27 Tater Tot Recipes That Will Make You Glad You've Got a Bag in the Freezer

Potato tots are a comforting frozen food that are beloved by kids and adults alike. Whether you pop some in the microwave for a quick and easy side dish or heat them up in the oven and pile them with cheesy toppings for a crowd-pleasing appetizer, these crunchy, golden treats are more versatile than you might think (tot-topped casserole, anyone?). No matter how you prepare them, they’re a breeze to make and sure to be enjoyed.

One of our favorite ways to use them? In this version of tot-chos (tater tot nachos!). Molly borrows flavors inspired by elote, the Mexican street corn that's covered in mayo, chili powder, Cotija and lime to create something new—and just as crave-worthy. The dish is super easy and packed with a ton of bold, vibrant flavors to make each bite even more memorable than the last.

If you love chicken and waffles, you will absolutely swoon over this savory take on the classic dish. Instead of sweet, doughy waffles, this recipe uses frozen tater tots that get pressed into a waffle shape before being drizzled with hot sauce and honey. Top it all off with crispy chicken for an irresistible dish that’s perfect for breakfast, brunch or dinner.

Crispy tot waffles layered with eggs, sausage and cheese make this hearty stack a fun, flavor-packed twist on a classic breakfast.

Smoky, crispy and irresistibly fun, these skewers pair tater tots with smoked salmon and a tangy caper-dill sauce for the ultimate party bite.

This heartwarming dish is a one-pot-wonder—it’s packed with filling ingredients like ground pork shoulder and root vegetables, all of which get topped off with crispy tater tots. The comforting bowl of soul food is full of flavor from ingredients like lemongrass, ginger, kaffir lime and red curry paste. For an extra-crispy topping, be sure to pop this hot dish under the broiler for five minutes before serving.

This recipe takes your game day sliders to the next level by swapping in tater tots instead of classic buns. The result is a crunchy, crispy layer that’s salty and irresistible. Layer them with your favorite sandwich fixin’s and serve with ketchup, mayo or mustard for dipping.

If you have guests staying over, breakfast casserole is the perfect thing to prepare the night before and store in the refrigerator. Pop it in the oven before everyone wakes up—that way your guests wake up to the smell of savory breakfast sausage and melted cheese. This dish gets extra flavor, texture and nutrients from sautéed onions and bell peppers.

Tater tots might seem like a simple ingredient, but the frozen treat is so much more versatile than you might think. This recipe reinvents the potato-based nuggets by mashing them, mixing them with eggs and flour, then reforming the potato shreds into arancini-style balls. Next, the balls get stuffed with mozzarella cheese and rolled in breadcrumbs before being fried until crispy and golden brown.

This traditional Canadian dish usually has French fries piled high with cheese curds and gravy, but we thought swapping in some tater tots in place of the fries would be a fun rendition on the classic. Short ribs make for a meaty addition to the gravy, so this dish is like a full meal all in one plate.

Though you usually see tater tots in their traditional pellet shape, the frozen treat is so much more versatile and can be used in a variety of different ways. In this recipe, pulsing the potato tots in a food processor keeps their crispy texture and turns them into a crunchy topping that gets sprinkled evenly over this family-favorite casserole.

Serving burgers or sliders at a cocktail party can be tough—eating them with your hands means greasy fingers and lots of drips and spills. That’s why we love this recipe that takes the classic flavors and layers them into a serving cup that you can eat with a fork. It’s a fun, inventive way to impress your guests at your next gathering.

This fun dish is cheesy, crispy and meaty, so it’s great for a game day or a tailgate party. Ready in less than an hour, it’s packed with fun ingredients like frozen tater tots, bacon, cheddar cheese and sour cream. Sriracha adds the perfect amount of spice, while fresh chives make a bright and herbal topping.

This family-friendly casserole topped with sweet potato tots is hearty, crowd pleasing and easy to make. It’s a great dish to serve for a cozy, casual fall dinner. The best part? The filling can be prepared a day or two ahead—simply top with the cheese and frozen tots before baking.

These little breakfast bites are perfect for a brunch buffet. First, tater tots get pressed into a muffin tin then baked with a slice of cheddar cheese until crispy. Next, the cups get filled with whisked eggs, sliced tomatoes and more cheese, then baked again until the eggs are cooked through. It’s a perfect breakfast finger food that doesn’t require a knife, fork or even a plate!

Thought waffles were just for breakfast? Think again! These crispy, crunchy waffles are made from pressed tater tots, and they’re topped with savory ingredients like breakfast sausage, harissa and crumbled feta cheese. Top the whole thing off with chopped parsley for extra color and flavor.

If you’re looking for a fun snack to serve at a brunch party or holiday breakfast buffet, these chorizo bites are an easy option. Each piece is layered with flavors from chorizo, eggs, cheese, scallions and tater tots, so they’re savory and cheesy with bright herbal flavor, too. Serve with a bit of ketchup or hot sauce for dipping.

This hearty casserole is almost like a chicken pot pie, but with crispy tater tots on top instead of flaky pie dough. It’s a rustic and home style dish that the whole family will love, so it’s perfect for a kid-friendly weeknight dinner. Crispy tater tots make for a savory topping that get extra golden brown when baked in the oven.

For a filling and fun breakfast that’s super easy to whip up, try this tater tot eggs benedict. Crispy tots take the place of toast, delivering flavorful crunch in every bite. Ready in less than an hour, this is an impressive dish that both kids and adults alike will love.

Guy says, “It’s all about contrast in taste and texture with this pairing. The combination of golden brown tater tots and umami-rich Parmesan creates a one-way ticket to Flavortown!”

Chili Cheese Tots are an irresistible comfort food that both kids and adults will love. In this recipe, the potato tots are smothered in a simple, spicy chili sauce, then topped with a creamy cheese sauce and grated Cheddar. You can whip them up with or without onions—it’s delicious either way.

Tater tots are one of the most versatile ingredients you can use. Though they’re typically associated with breakfast, we love that this recipe reinvents them into a fun and elegant appetizer. All you need are a bag of frozen tots, some sliced Swiss cheese, deli ham, and chopped pickle. Wrap the cheese and the ham around the tot and bake until melted, then skewer and serve with mustard for dipping.

This combination of two favorite bar foods is an easily irresistible dish that kids and adults will love. These fun buffalo tot-chos are made with potato tots and flavorful shredded chicken, and the pickled vegetables add bright, vibrant flavor to help offset the richness of the cheese and creamy ranch dressing.

Craving nachos but don’t have any chips in the pantry? Turn to the freezer instead and reach for a bag of frozen tater tots! Start by baking the tots in a skillet until crispy, then layer in some cheese and bake until melted. Top with sour cream, cilantro, and the salsa of your choice.

This fun recipe is a great way to take a plate of tater tots to the next level. The cheese sauce has just a bit of heat from the gochujang, and the savory gravy is thick and silky. Each tot gets coated in the toppings so that every bite is crispy, creamy and packed with flavor. Chopped parsley and scallions help add a bit of herbal flavor to each piece.

Crisp, golden potato tots take the place of mashed potatoes in this otherwise traditional cottage pie. Baking the tots before adding to the top of the skillet ensures that they remain crisp after their second bake—you won’t find any soggy tots here!

If you love shepherd’s pie, this inventive dish is a fun way to turn the classic recipe on its head. Ground chuck gets browned with seasonings like Worcestershire sauce, paprika, beef stock and tomato paste, then cooked with onions, carrots, zucchini and bell peppers. The meat and vegetable dish then gets layered in a casserole dish and topped with tater tots instead of mashed potatoes. The whole dish gets baked until the tots turn crispy and perfectly golden brown.