Bacon and Cheese Tater Tots (Print Version)
Crispy potato tots packed with bacon and cheese. Enjoy savory bites hot with your favorite dipping sauce.
# Ingredients:
→ Main
01 -
2 pounds russet potatoes
02 -
6 ounces cheddar cheese, grated
03 -
4 slices thick-cut bacon
04 -
1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
05 -
1 teaspoon salt
06 -
1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
07 -
Vegetable oil, for deep frying
# Steps:
01 -
Place potatoes in a large pot, cover with water, and bring to a boil. Simmer until just tender but still slightly firm, about 18–22 minutes. Alternatively, bake potatoes in a 400°F oven until just soft. Drain and allow to cool to room temperature.
02 -
In a skillet over medium heat, cook bacon until crisp. Transfer to a paper towel-lined plate. Allow to cool, then finely chop.
03 -
Peel cooled potatoes and grate into a large bowl. Add grated cheddar cheese, chopped bacon, flour, salt, and black pepper. Mix thoroughly until ingredients are evenly distributed.
04 -
Portion heaping tablespoons of mixture and shape each into classic tot cylinders. Arrange formed tots on a tray in a single layer. Place in the freezer for 15 minutes to firm.
05 -
Heat vegetable oil in a deep pot to 360–375°F. Lightly dust tots with additional flour. Fry in small batches for 3–4 minutes, turning occasionally, until golden and crisp. Do not crowd the pan.
06 -
Transfer fried tots to a paper towel-lined tray to remove excess oil. Serve hot with a preferred dipping sauce.
# Notes:
01 -
For best results, use russet potatoes for their fluffy texture, and avoid overcooking to retain structure when grating.