The Best Homemade Tater Tots

Enjoy less grease and more flavor with these homemade tater tots!

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Do you know the history behind tater tots? It’s actually pretty fascinating. A guy named F. Nephi Grigg and his brother Gold Grigg invented them in order to reduce food waste. They’d take leftover potato scraps and compact them into these little nuggets that many of us have come to know and love. My homemade tater tots is a flavor-packed homage to this childhood favorite that I think you’ll enjoy.

On their own, potatoes are fairly bland starch. However, with the right amount of seasoning, potatoes are a catalyst for flavor. With this tater tot recipe, I use a blend of garlic powder, sharp white cheddar cheese, and a couple of tablespoons of chives for a salty and savory snack that’s nearly impossible to put down. These three ingredients are key to making these homemade tater tots irresistible. By the way, If you’re craving a sweeter tot, check out my sweet potato taters.

Are Homemade Tater Tots Healthy?

Tater tots from your local greasy spoon are far from healthy due to all the oil they use to make them. However, this recipe only calls for 2 tablespoons of olive oil, which is loaded with healthy monounsaturated fats. And instead of deep frying, I turn my oven up to a higher heat to get that crispy texture we all crave in our tater tots.

Now, are potatoes themselves healthy? Russet potatoes contain a multitude of vitamins such as C, and several Bs, along with several minerals. Sure, there are healthier starches out there, but these baked tater tots aren’t lacking in the nutrition department. There’s not much I’d swap to make the tater tots healthier, though I suppose you could reduce the amount of cheese if you’re worried about the fat content. Personally, I’d just leave the recipe as is and be mindful of my portions.

Keeping it sharp With Cheddar and Chives

I want to pause and tell you how amazing sharp white cheddar and chives are in this recipe. I like to use both of these ingredients in many different dishes, from mashed potatoes to omelets. So I figured, why not use them in tater tots, too?

You could use a mild or even regular cheddar cheese for these tots for a creamier taste, but the sharp cheddar introduces a tangy depth of flavor you don’t typically find in tots. Also, I think the sharpness pairs so deliciously well with the tots’ crisp exterior. It’s a robust yet crowd pleasing taste. Meanwhile, the fresh chives give these tots a mild onion, almost garlicky flavor, which is why cheese and chives pair so perfectly in recipes. And don’t worry—if you can’t find fresh chives at the grocery store, dried chives are a fine substitute. But whatever you do, don’t leave either of these ingredients out of your tots!

INGREDIENTS

2 tablespoons olive oil
1 ½ pounds organic russet potatoes peeled and cut into 1-inch chunks
3/4 teaspoon fine sea salt plus more for finishing
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder or onion powder
1 tablespoon arrowroot powder you can also use cornstarch
1 ounce organic sharp white cheddar cheese finely grated
2 tablespoons finely chopped fresh chives
Freshly cracked black pepper to taste

INSTRUCTIONS

Prep

Heat oven to 425 degrees F, oil a baking sheet, and soften potato chunks in the microwave. Let cool.

Mix

Pulse potatoes in a food processor, transfer to a bowl and mix in seasonings.

Shape & Bake

Form small cylinders, arrange on sheet, brush with oil, and bake until golden brown.

Garnish

Sprinkle with sea salt, cool, garnish with chives, and serve with dipping sauce.

Devour!

FAQs & Tips

How to Make Ahead and Store?

These tater tots can be made ahead of time and stored in the fridge for up to 3 days before they start losing their freshness. You can use a container or a casserole dish with a lid. I found that they freeze well, too—up to 3 months! As always, use a freezer-safe bag or container.

I’m out of Parchment Paper. Can I put the tots right on the baking sheet?

Parchment paper makes it easier to turn the tater tots halfway through the baking process, but if you’re out, you’re out! You can definitely put the tots directly on the baking sheet. However, you’ll need to brush or spray a generous amount of oil on the pan to prevent it from sticking. Another thing worth noting is that parchment paper does create a slightly better texture on the tots in my opinion. If you’re fussy about stuff like that (like I am), you may want to run to Target quickly for another parchment paper!

Do Tots taste similar to French Fries?

Not really. Tater tots have a very different texture due to their shape and how they’re cut. Also, the inclusion of arrowroot powder gives them a different consistency.

My tater tots aren’t crispy Enough.

You may have overcrowded your baking sheet. Sometimes, I like to spread my tots out on two baking sheets to ensure they achieve optimal crispness. You could also try using a cooking spray; this should help them crisp up faster.

Serving Suggestions

Tater tots are a tasty French fry alternative, so I like to serve them with typical fry-pairing meals like burgers and veggie burgers. Look, I get that tater tots aren’t fancy, but feel free to serve it as a side with your favorite steak. Even seafood dishes like ahi tuna or sauteed shrimp go with these tots. And if you’re getting bored of dipping your tots in ketchup, check out my onion ring sauce. Yeah, it’s for onion rings, but you know what? It tastes delish on tater tots, too!