Cooking frozen tater tots is easy and quick. Depending on the cooking method you choose, you can have tasty tater tots in 10-20 minutes.
To cook in the oven: Preheat the oven to 425°F and spread the frozen tots in a single layer on an ungreased baking sheet. Bake for around 15-20 minutes, flipping them halfway through, or until they’re golden-brown and crispy.
To cook on the stove: Heat a few tablespoons of oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Once the oil is hot, add the frozen tots and sauté for 5-7 minutes, flipping them every few minutes, or until all sides are crisp and golden.
To cook in the air fryer: Place a single layer of tater tots in the air fryer basket, making sure not to overcrowd. Set the temperature to 375-400°F and cook for 10-12 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through.
If desired, you can season the tater tots with your favorite spices and give them a final crispy texture by turning on your oven’s broiler for the last minute of cooking time. Enjoy!
Are tater tots junk food?
Tater tots are often considered junk food because they typically contain a large amount of fat and calories and are made from processed ingredients. They are usually deep-fried and contain refined carbohydrates, like white flour and mashed potatoes.
Moreover, tater tots often contain additives like preservatives. All of these factors contribute to their status as junk food. Generally, most health professionals would not recommend tater tots as part of a nutritionally balanced diet.
However, this doesn’t mean they have to be completely avoided. There are ways to enjoy tater tots while still keeping nutritional balance—such as baking them instead of frying, opting for smaller portions, and adding vegetables to the dish.
Ultimately, it’s important to remember that even so-called “junk food” can be enjoyable in moderation.
How do I make my tater tots crispy?
The most important part of making crispy tater tots is to bake them in the oven. Preheat the oven to 425°F (220°C) and spread the tots out on a baking sheet. Make sure they aren’t touching each other.
Bake the tots for 25-30 minutes, flipping them over halfway through baking. Allow the tots to cool for a few minutes before you serve them. If you want extra crispiness, you can spray the tots with a bit of oil before baking, which will create a golden crust.
You can also place the baking sheet on the top rack for a few extra minutes if needed. Enjoy your crispy tater tots!.
Are tater tots healthy?
No, tater tots are not particularly healthy. They are typically deep-fried and are high in both calories and fat. Even if they are baked, tater tots are still made up of potato which is a simple carbohydrate and therefore high in starch and low in nutrients.
On top of this, they are artificially seasoned and filled with unhealthy additives and preservatives, meaning they should be eaten in moderation.
Where do tater tots originate from?
Tater tots are a classic American snack food that originated in the 1950s. The dish was invented by a company called Ore-Ida when the owners, the Hagman brothers, faced a challenge. They had purchased a large amount of agricultural cut-off potatoes from the region’s farms but had no use for them.
In an attempt to find a way to make a profit from the otherwise useless product, the Hagman brothers chopped and formed the potatoes into the classic Tater Tot shape, plus added seasoning and flash-fried them.
Millions of Americans since then have been enjoying the delicious little morsels of deliciousness, and the dish can now be found in restaurants and grocery stores across the world.
Are there healthy tater tots?
Yes, there are healthy tater tots! There are a variety of homemade and store-bought tater tots that are healthy. Homemade tater tots can be oven-baked to ensure they have a lower fat content than deep-fried tater tots.
Additionally, you can use whole-wheat or cauliflower as the base for a healthier option. Store-bought tater tots may also be healthier depending on the ingredients used. Check the nutrition label for whole food ingredients and a lower fat content.
Additionally, look for tater tots that are oven-baked or made with whole grains. Healthier tater tots may contain more healthy fat from avocados, olive oil, or coconut oil. To make your tater tots even healthier, you can add extra vegetables or other nutrient-rich ingredients such as flax seeds or chia seeds.
What’s healthier fries or tater tots?
It really depends on the type of fries and tater tots that you are choosing, as well as how they are prepared. Both types of potatoes can be deep-fried in unhealthy oils, or baked with healthy oils. Generally speaking, if you are comparing a deep-fried french fry with a tater tots prepared in a similar manner, then the tater tot will be the healthier option because it contains fewer calories.
Another factor in the healthiness of fries and tater tots is the type of potato used. Usually, russet potatoes are used to make french fries which are lower in health benefits than a red or golden potato.
Tater tots are usually made from shredded potatoes, which can vary in health benefits as well.
Overall, when considering fries or tater tots, it is important to look at how they are cooked and the kind of potatoes used. If you prefer the flavor of a fried fries, try opting for a healthier oil like olive or avocado oil.
If you are choosing tater tots, opt for one made with an organic, higher quality potato.
How many calories are in 10 tater tots?
Ten tater tots contain approximately 150 calories. This is based on a standard serving size of 15 tater tots, which contains approximately 230 calories. It is important to check the nutritional information on the product packaging before consumption, as the calorie count can vary between brands and types of tater tots.
Additionally, the calorie count may vary depending on how tater tots are prepared, for example pan-frying or deep-frying will result in a higher calorie count.
What’s the difference between hash browns and tater tots?
Hash browns and tater tots both start from the same base ingredient, potatoes, but are prepared differently. Hash browns are a breakfast food made by shredding potatoes and then either shallow or deep frying them until crispy.
Tater tots, on the other hand, are generally eaten as a side dish or appetizer. They are made by mashing up potatoes, forming them into small cylinders, and then deep frying them.
The other key difference between hash browns and tater tots is in the ingredients used. Hash browns usually just have shredded potatoes, salt, and pepper, but other seasonings can also be added. Tater tots usually contain additional ingredients such as onion, garlic, and spices, as well as other vegetables that are boiled and added to the mashed potatoes.
Can you eat frozen tater tots?
Yes, you can absolutely eat frozen tater tots. Tater tots are arguably one of the most versatile foods out there, as they can be cooked in a variety of ways ranging from baking in the oven to deep-frying or even air-frying.
When it comes to frozen tater tots, the most popular method of cooking them is in the oven. All that you need to do is spread the tots out on a baking tray, ensuring that they are in a single layer and not touching each other, and bake for approximately 25 to 30 minutes at 425°F.
To finish off, you can sprinkle with some salt and pepper, as well as any other spices or herbs that you may have in your pantry. Enjoy!.
Do you thaw tater tots before frying?
Yes, most recipes recommend thawing tater tots before frying. This will ensure that the tots cook all the way through and are nice and crispy. To thaw tater tots, spread the tots on a cookie sheet and place the sheet in the refrigerator overnight, or for about 12 hours.
You can also place the frozen tater tots in a single layer in a pan and thaw them in the refrigerator for about 4 hours. To thaw the tots quickly, microwave in 30-second intervals, stirring often. Once the tots are thawed, you can separate them and spread on a cookie sheet.
The tots are now ready to fry.
Can I put frozen tater tots in an air fryer?
Yes, you can most definitely put frozen tater tots in an air fryer. They will cook up in no time and will come out crisp and delicious. When air frying frozen tater tots, the cooking time should not exceed 10-12 minutes, depending on the size of your air fryer.
To get the best texture and flavor, you’ll want to preheat the air fryer to 400°F. Once the correct temperature has been reached, spread the frozen tater tots in a single layer across the air fryer basket.
Shake the basket midway through the cooking to ensure both sides are being cooked evenly and flip any pieces that may have stuck together. Lastly, once the timer reaches the 10-12 minute mark, check the tater tots to make sure they are fully cooked and golden brown.
If they are not ready, add a few more minutes to the cooking time. Enjoy your crispy and delicious air fried tater tots when done!.