I guess I’m a born late riser which always results in a rush at my home in the morning time. Due to my bad ass when I open my eyes most of the people around me are already off to their jobs. But I’m not allowed to afford the luxury of relaxing for the rest of the day on regular basis. But once a while I get those days when I feel like a queen and sip cups full of tea all day long. My simple luxury of life during monsoon. I love to spend those lazy rainy days on my balcony with a pot (not a cup only) of hot tea and some spicy homemade snacks.
Yesterday I was lucky enough to afford this kind of luxury. The Monday blue in my mind and the rain outside extended the ‘thing’ a step ahead. I wasn’t in mood to go to the kitchen but also I had nothing to have with tea. So I thought to make some fresh tater tots which tastes absolutely divine with my spicy tea. Being a lazy bum I had no intention to fry those tater tots by standing hrs in front of the stove top. So I simply baked them. Thus they became healthy with no oil.
For those who has no idea what Tater tots are: Tater tots are fried small cylindrical potato bites which is a hot favorite snack in American cuisine. Traditionally thin grated potatoes are seasoned and shaped in small cylinders and they are deep fried and served, But in this Homemade Baked Tater tots processed seasoned smashed potatoes are shaped & coated with potato chips then baked in oven.
Salt to taste
Hi..tried your recipe today..but it didn't turn out like yours..taste wise it was okay as potato and cheese/butter can never go wrong but the texture was way too soft. I baked for 40 mins but the outer cover was not golden like yours. Is it because I pressure cooked the potatoes instead of baking them in oven?? Am wondering..please help..
Hi Ishani,
I don't think pressure cooked potato is the problem. Use the upper most rack of the oven while baking. These are baked tater tots, don't expect them to be super crisp like deep fried ones. These will have crisp outer skin and very soft filling. Adjust the amount of butter/cheese according to your need. For the crisp outer skin roll the tater tots in crushed potato chips to coat well. You can also use crushed cornflakes or breadcrumbs. If you like them to be extra crisp, brush little oil on them and bake. Thus tater tots will be brown in color too. And don't forget to add chili flakes/chili powder to add the reddish tone. Hope these will help you 🙂 ~Rimli
Hi Rimli,
I will try again this weekend. Earlier I used crushed Lays potato chips for coating, this time I will try using Breadcrumbs. Also earlier I used my convection oven, this time I will try in conventional oven. One more thing I want to ask you is which cheese I should use Cheddar or Mozarella. In the ingredients section you have mentioned Cheddar whereas in the recipe part you have mentioned mozarella.
It's a very good idea Absa. Hope you are have good time 🙂
Hi Ishani,
In this recipe I have mentioned cheese is optional. If you are not using butter, use cheddar cheese as replacement of butter. If you want to further enhance the taste, use little bit of mozzarella. This will give you all cheesy flavor.
~Rimli