Tater tots are a strange thing. Invented by Ore-Ida in the 1950s to use up the leftover slivers of potato, they became a favorite lunchtime treat. Now they are in bars and eateries everywhere, but they are even better when you make them yourself. These homemade tater tots are naturally dairy-free, gluten-free, and all around allergy-friendly. They’re also far healthier than restaurant tots, so you can enjoy them every week!
These Homemade Tater Tots are Naturally Allergy Friendly
This recipe was originally shared with us by Kathy Hester. It was a side dish and appetizer sample from her cookbook Vegan Cooking in Your Air Fryer. Kathy actually covers all kinds of tater tot goodness in her cookbook, including how to air fry them from frozen and a unique recipe for Indian-Inspired Veggie Tots that are actually potato-free. But we latched on to this basic homemade tater tot recipe, and have recently updated it with oven options, more detailed directions, and I have answers to some FAQs.
Aren’t All Tater Tots Allergy Friendly?
As a reader noted on our Dairy-Free Tater Tot Casserole Recipe, not all store-bought brands of tater tots are dairy-free, and many contain other allergens, like wheat and soy. Plus, they typically contain additives and refined oils. And many tater tot recipes use cheese and/or flour. These homemade tater tots allow you to keep things simple, top allergen free, and safely prepared in your own kitchen.
Can I Use Other Types of Potatoes?
Russet potatoes are the best option for homemade tater tots. They’re the starchiest of the bunch. If needed, you could use yellow or Yukon gold potatoes, but you might need to add more starch. Sweet potatoes could work, but some adjustments might need to be made.
Can I Add Onions or Garlic?
I would add onion powder instead of diced onion. Onion contains less starch than potatoes, so you would likely need to adjust the recipe with more starch to make cohesive tots. But you can sprinkle on onion powder, to taste. I would personally use about 1/2 teaspoon to start. You could toss in a crushed garlic clove or two, but again, I’d probably add 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder instead. You can also add black pepper (1/8 to 1/4 teaspoon) and dried herbs, like parsley or chives, to mix things up.
Can I Add other Vegetables?
Most other vegetables will add more moisture and won’t have enough starch. But we do have a fun Broccoli Cheese Tots Recipe that you can enjoy if you want to mix things up.
Can I Freeze these Homemade Tater Tots?
Yes, just like the store bought ones! Go ahead and cook them, let them cool completely, and then store in a freezer bag in your freezer for up to 2 months. Reheat them in your oven or air fryer for about 5 minutes.
I’d like to Get an Air Fryer. Can You Recommend One?
If you want to reduce the amount of oil you use or prefer small batch cooking, then air frying is a great option. Air fryers are basically small convection ovens that heat up quickly, bake evenly, and create a crispy exterior with minimal to no oil. For small (1 to 2 person) households on a budget, Kathy recommends the 3.7-quart GoWise Air Fryer. For a family of four, the 5.8-quart GoWise Air Fryer offers a better yield. But it’s really easy to batch cook recipes like these homemade tater tots, even if your air fryer is on the smaller side.
Special Diet Notes: Homemade Tater Tots
By ingredients, this recipe is dairy-free / non-dairy, egg-free, gluten-free, grain-free, nut-free, peanut-free, soy-free, optionally oil-free, added sugar-free, vegan, plant-based, vegetarian, and top food allergy-friendly.
Homemade Tater Tots
Ingredients
Method
- Cook the potatoes halfway, using your microwave or stove top. If using the microwave, poke holes in the potatoes with a fork and microwave the potatoes on high for about 5 to 7 minutes. If cooking on the stove top, boil the whole potatoes for about 10 minutes. The potatoes will be par cooked when a fork can easily pierce the flesh but meets resistance further in. They should be firm enough to grate.
- Let the potatoes cool for at least 2 hours. I like to cook the potatoes the day before and use them cold from the fridge.
- Preheat your air fryer or small convection oven to 390ºF or your oven to 425ºF (use the convection setting if you have one). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or line your air fryer basket with perforated parchment paper.
- Peel the potatoes and grate them with the large holes of a box grater or with the grating blade of your food processor.
- Add the grated potatoes shreds to a large bowl. Sprinkle on the starch and salt and gently toss to combine.
- Take 1 tablespoon of the potato mixture and put it in the palm of your hand. Place your fingers over the potato mixture and squeeze it into a tube shape. Flatten the ends, then roll it to make it a uniform 1-inch tot. Repeat with the remaining mixture.
- Place the tater tots in your prepared air fryer basket or in a single layer on your prepared baking sheet. If using an air fryer, you will likely need to cook the tater tots in batches. Spray the tots with oil (if using) and toss (in the air fryer basket) or turn (on the baking sheet) to coat.
- Cook the tots for 10 minutes. Shake or flip them and cook for 5 minutes more in the air fryer or small convection oven, or for about 8 to 10 minutes more in a regular oven. They should be lightly golden brown on the outside, and tender in the middle.
- Let your homemade tater tots cool for at least a few minutes before eating. They will be hot on the inside! Serve with ketchup or your favorite fry sauce.
Nutrition
Notes
Tried this recipe?
Let us know how it was!Enjoy these in our Dairy-Free Tater Tot Casserole Recipe!
3 Comments
Can these be batch prepped & frozen? (To the end of step 6). Can’t wait to make them! 🙂
Yes, but I think they will freeze and work best if par-cooked. I would cook them for the initial 10 min, then let cool completely before freezing. When ready to eat, do the second half of the cooking – it might take a few minutes more.
Okay, that is super helpful, I will try that! Thank you so much