Learn how to make Tater Tots at home - easy to make and loaded with amazing taste. Seasoned with garlic & onion powder, salt & pepper they come out crispy on the outside and soft and creamy on the inside.This recipe includes both air fryer and oven instructions.
Boil the potatoes for 8 minutes, then pour off the water and set the potatoes aside to cool for at least 15 minutes
4 medium-sized potatoes
Grate the potatoes.
Mix together corn starch, garlic powder, onion powder, salt and pepper in a small bowl.
½ tablespoon corn starch, ½ teaspoon garlic powder, ½ teaspoon onion powder, ½ teaspoon fine table salt, ⅛ teaspoon fine ground black pepper
Place grated potatoes and the mixed seasoning in a bowl and mix together. Use your hands and knead it like a dough for about 1 minute. When it holds together and resembles a dough, it's done.
Divide the dough into 25 parts and create tots by grabbing a piece of dough and squeezing it gently in your hand. Use a tiny bit of water on your fingers to avoid the dough sticking to them. Repeat until you've made all the tots. Meanwhile, preheat the air fryer to 400°F (200°C).
Place the tots in a bowl and pour over the oil. Mix gently to avoid breaking apart the tots.
2 teaspoon vegetable oil
Air Fryer Instructions
Place tots in a single layer in the air fryer basket and air fry at 400°F (200°C) for 15 minutes. Remove the basket every 5 minutes and shake gently to turn them.
Serve immediately with your favorite dipping sauce!
Oven Instructions
Place on a baking sheet lined with aluminium foil and bake in a preheated oven for 20 minutes at 400°F (200°C), turning them carefully halfway.
Place on a paper towel to soak up any excess oil, then serve!
Video
Notes
2 servings of this recipe makes 25 tater tots.
Ingredient notes & substitutions
Potatoes - any kind works, but Yukon Gold, Russet and King Edward make the best tots in my opinion
Vegetable oil - any neutral variety works great, I always use rapeseed oil
Corn starch can be swapped for potato starch
Seasonings can be adjusted to suit your taste - for example, you can double the amount of black pepper for a more peppery version
Tips & tricks
You don't have to peel the potatoes first - the skin will come off easily when you grate them
To quickly cook the potatoes - cut them in smaller pieces and microwave for 2 minutes
You can use a food processor to grate potatoes and mix with the seasoning
Make the tots pretty even in size to help them cook evenly
Dip your fingers in cold water before making the tots, to avoid the dough sticking to them. Repeat when the dough starts sticking again.
Air fry in a single layer for an even cook. I have a small air fryer where 2 servings of this recipe fits perfectly in one layer, but if you want to double the recipe you might need to fry them in batches.
You can also bake them in the oven: place on a baking sheet lined with aluminium foil and bake for 20 minutes at 400°F (200°C). Carefully turn them after 10 minutes.
Serve them immediately as they will loose their crisp quickly
Store leftovers in the fridge in an airtight container for up to 4 days
Heat leftovers in the air fryer for 5 minutes at 350°F (180°C) (shake once halfway) or fry them in some butter in a pan
Freeze leftovers to keep them for up to 3 months
If you want to freeze the whole batch bake them for just 6-8 minutes per side, then freeze them individually before placing in plastic bags in the freezer