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With the end of summer comes an abundance of fresh zucchini. Try thisCheesy Zucchini Tater Tots Recipe and that zucchini will be gone in no time! Cheese, zucchini and potatoes fried up into homemade tater tots.
I am proud to be partnering withThrive® Algae Oilto bring you this tasty recipe!As always, all opinions are 100% my own.
ThisCheesy Zucchini Tater Tots Recipe is the ultimate! You get to eat your tater tots but they are mostly zucchini. These tots have enough potato inside to be like our favorite snack but also have that fresh zucchini and shredded cheddar cheese. Zucchini Tater Tots are quite easy to make. Just shred the zucchini and potatoes, mix ingredients, coat with breading and fry until golden.
I useThrive® Algae Oil to get perfectly golden brown fried tots.Thrive® Algae Oil has a mild, delicate flavor and smell. It is perfect for frying because ithas a crazy high smoke point of 485°! And, Thrive® Algae Oil is sustainable. Their mission is to create an oil that is better for people and the planet.
I use a large stand up grater to shred the zucchini and potatoes. Transfer to a cutting board lined with paper towels, place more paper towels on top and press down firmly to absorb any moisture. The dryer you get your shreds, the better.
Once you’ve shredded and dried your zucchini it is smooth sailing. Mix with the other ingredients and form into tater tot shapes.
When I began testing this recipe it was for a fritter patty shape. I played around with several different shapes and decided the tots were much tastier. They have the perfect amount of crisp outer crust with a soft and chewy inside. Plus, tots are so dippable and fun to eat!
Form into tots then roll in breading. I do this before I begin frying so that I am not trying to do too much at once. You don’t want to be distracted and burn your tots.
Once the tots are fried, transfer to a plate lined with paper towels. Sprinkle with fresh parsley and lemon zest. Serve with ketchup, ranch dressing, your favorite dipping sauce or this Creamy Cajun Dip.
Get to dippin’ and dig in!
These tots are the perfect family snack and a great way to use up those extra zucchini!
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Cheesy Zucchini Tater Tots
Ingredients
Tots
- 1 Cup Peeled, 1-2 potatoes, Shredded White Potato
- 2 Cups Shredded Zucchini, 1-2 zucchini
- 1 Cup Shredded Cheddar Cheese
- 2 Large Eggs - lightly beaten
- Small Pinch Salt/Pepper
- 3 Tablespoons Flour
- 3 Tablespoons Panko Bread Crumbs
- 1 teaspoon Garlic Powder
Breading
- 1/2 Cup Flour
- 1/2 Cup Panko Bread Crumbs
- Pinch Salt/Pepper
- 3/4 Cup Thrive® Algae Oil for frying
Instructions
Tots
- Use a large stand up grater to shred the zucchini and potatoes. Transfer to a cutting board lined with paper towels, place more paper towels on top and press down firmly to absorb any moisture. Transfer to large bowl then add shredded cheese and eggs. Stir gently until evenly coated with egg.
- Mix salt, pepper, flour, panko and garlic powder. Gradually add dry ingredients to zucchini mixture while stirring.
- Mix breading ingredients in a shallow dish.
- Form zucchini mixture into tater tot shapes. (This recipe will make approximately 20 tots depending on size) Roll each tot in breading mixture until lightly coated. Transfer to cutting board or platter.
- In large cast iron skillet, heat oil over medium for 5 minutes. Drop a small piece of zucchini in oil, once it gets a good sizzle the oil is ready.
- Fry tots in two batches so the pan does not get over crowded. Fry and rotate tots in oil until all sides are golden brown. Transfer fried tots to a plate lined with paper towels.
- Serve topped with fresh parsley and lemon zest.
- To make the Cajun Dip; mix sour cream, Cajun spice, lemon zest, hot sauce and worcestershire sauce to desired flavor and consistency.
Notes
These tots reheat well. Just wrap in foil and bake at 400°F for about 10 minutes.
If you prefer oven baked tots instead of fried, place prepared tots on baking sheet sprayed with nonstick then bake at 400°F for 25 minutes. Flip half way through.
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FAQs
A slightly longer cook time makes the most delicious difference in both the taste and texture of tater tots. A longer cook time will cause the tots to shrink and dry out a little, which makes them even crispier all around on the outside with a potato-y center that's more dense and creamy.
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.
Should I thaw tater tots before baking? ›
Tater tots are so easy to bake and you don't need to thaw them before baking! I use frozen tater tots to make this casserole and since they're mixed through the sauce as well as used to top the casserole you want to make sure they are frozen so they don't over bake.
What makes tater tots stick together? ›
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.
How do you fry tater tots without them falling apart? ›
Wait a few seconds after you put the items in the oil and take a metal spoon and separate any that are stuck together. It's important to do this early in the frying process. This gives the food a chance to “heal" as it cooks. If you delay, the food will meld together and you will end up with tater clumps.
Should you salt tater tots before or after cooking? ›
Carefully place the tots in oil heated to 350-375 degrees, making sure not to crowd the cooking vessel. Cook for about 4 minutes or until golden brown. Place newly-cooked tots on a paper towel; using a baking sheet with a paper towel is a good way to do this. Sprinkle with salt while still hot.
Should you flip tater tots in the oven? ›
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.
Why is my Tater Tot casserole soggy? ›
Excess Moisture: Not cooking down the onions or using frozen tater tots may cause extra moisture to be released as it cooks, making the casserole soggy.
How do you make store-bought tater tots better? ›
To make those frozen tots as tasty as possible, always preheat your oven or air fryer before cooking them — this ensures maximum crispiness. Load up on seasonings — salt and pepper, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, and a dash of cayenne.
How to keep tater tots crispy for a party? ›
If you're cooking for more than one serving size worth of tater tots but want to keep them warm while the next batch student is cooking, a good trick will be to keep them in the oven at a temperature of 200°F. They'll remain crispy and delicious until they're all cooked.
Black spots in potatoes are mostly attributed to internal bruises or the result of sugar concentrations brought on by any of several pre or post-harvest conditions and are generally harmless.
Why are my homemade tater tots falling apart? ›
Make sure you're tossing the basket gently to prevent the tater tots from falling apart. If you toss the basket too roughly while the tater tots are halfway cooked, they might start to break apart.
What were tater tots originally called? ›
From tater treats to imi-taters
Nephi Grigg of Ore-Ida in 1953 as a way to use excess potato shavings that came from making frozen french fries. Originally, the shavings were sold as livestock feed. The term “tater tot” is a proprietary name owned by Ore-Ida.
What to season tater tots with? ›
In a small bowl, thoroughly combine garlic powder, chili powder, oregano, cumin, salt and pepper. Pour the spice mix over the Tater Tots, and toss gently to coat with seasonings. Arrange coated Tater Tots on baking sheet in a single layer. Bake 15 to 20 minutes or until lightly browned.
Are crispy crowns the same as tater tots? ›
No, crispy crowns are different than tater tots. Crispy crowns are made from real potatoes that have been shredded and formed into a patty shape, while tater tots are usually made from mashed potatoes mixed with other ingredients.
Should you deep fry tater tots? ›
While they are delicious when baked, there's something truly special about the indulgent crunch of a deep-fried tater tot. If you're ready to take your tater tot game to the next level, here's a simple guide on how to deep fry tater tots to perfection.
