21 Ways Your Family Will Love Eating Tater Tots
If there’s one food you can usually guarantee your kids will love, it’s tater tots. The simple, deep-fried grated potatoes are super easy and great to have on hand when it seems like nothing else will make picky eaters happy, but for us adults, they can get pretty boring and bland. Other than giving up and making separate meals for the kiddos and the grown-ups, do you know the best solution? Transforming the tater tots themselves! Buzzfeed recently opened our eyes to all the different ways you can dress-up the frozen – or fresh! – go-to, and we realized we’ve actually been collecting tons of tater tot recipes for a while now. Here are our absolute favorites. Pick one and give it a try tonight!
- Tater Tot Grilled Cheese
One of the best ways to use tater tots? In place of bread in your favorite sandwiches— and what sandwich could be more perfect for the experiment than grilled cheese? The tots are the perfect pairing for the jalapeños and bacon in this recipe. - Chorizo y Papas Grilled Cheese
Miss the bread in the grilled cheese but still intrigued by adding some tots? Try this version made with ground chorizo, sautéed onions, habanero cheddar and American cheese. - Tater Tot Nachos
Who says nachos have to be made on chips and not tots? After all, they’re both potatoes, and we’d even argue that with their warmth and fuller size, tots are an even better choice! These nachos are loaded up with guacamole, bacon and cheese for a dish that’ll please everybody. - Buffalo Chicken Tater Tot Nachos
Another great nacho option? These ones, that are also like a tater tot take on buffalo chicken wings! - Totchos Salad
They took the idea of tater tot nachos, combined it with tacos, and called it a salad— and it looks so tasty, we’re not even mad. - Cheeseburger-Stuffed Tater Tots
Tater tot culinary creativity isn’t limited to using the tots to make other dishes. The tots themselves can be exciting, like these delicious appetizer alternatives that feature a classic homemade tot mixture wrapped and fried around cheeseburger! - Tater Tot Burgers
Or perhaps you prefer those tots transformed into the “burger” itself? Then this recipe – which tops them with Sriracha sour cream! – is for you. - Totchos Supreme Burger
Or maybe you’d simply like to top a regular beef burger with some tater tot nachos? Don’t worry; we won’t judge. - Sweet Potato and Bacon Tots
An even easier way to make your tater tots more special while still enjoying them as, well, tots? Use sweet potatoes to make them! They’re so good, the bacon in this recipe is just a bonus. - Tater Tot Casserole
Want a tried-and-true way to dress-up tater tots? A casserole! Try this classic, comfort food version . . . - Cheesy Chicken Ranch Tater Tot Casserole
. . . or get a little more adventurous and try this chicken ranch version you can make in your slow cooker! - Zucchini Tater Tots
Sometimes the best way to have fun with tater tots is to make them with more than just “taters.” This recipe adds zucchini for an extra kick of healthy . . . - Vegetable Tots
. . . while this one uses cauliflower and broccoli! - DIY Basic Tots
These tots might not be exciting, but you know what is? Making your own and knowing EXACTLY what’s in them, and keeping them preservative-free. - Loaded Baked Tater Tot Dip
Everything you love about loaded baked potatoes, turned into an easy-to-make dip that takes only five minutes to prepare. - Tater Tot Mac ‘n’ Cheese
The best part about this idea? You can do it to ANY macaroni-and-cheese recipe. Just throw some parbaked tots on top of your favorite. - Bacon Jalapeño Poppers
The only thing that could overshadow the bacon added to these jalapeño poppers? A cheesy crust made out of tater tots. - Super Sonic Breakfast Burrito
This copycat recipe is packed full of flavor for a totally satisfying, super-powered start to your day. - Tater Tot Breakfast Pizza
Another great way to shake up a tater-tot-based breakfast? Breakfast PIZZA made with eggs, cheese, and two types of bacon. - Barbecue Bacon-Wrapped Tater Tots
These simple, easy appetizers will be the hit of your next party. They’re especially perfect for Game Day get-togethers! - Sweet-and-Salty Bacon-Wrapped Tater Tots
And if you’re not a fan of barbecue sauce, try this sweet-and-salty version made with brown sugar!
The best thing about this round-up of tater tot recipes? They’re only the beginning. Check out Buzzfeed’s list for even more ideas to transform those tots!