7 Kid-Friendly Tater Tot Recipes

Their size, versatility and playful potential are only a few of the reasons that tater tot recipes appeal to kids of all ages! According to Eater, the crisply compact tater tot originated as a way to better use all parts of potatoes otherwise transformed into delicious french fries. Since their initial introduction by the founders of Ore-Ida in the 1950s, tater tots and dishes made with them have become prominent fixtures in many home kitchens, cafeterias and restaurants across the country. At Freddy’s, brand new tots have recently been introduced to our menu in addition to our popular Freddy’s Shoestring Fries. As part of your upcoming meal planning, pick up crispy tots for the family at a Freddy’s near you or try out one of the kid-friendly tater tot recipes included below!

Tater Tot Recipes for Kids (and Everyone Else)

There is so much to love about the tater tot: the shape, the nooks and crannies, the juxtaposition of textures, the flavor and creative possibilities! Consequently, featuring this bite of potato goodness in your meals makes it especially appealing for kids. The following kid-friendly tater tot recipes showcase different ways in which to use these prepared bites, as well as ingredient combinations to try when you are looking for a little kitchen inspiration.

1. Tot-Chos (Tater Tot Nachos)

Exchange traditional tortilla chips for tater tots and enjoy a new variation of this quick and classic kid-friendly meal. For her “tot-chos,” Katie Lee Biegel at Food Network takes inspiration from both nachos and another celebrated finger food, buffalo chicken bites, to create these Buffalo Chicken Tot-Chos. Want to get the kids involved in the kitchen? Let them customize their own tot-chos and add the finishing touches, once their tot, cheese and meat combination has been baked.

2. Totsagna (Tater Tot Lasagna)

According to Delish in its discussion and sharing of this tater tot recipe, tater tot lasagna or “totsagna” is designed for celebrations. For both its audacity and degree of indulgence, this dish both perplexes and awes upon presentation. With their curiosity engaged, kids are sure to dive into this combination of cheese and tomato sauce, as well as the crispy potatoes that stand in for the usual noodles.

3. Tater Tot Cups

Using a tater tot cup recipe as the foundation for the dish, transform those leftover ingredients from other recipes or other standard fridge finds into packages of deliciousness. The Tater Tot Appetizer Cup from The Feathered Nester includes step-by-step directions with visuals for making these cups. While this creator ultimately fills the cups with cheese and bacon, others have used a similar cup approach for breakfast egg bites, taco-inspired dishes and more!

4. Tater Tot Waffles

Ideal for any meal or as the base for appetizer bites, a tater tot waffle recipe provides the perfect canvas for your kids’ innovation as well as your own culinary artistry. The preparation process is pretty simple: brush or spray a little oil on your waffle iron, add an even layer of room temperature tater tots and seasoning and cook. For a bit more guidance, check out this simple recipe from Minnesota Monthly. After making the waffles, you might use them to make a variation on avocado toast or as the bun for a delicious crispy chicken sandwich using Freddy’s Famous Fry Sauce®. For a unique appetizer, cut waffles into smaller pieces for dipping into queso or spinach and artichoke dip!

5. Tater Tot Skewers

Tater tots are already a portable treat for kids on the go, but this skewer format makes it even easier to enjoy more tots and toppings at once. These Tater Tots on Shareable Skewers from Cara Harbstreet at Street Smart Nutrition incorporate ingredients that often appear on a traditional loaded baked potato. However, the creative format of this dish and the vast opportunity for additional flavor combinations will surely pique the interests and taste buds of any hungry diner.

6. Tater Tot Sushi

Many recipes start by utilizing tater tots in their prepared form, which can certainly be done to create a sushi-inspired dish. Simply swap tater tots for the rice element and top the nuggets with your kids’ favorite fish or meat, vegetables and sauces. However, other recipes let the delicious potato nugget serve as the inspiration for innovation, like these Tuna Tots with Yuzu Vinaigrette from Guy Fieri at Food Network.

7. Tater Tot Casserole

Especially in the Midwest where Freddy’s originated, almost every family has a tried and true casserole both for weeknight meals and for special occasions. For a new variation on this classic dish or an easy meal idea that incorporates your child’s favorite food, try one of the many tater tot casserole recipes. From Green Bean Tater Tot Casserole to Tater Tot Taco Casserole, there is no shortage of tater tot recipe ideas to explore, as evident at AllRecipes. This Tater Tot Casserole includes only four basic ingredients for a quick and comforting dish or try one of the other “18 Fun Recipes that Start with Tater Tots.”

When you are looking for a new kid-friendly meal idea or simply want to take a different approach to some of your family’s favorite dishes, these tater tot recipes may be just what you’ve been searching for! Don’t feel like cooking tonight? Stop by one of our Freddy’s locations to fulfill your tater tot craving with our latest menu addition! Looking for additional sauces and seasonings to complement your tater tot recipe creations? Shop our online inventory for sauces and seasonings!