Easy Tater Tots

Tater Tots are a delicious snack made from mashed potatoes that are shaped into small croquettes and baked until they are crispy on the outside and soft on the inside. They are very popular in the United States as a side dish for various meals. They are typically served in cafeterias and school canteens. Additionally, you can find them in large frozen bags at any supermarket since they are very popular.

They are really easy to make. Here's the recipe as it is done in the United States.

Ingredients:

• 2 cups of mashed potatoes
• 1 cup of shredded cheddar cheese*
• 1/4 cup of flour
• 1 teaspoon of salt
• 1/2 teaspoon of black pepper
• 1/2 teaspoon of garlic powder
• 1/2 teaspoon of onion powder
• Vegetable oil for frying

* You can use another cheese if you prefer so.

First, make mashed potatoes by boiling peeled potatoes until they are tender. Then, mash them with a fork or use a potato masher. To fill two cups, you will need about 4 to 5 potatoes.

In a large bowl, mix the mashed potatoes, shredded cheddar cheese, flour, salt, black pepper, garlic powder, and onion powder. Mix everything until you have a smooth and lump-free dough (you can sift the flour to make mixing easier).

Take small portions of the mixture and shape them into small elongated or cylindrical croquettes. They should be bite-sized. If you find that the dough is too liquid, add a little more flour very carefully.

Heat the vegetable oil (sunflower, canola, corn) in a large pan over medium-high heat. It should be enough to immerse the croquettes.

When the oil is hot, fry the croquettes in batches until they are golden and crispy, for about 3 to 5 minutes. Occasionally turn the Tater Tots to ensure even cooking. Fry a few at a time so they don't touch each other.

Remove the Tater Tots from the hot oil and place them on paper towels to remove excess oil.

Serve the homemade Tater Tots hot, and if desired, with ketchup, mayonnaise, or mustard. They are not usually sprinkled with salt, but many people do it to add more flavor.

The spice combinations can vary widely depending on who is preparing them. In some cases, they use spicy paprika or herbs.

By the way, if you're wondering what "Tater Tots" means, it's American slang. "Tater" is slang or dialectal for "potato," and "tot" means "baby" or "small." In general, "tot" is applied to children under 3 years old. So, "tater tot" would mean "baby potatoes."