.
Treat them like chips
Just like chips or popcorn, you can add seasonings to tater tots. Cook them first, and then toss them with seasoned salt, or dip packets like onion dip seasoning, barbecue spice, or curry powder. Sesame seeds and nori would be tasty as well. If you go the curry powder route, we’d recommend sprinkling it on almost-done tater tots and then letting them finish together for another minute or two.
For the ultimate high-low snack, you could also take a cue from the classic potato chip, sour cream (or crème fraîche), and caviar pairing and swap in tater tots for the chips.
… Or a baked potato
You can prepare tater tots like baked potatoes. Cook them and smash them, and then, load them with sour cream, scallions, and bacon crumbles.
Switch up your casserole toppings
Casseroles are comforting on their own. Casseroles with tots? Even better. We have one recipe that layers sausage, cheesy creamed spinach, and tater tots into one indulgent meal. Tots also shine as the topping on Andrew Zimmern’s farmhouse turkey hot dish. Hotdish casseroles usually have baked layers of starch, meat (in this case, turkey), vegetables, and typically, canned soup, but here, Zimmern swaps a velouté sauce for the classic condensed mushroom soup.
If you’d prefer breakfast casserole, tater tots can easily be substituted for bread in our bacon, tomato, and cheddar breakfast bake recipe with eggs.
Add ‘em to frittatas
Tater tots would work in many different frittatas, but these classics are a good place to start—cheddar and bacon; mushroom, spinach, and fontina; goat cheese, spinach, and tomato; pimento cheese; leeks and ham; and ham, cheese, and peppers. Cook the tots first (you can even do it in the same skillet), transfer them to a plate, and then, add them to the frittata mixture.
Make “tatchos”
In lieu of chips, “tatchos” use tater tots as the base for all kinds of savory toppings, and you can get creative with what you have on hand. Our recipe from Kay Chun swathes them in a kimchi gravy (kimchi! gravy!), and then, piles on sharp cheddar, chile peppers, cilantro, and more kimchi for an extra kick. You won’t have to wait long to devour them, either—after the tater tots are cooked according to the package instructions, turning them into tatchos only takes another 20 minutes.
Try tot poutine
Poutine is typically prepared with French fries, gravy, and cheese curds, but tots would work. The same idea applies to disco fries, a diner classic made with mozzarella cheese and gravy.
Press ’em into muffin tins and make cups
Tater tots can also be made into “cups” using muffin tins, as a vehicle for other foods (such as egg, bacon, and cheese breakfast cups). You can smash them up and then bake them into a cup shape—if you do this, bake them a little first to warm them up in a controlled environment. Or, place a few tots in each spot in the tin and bake them until warm, smash them with another muffin tin, and continue to bake until crispy.
Best collection of amazing recipes with tater tots.
If you love tater tots as much as I do, you have to check out these Crazy Good recipes with tater tots. From Cheesy Tater Tots and Broccoli Tots to Sweet Potato Tots and even Tater Tot Nachos these recipes with tater tots are to die for. I’m sure you’ll find something delicious the family will love!
Tater Tots
If you haven’t eaten Tater Tots lately, let me refresh your memory: they are delicious. With deeply golden, crispy exteriors that give way to tender, creamy interiors, Tater Tots are not the sort of thing it’s possible to enjoy in moderation. Thanks to today’s lightened-up, homemade, baked recipes with tater tots, now you can feel good piling them onto your plate!
Baked homemade tater tots (especially ones with bacon) are also super fun to make!
Tater Tot Enchilada Bake
Making this casserole is very fun and easy. For the bottom layer, I sauteed the beef and then added the enchilada sauce. I didn’t cook the beef all the way through because it will still bake in the oven for about 15 minutes. I then poured the beef enchilada mixture into the casserole dish lined the tater tots on top and then topped it with a Mexican cheese blend. Then pop it in the oven and cook for about 15 minutes. I garnished it with olives and scallions but they are not mandatory. Then once it’s nice and bubbly and melted-cheesy, pull it out. Top with some green onions or cilantro for extra color.
Best Tater Tot Casserole
Truly the BEST Tater Tot Casserole recipe around! Layers of amazing flavor combine for an easy and delicious dinner any night of the week! This fantastic casserole recipe will quickly become a family favorite! Now, here’s the trick: season every single layer as needed. If you were serving green beans by themselves, you’d season them, right? So do it for the casserole too! I don’t add cheese to the top because I want those tater tots perfectly crisp and crunchy. It’s essential to the overall texture of this casserole. Season the tater tots when the casserole is removed from the oven and get ready to enjoy a delicious dinner!
Loaded Cheesy Tater Tots
The magic of tots + cheese, lots of cheese… There’s something almost magical about Tater Tots. They start from something so plain and ordinary, a potato, and they somehow transform into a crunchy, delicious little morsel.
On top of that, they’re so easy to work with! They cook up in no time, and you can use them in so many ways. You can start with just about any basic potato recipe, substitute in these little gems, and poof you’ve got an instant meal with a special crispy-crunchy kick.
Tater Tot Nachos Supreme
Tater tots are baked until super crispy and then topped with seasoned beef, cheese sauce, salsa, guacamole, sour cream, green onion, and crumbled bacon.
And although I can’t believe I’m actually saying this, you’re probably going to want to go with that prepared cheese sauce you buy from the supermarket for these.
It’s pure junk food heaven. You need to try this recipe.
Tater Tot Burger with Sriracha Sour Cream
I own a deep fryer that has produced more tater tots than all other foods combined. I even created a Tater Tot Cone Holder for use at parties for my Tater Tot Bar with Accompanying Sauces. We all have Ore-Ida, the inventor of tater tots, to thank for the best of all bad foods. And although they make a fabulous version (it is the original after all) I tend to favor the Trader Tots from Trader Joe’s. Either way, turning them into The Best Veggie Patty Of All Time is a great idea. No meat eater on the planet will complain about this meatless burger.
Tater Tot Breakfast Pizza
Breakfast pizza isn’t cold pizza leftover from last night’s dinner. It is quite the opposite. Breakfast pizza is a warm, fresh-from-the-oven pizza filled with all your breakfast food favorites.
Make sure your pizza dough is at room temperature before stretching it out. Cold dough is bad news and results in frustration. Allow the dough ample time to rest and relax to ensure easier shaping. Cold dough is too elastic and will shrink back to its original state. No need to use a rolling pin. I like to drop the dough into an oiled skillet and use my fingers and knuckles to gently push and pull the dough out.
Buffalo Chicken Totchos
Crispy tater tots piled high with buffalo chicken and cheese for a ‘nacho’ experience your friends and family will love. Substitute blue cheese dressing for the ranch if desired.
Nachos are a fan favorite, and when you replace the tortilla chips with tater tots, you have a whole new dish that’s just as perfect. This version tops the tots with buffalo chicken, cheese, and ranch dressing (or blue cheese if you prefer).
Cheeseburger Tater Tot Casserole
Cheeseburger Tater Tot Casserole is everything you need for a cozy winter dinner. Even better, the recipe easily doubles or triples to feed a crowd!
Everything you love about a cheeseburger and fries is here – hamburger, delectable homemade cheese sauce, HEINZ ketchup, mustard, and even dill pickle relish. You can definitely add in a can of diced tomatoes too, but tomatoes really aren’t our thing.
Cheesy Garlic Tater Tot Bake
Imagine cheesy garlic bread—but made out of tater tots. Serve it by the slice, and you won’t be disappointed!
Only made out of tots. Then stop dreaming and start preheating the oven, because you KNOW this needs to happen, ASAP.
A Bundt pan makes these super easy to bake, but you could also use a loaf pan.
Egg-in-a-Nest Tater Tot Cups Recipe
It’s a complete breakfast. all in a single-serving form.
Be a champion at brunch: These cheesy tot-and-egg cups let you and all of your friends enjoy a full egg breakfast, but you only dirty one pan (or, muffin tin, to be accurate).
They are super easy to make, packed with so much flavor and you can use them in countless ways.
Bacon-Tater Tot Kebabs Recipe
Though many people say you don’t need to soak wooden skewers before cooking or grilling with them, we tend to play it safe and soak them in water for 20 minutes before adding on the tots and bacon.
If you love a loaded baked potato, you’re going to lose your mind for these kebabs. Just thread a strip of bacon on a skewer with tots, bake in the oven, and serve with queso, chive-topped sour cream, or whatever dipping sauces you see fit.
For me, tater tots are simply perfect. They are super easy to make, packed with so much flavor and you can use them in countless ways.
12 Epic Recipes with Tater Tots. Simply Perfect.
Reviews
Totally Tasty Tater Tot Triumph!
I stumbled upon a culinary goldmine when I discovered this incredible collection of recipes featuring everyone’s favorite comfort food – tater tots! The variety and creativity showcased in these dishes are nothing short of impressive. From cheesy tot-loaded casseroles to crispy tots transformed into savory breakfast delights, each recipe is a delightful adventure for the taste buds. The easy-to-follow instructions make these culinary creations accessible to all skill levels, and the vibrant images accompanying each recipe are a feast for the eyes. The website’s user-friendly layout ensures a seamless browsing experience, making it a joy to explore the endless possibilities of turning humble tater tots into gourmet masterpieces. Trust me, these recipes will elevate your tot-eating experience to a whole new level of deliciousness!
A Culinary Adventure Worth Taking!
Discovering this treasure trove of mouthwatering tater tot recipes was an absolute delight! The creativity showcased in each recipe is simply inspiring, from cheesy tot-loaded casseroles to crispy tots with a flavorful twist. The easy-to-follow instructions make these recipes accessible to both beginners and seasoned cooks alike. The variety of options ensures there’s a tot dish for every palate, and the vibrant, enticing photos only add to the excitement. Whether you’re a tater tot enthusiast or just looking for a fun and delicious culinary experience, this collection is a must-visit. Prepare to elevate your tot game and embark on a flavorful journey with these delightful recipes!
Tater Tot Extravaganza – A Culinary Adventure That’ll Make Your Taste Buds Dance!
I recently stumbled upon a treasure trove of Tater Tot recipes that has completely elevated my cooking game. The variety and creativity showcased on this website are nothing short of impressive. From classic comfort foods to innovative twists, every recipe is a delightful journey for your palate. The easy-to-follow instructions and vibrant visuals make even the most complex dishes seem approachable. What sets this collection apart is the genuine enthusiasm for Tater Tots, turning them from a simple side dish into the star of the show. Whether you’re a seasoned chef or a kitchen novice, this culinary haven will inspire you to create delicious and unforgettable meals centered around everyone’s favorite crispy potato bites. Cheers to a fantastic resource for Tater Tot enthusiasts!
Totally Tantalizing Tater Tot Creations Delight Taste Buds!
If you’re a fan of the crispy, golden goodness of tater tots, look no further than this fantastic recipe collection. The array of creative and mouthwatering dishes showcased here goes beyond your usual expectations, offering a delightful twist to the classic tater tot experience. From loaded tot nachos to cheesy tot casserole, each recipe is a flavorful adventure waiting to be explored. The easy-to-follow instructions and vibrant images make the cooking process a breeze, ensuring that both seasoned chefs and beginners alike can enjoy these scrumptious creations. Elevate your tater tot game with this diverse and inviting recipe compilation – your taste buds will thank you!