Tater” is short for potato.
Tater tots are grated potatoes formed into small cylinders and deep-fried, often served as a side dish. The name “tater tot” is a registered trademark of the American frozen food company Ore-Ida, but is often used as a generic term. “Tater” is short for potato.
The name “Tater Tot” was created in the 1950s, and soon trademarked, by a member of the Ore-Ida company’s research committee.
The name “Tater Tot” is a registered trademark of Ore-Ida—which has been a subsidiary of Heinz since 1965—but has become so widely associated with the dish that it is often used as a generic term.[
Homemade tater tots / potato tots:
Time : 40-45 minutes
Servings : 6
Ingredients :
- ½ kg potatoes
- 1 tbsp all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- ½ tsp onion powder
- ¼ tsp dried oregano
- ¼ tsp dried dill
- Kosher salt to taste
- 3 pinch pepper
- 1 cup vegetable oil
- 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley leaves
Method :
- Place potatoes in a large pan and cover with cold water by (about 1 inch).
- Bring to a boil and cook until 90% boiled, about 6-7 minutes, drain well and let it cool down.
- Now shred potatoes by using a grater. Drain potatoes completely by using a clean dish towel or cloth as much water as possible.
- Transfer potatoes to a large bowl. Pour flour, garlic powder, onion powder, oregano and dill, and season with salt and pepper, to taste.
The mixture should be dry. Form potatoes into tots (round or oval shape).
- Heat vegetable oil in a large pot for deep fry.
- Add tots into the oil, (5 or 6 at a time), and cook until evenly golden and crispy, (about 3-4) minutes. Transfer to a paper towel-lined plate/tissue paper.
Serve hot with sauce.

Another way to make tater tots is an air fryer.
Those who are health conscious, want to eat crispy snacks and don’t want to consume oil then they can use an air fryer. Your healthy crispy tater tots will be ready in just few minutes.
So, here is the way to make tater tots in air fryer. 👇🏻
TIME : 20-25 Minutes
SERVINGS : 6
Ingredients :
- ½ kg potatoes
- 1 tbsp all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- ½ tsp onion powder
- ¼ tsp dried oregano
- ¼ tsp dried dill
- Kosher salt to taste
- 3 pinch pepper
- 1 cup vegetable oil
- 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley leaves
Process for air frying :

- air fryer.
- Coat the tots with a little cooking spray, like olive oil or vegetable oil. Sprinkle with salt and other ingredients and toss to coat.
- Cook for 15 minutes at 400ºF. Flip them in the basket every 5 minutes or so until crisp and golden or medium brown.
- You can add extra time if you want them more crispier.
Healthy crispy tater tots are ready in just a few minutes in the air fryer.
Loaded tater tots :
–Loaded Tater Tots are the perfect game day appetizer! Little taters are baked with bacon and then covered in ‘ooey gooey’ cheese and go perfectly with a side of salsa and sour cream.
–They only take a few minutes to prepare, allowing you to enjoy the game with your guests.
Time : 25 minutes
Servings : 5
Ingredients :
- 1 bag frozen tater tots
- 2 tbsp ranch dressing
- 2 tbsp sour cream
- 1 cup cheddar cheese (shredded)
- 1 cup Monterey Jack cheese (American white, semi-hard cheese made using cow’s milk)
- 5-6 slices of cooked bacon (diced)
Method :
- Cook tater tots according to directions on the package. Otherwise mix together ranch dressing and sour cream. Keep aside.
- Removed tots from the oven, but keep the oven on. Sprinkle with shredded cheeses, and bacon.
Place back in the oven for 2-3 minutes, or until the cheese is melted.
- Once the cheese has melted, remove from the oven, drizzle with the ranch/sour cream mixture, and serve right hot.
OR
You can air fry the loaded tater tots.
Directions :
- Preheat the air fryer to 400 ° if needed.
- Cook tater tots for 7-9 minutes, shaking or flip once in middle.
- Place cooked tater tots in an air fryer pan.
- Add shredded cheddar cheese, bacon bits, and green onions.
- Turn air fryer to 350° and cook for 1-2 minutes until the cheese is melted.
- Drizzle sour cream on top (optional).

Serve hot and eat.
Cauliflower tater tots :
Time : 30 minutes
Servings : 6
Ingredients :
- Cooking spray
- 4 cuo cauliflower florets, steamed (about ½ large cauliflower)
- 1 egg (lightly beaten)
- 1 cup shredded cheddar
- 1 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- ⅔ cup bread crumbs
- 2 tbsp freshly chopped chives
- Kosher salt to taste
- black pepper powder
- ½ cup ketchup
Method for oven:
- Preheat oven to 375°. Grease a large baking sheet with cooking spray.
- In a food processor, pulse steamed cauliflower until riced. Place riced cauliflower on a clean kitchen towel and squeeze to drain water.
- Transfer cauliflower to a large bowl with egg, cheddar, Parmesan, Panko, and chives and mix until combined. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- take about 1 tbsp mixture and roll it into a tater tot shape with your hands. Place on a prepared baking sheet and bake for 15 to 20 minutes, until tots are golden.
Serve warm cauliflower tater tots with spicy ketchup or sweet sauce.
Procedure for air fryer :
Steps :
- In a food processor, pulse steamed cauliflower until riced. Place riced cauliflower on a clean kitchen towel and squeeze to drain water.
- Transfer cauliflower to a large bowl with egg, cheddar, Parmesan, Panko, and chives and mix until combined. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Spoon about 1 tbsp mixture and roll it into a tater-tot shape with your hands. Working in batches, arrange in basket of air fryer in a single layer and cook at 375° for 10 minutes until tots are golden brown.
- Pour out and place in a serving plate / bowl.
Yummy cauliflower tater tots are ready.

Serve hot with sauce.
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