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Crispy Tater Tots with Melty Cheese Centers

Appetizer 🧄Side Dish 🥗Snack 🍿 American Low-SodiumSugar-FreeVegetarian 🥦Halal 🕌Kosher ✡️Comfort-FoodClean EatingPescatarian 🐟

Crispy Tater Tots with Melty Cheese Centers deliver a golden crust that gives way to gooey smoked cheddar or gouda inside. The contrast of crunchy potato and rich, smoky cheese makes them an addictive bite, perfect for game day or casual gatherings. Serve hot with your favorite dipping sauces for a crowd-pleasing appetizer or snack.

  • Prep40 mins
  • Cook5 mins
  • Serves4
  • DifficultyMedium
Crispy Tater Tots with Melty Cheese Centers
  1. 1

    Gather all the ingredients.

  2. 2

    In a large bowl, mix the eggs, flour, salt, pepper, paprika, and garlic powder.

  3. 3

    Put half of the hash browns into a food processor. Pulse once or twice briefly until most shreds are about 1/2 inch long; it's fine if some shreds remain long.

  4. 4

    Add the hash browns to the bowl with the egg mixture. Repeat with the remaining hash browns. Toss to coat.

  5. 5

    Divide the hash brown mixture into thirty-two 1 1/2-tablespoon portions (a #40 scoop works well for this).

  6. 6

    Working over the sink, place one portion of the mixture in the palm of your hand and set a cheese cube in the center.

  7. 7

    Close your hand to press the hash brown mixture around the cheese, shaping it into a short cylinder and squeezing out excess liquid as you go.

  8. 8

    Set the shaped tots on a parchment-lined baking sheet. When all the tots are shaped, freeze them until they hold their shape, 30 minutes.

  9. 9

    Heat oil in a large heavy saucepan over medium heat to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). Fry 4 to 6 tots at a time until golden brown, 3 to 4 minutes per batch. Drain on paper towels. Keep fried tots warm in a 200 degree F (95 degrees C) oven while frying the rest.