Recipe: Bacon Wrapped Tater Tots (2024)

FAQs

Why aren't my tater tots getting crispy? ›

You want them crispy, tater tots need to be cooked at a high temperature for this to happen. 375-400F is great, I find 375F the sweet spot to get them crispy but to also cook the inside before the outside burns.

We know that what keeps the Tater Tots stuck together is a combination of two pretty sticky things: moist starches and proteins. The more they come in contact with each other, the stickier they become, and the tighter/gummier the Tater Tots will be.

Cook Tater Tots Longer than the Package Instructions

You'll know the tots are done and ready when they have a deep golden-brown color with an outer crust that looks exceptionally crispy.

In fact, it's recommended to bake them from frozen to ensure they cook evenly and become crispy on the outside. What temperature should I bake frozen tater tots at? Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C) before baking the frozen tater tots. This high temperature will help them become crispy without becoming soggy.

2Drizzle the tops of tater tots with the remaining oil, then bake until golden brown on the bottom, about 12 minutes. 3Carefully flip each tater tot — using two forks helps to wiggle any tots that are more stuck than others — then bake until the second side is golden brown, another 12 to 15 minutes.

To the surprise of absolutely no one, air fryer tater tots are even better than oven-baked. They're ready in way less time, are supremely crispy and delicious, and are by far the best way to mimic deep-fried restaurant tots at home. Here's how to do it.

Important: Once you put the tots in the oil don't move them around until they start to get golden brown. If they are jostled too much before they've had a chance to cook they will fall apart.

Air Frying Frozen Tater Tots

Place the tater tots into the air fryer. You can put them in more than a single layer when they are frozen, but I find they cook better and break apart less when I keep them in a single layer. Air fry on 375℉/190℃ for about 12 minutes or until they are golden brown.

Salt: Omit if the tots have salt added already. You can always salt them when they come out of the oven if needed. Cayenne: These have a mild amount of spice. Increase to ½-3/4 teaspoon to make them spicier.

To prevent tater tots from sticking together while deep frying, it's important to add them to the hot oil in small batches. Overcrowding the fryer can cause the tater tots to clump together, so fry them in batches for the best results.

Does Sonic deep fry their tater tots? ›

The crispy, craveable potato nuggets have a deep-fried crust and lightly salted flavor that makes them downright irresistible. Nobody does tots like Sonic.

In the case of tots, you'll want to pour the frozen tots onto a sheet tray, toss with a bit of olive oil, add a few shakes of seasoned salt, then toss again to coat the tots. Pop 'em in the oven and roast until warm and crispy.

Nutrition Facts

Serving Size: about 8 pieces (2.52 oz.)

Preheat your frying oil to around 350°F (175°C), then carefully place the frozen tots into the hot oil. Fry them for approximately 4-5 minutes or until they turn golden brown. Remember to drain them on paper towels to remove excess oil before serving.

Fry until they're golden brown and crispy, about 3-4 minutes, turning occasionally for even cooking. Remove the tater tots from the oil using a slotted spoon and place them on a plate lined with paper towels to drain any excess oil.

If you overcook them before forming the tots, you'll lose that starchiness and have to use some other binder, such as an egg. (Which you can do. In fact, they did that on the show. And you can, too, if you want to!

Overcrowding: If the tater tots and other ingredients are packed too tightly, they may steam rather than bake, leading to sogginess. Temperature: Cooking at too low a temperature may not allow the casserole to firm up, resulting in a soggy texture.