Homemade Tater Tots

Not only are they easy but you can tweak them to your heart’s content. For example, you can add:

• Cheese

• Onion

• Jalapeno

• Habenero

• Cilantro

• Chives

• Ranch dressing mix (the powdered kind)

• Taco seasoning

• Bacon

Tips for Making Homemade Tater Tots

• Use peanut oil unless someone has an allergy.

• Make sure your oil is clean and not rancid.

• Use an electric deep fryer for best results.

• Parboil the potatoes until just barely tender.

• Add additional ingredients sparingly — 1 tablespoon per cup of potatoes is plenty.

• You can use flour, potato starch, or organic cornstarch as a binder. Go easy on it.

• Don’t overcrowd the fryer.

• These freeze very well.

• Serve immediately.

Basic homemade tater tot recipe that is crispy on the outside, light and delicate on the inside. Add bacon, cheese, onion, chives, or jalapenos for variety. (2 tbs total)

Ingredients

• 2 pounds potatoes

• 1/2 tablespoon flour

• 1/2 teaspoon salt

• Pinch of pepper

• 2 tablespoons finely chopped onions

• Oil for frying (I prefer peanut oil)

Instructions

1. Cut the potatoes in fourths and parboil them in a generous amount of water to cover.

2. Allow to cool, at least to the point you can handle them.

3. Grate them on the big holes of your grater.

4. Gently place them in a bowl.

5. Add the flour, salt, pepper, and onion and mix gently.

6. Let stand for about 5 minutes.

7. Heat the oil up to 355-360F

8. Use 1 1/2 teaspoons potato mixture for each tot.

9. Shape the potato mixture gently until it is in the shape of a tater tot.

10. Fry, a few at a time, in the hot oil just until they are golden brown.

11. Drain on absorbent paper.

#potatoes