Not exactly sure how to reheat those leftover tater tots that you have sitting in the refrigerator?
Well, you are in the right place, because I am going to highlight the right methods to use (along with those to avoid) when it comes to reheating tater tots.
So, if you’re ready to get those little golden nuggets of awesomeness piping hot, keep reading to find out how.
2 Best Ways to Reheat Tater Tots
Tater tots are amazing fresh off the fryer. But when they get cold, they taste awful.
The good news is that you can easily bring them back to their original taste by using any of these two methods:
- Oven/Toaster Oven
- Air Fryer
- Pan or Deep Fry
So, if you have leftovers sitting in the fridge or you’re about to make a batch and want to have some for later, follow these instructions to get them nice and crispy again.
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Method 1: Reheating Tater Tots In the Oven
If you have cold leftover tater tots, the oven is probably your best option for reheating them.
It is not the quickest reheating option, but it will give you the best crispy tots.
Steps:
- Preheat the oven to 350°F.
- Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Spread the tots in a single layer on the baking sheet.
- Bake for 15-20 minutes, or until they are crispy.
- Keep checking to make sure that they are not over done or burnt, you want them heated up perfectly and not all stoves heat up the same.
- Once they are steaming hot, you can now take them out and enjoy
Note: This method is recommended if you have a tater tot casserole that needs to be warmed up. Heating times may vary.
Method 2: Reheating Tater Tots in the Air Fryer
When it comes to reheating crispy fried foods like tater tots, the air fryer is king.
The great thing about the air fryer is that it reheats the food evenly and gives it a nice, crispy texture that’s just like it was when it was first cooked.
It’s also pretty quick, so it’s a great option if you’re in a hurry.
Steps
1. Preheat your air fryer to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
2. Place the tater tots in the air fryer basket in a single layer.
3. Reheat for 3-5 minutes, or until the tots are hot and crispy.
4. Remove and serve right away.
Method 3: Reheating Tater Tots in a Skillet/Deep Fryer
You can reheat tater tots by pan or deep frying them, but these are not the healthiest options and there is a greater risk of them becoming soggy.
If you choose to go this route, follow these steps:
Steps (Skillet):
- Heat a large skillet over medium heat.
- Add enough oil to coat the bottom of the pan and allow it to heat up.
- You can allow them to heat up on one side for about 1 minute and then flip them.
- Once you feel they have been adequately heated up, take out and place on some paper towels to absorb the excess oil.
- If done properly, then should be super-hot inside and golden crispy on the inside.
Steps (Deep Fryer):
- Heat your deep fryer to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Place the tater tots in the basket, being careful not to overcrowd them and place them in the preheated deep fryer.
- Fry for 1-3 minutes, or until they are hot and crispy.
- Remove from the oil, place on a paper towel-lined plate, and serve right away.
Can You Reheat Tater Tots in the Microwave?
There are a number of ways that you can use to reheat your tater tots, but unfortunately microwaving is not one such method.
If you’ve ever tried to reheat French fries in the microwave, you know they’ll just get mushy instead of crispy and golden brown like they were when first fried!
This is exactly what’ll happen to your tater tots if you microwave them
Reheating fried foods in the microwave is never a good option and for your tater tots, you either need to try and re-fry them or throw them in the oven.
If you do not mind that the tater tots won’t be crispy, but soggy…then the microwave can be your go to option.
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Wrapping it up
So, if you need a quick and easy way to reheat your tater tots so that they’re crispy again, the oven or air fryer are definitely a safe bet.
The oven will give you a little longer time for reheating while the air fryer will heat them up much faster.
You can also re-fry them in the pan or deep fryer if you choose, but note that these options are not the healthiest.
Lastly, microwaving is not a viable method for reheating tater tots.
