Homemade Tater Tots

Tater tots aren’t just for eating out! Use leftover mashed potatoes to make these Homemade Tater Tots that just may be better than the fast food version.

Course Side Dish

Cuisine American

Prep Time 20

Cook Time 15

Total Time 35

Servings tater tots

Calories 280kcal

Author Deborah Harroun

Ingredients

3 cups leftover mashed potatoes cold
2 large eggs
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
salt
1 cup panko bread crumbs
neutral cooking oil, for frying

Instructions

In a large bowl, combine the mashed potatoes, eggs, and flour. Season to taste with salt. (If your mashed potatoes weren’t seasoned, make sure to go generous on the salt.) Stir to combine.
3 cups leftover mashed potatoes, 2 large eggs, 1/2 cup all-purpose flour, salt
Place the panko bread crumbs in a bowl. Drop about a tablespoon of the mixture into the crumbs, then roll to coat. Use your hands to shape into a tater tot shape. Place on a plate or baking sheet. Continue with the rest of the potatoes.
1 cup panko bread crumbs
Heat about an inch of oil in a heavy duty skillet over medium heat. (I like to use my cast iron skillet.) Heat the oil to 350ºF.**
neutral cooking oil, for frying
Place the tots in the hot oil in batches, cooking until they are golden brown, flipping often. Remove to a paper towel lined plate and immediately sprinkle with coarse salt.
Continue until all of the tater tots have been cooked.

Notes

*The amount of flour may differ depending on the consistency of your mashed potatoes. If the mixture is way too loose to form into tots once covered in the panko, you may need to add more flour.

**The tots should take about 2-3 minutes to cook. If the oil is too hot, they will cook faster than that. If it is too cool, it will take longer than 3 minutes.

Nutrition information provided as an estimate only. Various brands and products can change the counts. Any nutritional information should be used as a general guide. Nutrition is calculated using plain mashed potatoes. Anything added to the mashed potatoes would alter the calculations. Nutrition has been calculated estimating 1/4 cup of vegetable oil. Temperatures and time fried can alter this amount.

Nutrition