Tater tots are the perfect comfort food, a snack that everyone likes. These bite-sized nuggets of crispy potatoes are great on their own, but they also serve ideally with a variety of dishes.
These potato bites are a classic favorite for both kids and adults alike. There are endless ways to enjoy tater tots, but have you ever wondered what to serve with tater tots to create a perfectly balanced meal?
In this blog post, we’ll share some creative ideas that will jazz up your meal and make it even more delicious. From classic combinations to surprising flavor mashups, we’ve got you covered.
What are tater tots? What do tater tots taste like?
Tater tots are a popular side dish of bite-sized, deep-fried potatoes. They are typically fried after being shredded and formed into small cylinders or discs.
Tater tots have a crispy exterior with a soft interior, making them an enjoyable addition to any meal.
The flavor of tater tots is savory and slightly sweet from the potatoes and seasonings added during their preparation.
Some people also enjoy adding condiments such as ketchup, ranch dressing, or mustard for an extra flavorful kick. With their unique shape and texture, tater tots make for an interesting alternative to traditional French fries or mashed potatoes.
what to serve with tater tots
1. Burgers
It’s no secret that tater tots and burgers are a match made in heaven. Instead of serving fries with your burger, try swapping them out for some crispy tater tots.
The great thing about tater tots is that they’re a little more substantial than fries, so they hold up well against the flavors and textures of a juicy burger. It’s a classic ideal combination that never gets old.
2. Nachos
Who says tater tots can’t be a part of your nachos? In this fun twist on classic nachos, substitute potato chips for tater tots.
Top them with all your favorite nacho toppings, such as cheese, salsa, guac, and sour cream. Throw on some jalapeños and black olives, and you’ve got yourself a party!
3. Breakfast Dishes
Tater tots are not just for lunch and dinner; they’re great for breakfast too! Use tater tots as a base and build a breakfast bowl around them.
Add some scrambled eggs, bacon, sautéed veggies, and a drizzle of hot sauce, and you’ve got yourself a hearty breakfast that will start your day off right.
Explore More: Delicious Side Dishes to Serve with a Breakfast Casserole
4. Mac and Cheese
Mac and cheese is a traditional comfort food, and tater tots fit right in with this dish.
Prepare your mac and cheese as usual, then top it with some crispy tater tots.
The crispy texture of the tots contrasts well with the creaminess of the mac and cheese, making it a satisfying and delicious meal.
5. Salads
Yes, you can even add tater tots to your salads! Use them as croutons in your salad, or toss them in with your greens.
Top it off with some grilled chicken and a homemade dressing, and you’ve got yourself a tasty and hearty salad.
6. Hotdish
This Midwestern classic is a perfect comfort food dish that you can make in a single pot.
Layer tater tots with ground beef, vegetables, and cream soup for a delicious and filling meal. This dish is absolute for a chilly night or a potluck.
7. Pizza
You read that right; you can make pizza with tater tots! Top tater tots with your favorite pizza toppings, such as pepperoni, cheese, and vegetables, for a delicious and unique way to enjoy your favorite pizza flavors. This dish is perfect for pizza night or a snack with friends.
Discover More: What to Serve with Breakfast Pizza
8. Cheeseburger Tater Tot Casserole
Cheeseburger Tater Tot Casserole is a classic dish that combines tasty ground beef, gooey cheese, and crispy tater tots to make a delicious yet easy meal. (Recipe)
A hearty breakfast casserole with some crispy tater tots, bacon, and eggs is another perfect way to start your day.
9. Waffles
A fun and easy way to enjoy tater tots, simply fill your waffle iron with tots and cook until crispy and golden brown.
10. Tater Tot Grilled Cheese
Replace the traditional bread with crispy tater tots for a creative and delicious twist on the classic grilled cheese sandwich.
11. Tater Tot Tacos
A fun and tasty way to enjoy tacos, this recipe swaps out tortillas for crispy tater tots loaded with all your favorite toppings.
What are the best flavors to go with tater tots?
Tater tots are delicious on their own, but adding unique flavors can make them even better.
Some of the best flavor combinations for tater tots include: cheese and chili, bacon and ranch dressing, Italian herbs and Parmesan cheese, garlic butter and Parmesan cheese, barbecue sauce and melted cheddar cheese, and sour cream and chives.
Experimenting with different flavors is a great way to make your tater tots truly stand out!
How do you jazz up tater tots?
One way to jazz up tater tots is by adding a variety of toppings. Some delicious options include shredded cheese, bacon bits, diced onions, sour cream, salsa and jalapenos.
You can also mix in some spices like garlic powder, onion powder, paprika or chili powder for added flavor.
Another option is to add some barbecue sauce or honey mustard for an extra kick of sweetness.
For a real treat, try coating the tater tots with crushed-up chips such as Fritos or Doritos for an irresistible crunch!
Lastly, don’t forget about condiments like ketchup and ranch dressing which are great dipping sauces for tater tots! With these simple tips, you can turn ordinary tater tots into an extraordinary side dish.
How do you display tater tots on a platter?
One of the best ways to display tater tots on a platter is by arranging them into small mounds or piles.
This allows you to create an attractive, visually appealing presentation.
Depending on your choice of order, you can arrange the tater tots in neat rows or even make fun designs with them on your plate!
You can also get creative and add crumbled bacon, shredded cheese, herbs, and other toppings to give your tater-tot platter a unique flavor profile.
To make sure that the tater tots remain crispy after serving them, be sure not to overcrowd the platter so that there is plenty of room for air circulation.
Have fun experimenting with different topping combinations and styles of presentation – it will definitely impress your guests!
5 recipes using frozen tater tots
Are you tired of the same old boring meal ideas? Look no further than your freezer! Frozen tater tots are a versatile ingredient that can be used to create savory and easy meals. Here are five recipe ideas to get your creative juices flowing:
1. Tater Tot Casserole
Layer frozen tater tots, ground beef, and cheese in a baking dish and bake until the tots are crispy and the cheese is softened.
2. Tater Tot Breakfast Bowl
Cook up some bacon, eggs, and onions and toss them with some thawed tater tots. Top with cheese and bake until everything is hot and bubbly.
3. Tater Tot Nachos
Spread frozen tater tots out on a baking sheet and top with chili, cheese, and jalapenos. Bake until the cheese is softened and bubbly.
4. Tater Tot Pizza
Spread pizza sauce on frozen tater tots and top with cheese, pepperoni, and any other pizza toppings you desire. Bake until the cheese is melted and the tots are crispy.
5. Tater Tot Waffles
Heat up your waffle iron and press thawed tater tots in until they are crispy and golden brown. Top with your favorite breakfast toppings, like eggs, bacon, and syrup.
Not only are frozen tater tots a quick and easy ingredient to work with, but they can also be a more affordable substitute to fresh potatoes.
Give these recipe ideas a try and see how versatile and delicious frozen tater tots can be!
Wrap Up
Tater tots are a versatile and delicious ingredient that can be enjoyed in a variety of contexts.
With these creative pairings and recipes, you can take your tater tot game to the next level and impress your family and friends with your culinary skills.
Whether you are in the mood for a savory breakfast, hearty dinner, or creative snack, tater tots have got you covered.
So, what are you waiting for? Get in the kitchen and start exploring the endless possibilities of tater tots!
FAQs
How many tater tots per person?
This varies on the size of the meal you are giving and the appetite of your guests. Generally speaking, it is safe to plan for about 3-5 tater tots per person, depending on what else is being served.
If you are serving a more minimal meal, or if your guests tend to have larger appetites, it may be wise to plan for an extra 1-2 tater tots per person.
Ultimately, you should gauge how many tater tots each guest will likely consume and make sure you have enough. A simple way to be sure that everyone has enough is by having extra tater tots available in case anyone wants seconds!
What sides go with tater tots?
When it comes to pairing sides with tater tots, there are quite a few options to consider.
One classic go-to is ketchup, but if you’re looking to mix things up a bit, try dipping your tots in BBQ sauce or ranch dressing.
Another popular choice is cheese, either melted on top of the tots or served on the side for dipping. For a tip of extra crunch, you could also add some crispy bacon bits or jalapeño slices to your tater tots.
If you’re looking for a heartier meal, try serving your tots alongside a burger or hot dog. And, of course, no tater meal is complete without a cold drink to wash it down – consider pairing your tots with a refreshing soda or iced tea.
What to serve with tater tot casserole?
If you’re wondering what to serve with tater tot casserole, there are plenty of delicious options to choose from.
One classic pairing is a side salad, which can add some fresh greens and a burst of flavor to your meal.
Other popular options include roasted or steamed vegetables, like broccoli or carrots, which can add some healthy nutrients to balance out the richness of the casserole. For a heartier side, consider serving some garlic bread or dinner rolls, which can help soak up any extra sauce and make the meal feel more filling.
And for the ultimate comfort food experience, you can’t go wrong with a side of creamy mashed potatoes.
What to eat with tater tots for breakfast?
When it comes to breakfast, tater tots can make for a delicious and satisfying side dish. But what should you serve them to create a well-rounded meal?
One option is to enjoy them with eggs. Scrambled, fried, or poached eggs all pair well with tater tots. The protein in the eggs will help keep you feeling full and satisfied throughout the morning.
Another egg-based idea is to make a breakfast burrito or breakfast sandwich with tater tots as the filling or side.
If you’re looking for a lighter option or prefer your breakfast on the sweeter side, consider pairing tater tots with fruit.
This can be fresh berries or sliced bananas, or even a fruit salad. The combination of the slightly salty tots with the sweet, refreshing fruit creates a balanced and tasty breakfast.
For those who crave savory flavors in the morning, why not pair tater tots with bacon or sausage? The meaty, salty goodness of the bacon or sausage complements the crispiness of the tots perfectly.
Throw in some cheese and/or vegetables like bell peppers or onions to make a hearty and delicious breakfast skillet.
Finally, don’t be afraid to get creative with your tater tots! Add some avocado and salsa for a Southwest-inspired breakfast, or top them with a dollop of sour cream and chives for a loaded baked potato vibe.
Regardless of how you choose to enjoy them, tater tots can be a versatile and satisfying addition to any breakfast menu.
What tastes good with tater tots?
Tater tots, those crispy and delicious potato bites, are a beloved snack and side dish by many.
But have you ever wondered what other foods pair well with tater tots? Well, wonder no more!
Here are some delicious suggestions to try:
1. Cheese
Tater tots and cheese are a match made in heaven. Whether it’s melted cheddar, gooey nacho cheese, or tangy feta, adding cheese to your tater tots will take them to the next level.
2. Bacon
Who doesn’t love bacon? The salty, smoky flavor of bacon pairs perfectly with the crispy texture of tater tots. Try wrapping your tots in bacon, or sprinkle some bacon bits on top for an extra flavor boost.
3. Ranch dressing
If you’re a fan of dipping sauces, ranch dressing is a great option to pair with tater tots. The cool and creamy flavor of ranch dressing complements the savory taste of the tots.
4. Spicy sauce
If you like a little kick in your food, spicy sauces such as Sriracha or Tabasco can add some heat to your tater tots. Be sure to have a refreshing drink nearby!