Homemade Tater Tots (2024)

Skip the freezer aisle and make this tater tot recipe at home. They’re so much more delicious than the store-bought stuff!

How to to Make Tater Tots

You'll find a detailed ingredient list and step-by-step instructions in the recipe below, but let's go over the basics:

Tater Tot Ingredients

These are the simple ingredients you’ll need to make this top-rated tater tot recipe:

Potatoes: Start with two medium russet potatoes.
Parsley: Fresh parsley adds color and flavor.
Flour: All-purpose flour helps hold the tots together and is essential for crispiness.
Seasonings: The tater tots are seasoned with salt, seasoned pepper, and onion powder.
Oil: Peanut oil is perfect for frying homemade tater tots.

How to Make Homemade Tater Tots

Here’s a brief overview of what you can expect when you make homemade tater tots:

Boil, then drain, the potatoes.
Shred the potatoes and drain the excess moisture.
Mix the potatoes with parsley, flour, and seasonings.
Shape the mixture into tots.
Fry the tater tots until they’re golden and crispy.

Test Kitchen Tips

“You can make a lot of tater tots for not a lot of money,” according to culinary producer and test kitchen expert Nicole McLaughlin (a.k.a. NicoleMcMom). Here are some of her favorite tips and tricks for perfect tots every time:

Don’t overcook the potatoes. If you boil them for too long (like if you were making mashed potatoes), they won’t shred easily.
To save time, you can skip boiling and cook the potatoes in the microwave.
If you have a slotted spoon, use it to lower the tots into the hot oil. This will prevent splashing.

What to Serve With Tater Tots

Pair the tater tots with ketchup or your favorite homemade dipping sauce — check out our Best Copycat Sauces From Your Favorite Restaurants for delicious inspiration.

How to Store Tater Tots

Store your leftover tater tots in an airtight container lined with paper towels for up to a week. Reheat in the microwave, oven, or air fryer.

Editorial contributions by Corey Williams