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square image of baked tater tots with marinara sauce
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5 from 7 votes

Tater Tots: A Delicious Baked Recipe

Baked tater tots are a delightful potato snack. Learn the simple recipe for this crispy, cheesy treat everyone adores.
Prep Time20 minutes
Cook Time35 minutes
Total Time55 minutes
Course: Appetizer
Cuisine: American
Keyword: baked tater tots, tater tots
Servings: 6 yields 18 to 20 tater tots
Calories: 184kcal
Author: Srividhya G

Ingredients

Measurement Details: 1 cup = 240ml; 1 tbsp = 15ml; 1 tsp = 5ml;

  • 5 small potatoes approx 300 grams
  • 1 tsp onion powder
  • ¼ tsp paprika
  • ¾ tsp salt
  • 2 tsp corn starch
  • ⅓ to ½ cup cheese Mexican blend or cheddar – refer notes
  • 3 tsp oil

Instructions

  • Pressure cook or steam the potatoes using your preferred method. I used my stove-top pressure cooker and cooked them for 3 whistles, then allowed the pressure to release naturally. If using an Instant Pot, pressure-cook for 6 to 7 minutes and allow the pressure to release naturally.
    pressure cooking the potatoes for the tots
  • Remove the potatoes, cut them in half, and let them cool slightly. Then peel the potatoes.
    pressure cooked potatoes cooling
  • Using a fork or potato masher, mash the potatoes well. Add onion powder, paprika, salt, corn starch, and cheese.
    mashed potatoes with all ingredients added
  • Mix everything using your hands until there are no large chunks of potato.
    mixed potato cheese mix for the tater tots
  • Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a baking tray with parchment paper or aluminum foil. If using aluminum foil, grease it generously. Grease your palms with oil. Take a small gooseberry-sized portion of the mixture and shape it into cylinders, spheres, or any shape of your choice. Place the shaped tater tots on the baking tray.
    shaped tater tots
  • Bake for 20 minutes on one side.
    partially baked tater tots
  • After 20 minutes, let them cool for 5–10 minutes so that they firm up and can be flipped easily. Flip them gently. Bake again at 350°F for 15 more minutes, or until they turn crisp. Serve warm with marinara or any simple tomato sauce of your choice.
    fully baked tater tots

Video

Notes

  • Always use parchment paper or generously grease aluminum foil, so flipping is easy.
  • If you are using ⅓ to ½ cup cheese, allow the partially baked tater tots to cool for about 10 minutes before flipping.
  • While hot, the cheese is fully melted, and the bottom surface has not yet dehydrated. If you try to flip them while they are still warm, the base may tear or stick.
  • If you reduce the cheese to ¼ cup, allow the tots to rest for 2–3 minutes before flipping.
  • You can cook the potatoes using any method you prefer: Instant Pot, open pot, or stove-top pressure cooker.
  • Adjust the salt depending on the cheese you use. (I used an organic Mexican blend.)
  • Since I designed this recipe for toddlers, the spices are minimal.
  • I used only a small amount of paprika, but feel free to skip it or replace it with ground pepper.
  • Adults can increase the spice levels. Try adding:
    • chaat masala
    • dried mint
    • shawarma spice mix
    • any seasoning of your choice

Nutrition

Calories: 184kcal | Carbohydrates: 32g | Protein: 5g | Fat: 4g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 2g | Trans Fat: 0.01g | Cholesterol: 6mg | Sodium: 343mg | Potassium: 757mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 107IU | Vitamin C: 35mg | Calcium: 67mg | Iron: 1mg