In summary: There are three ways to reheat tater tots: using an oven, using a frying pan, and using an air fryer. Each way has different steps and heating times, depending on the desired crispiness and oiliness of tater tots.
Made of potatoes, beautifully soft on the inside and crispy on the outside, tater tots are the perfect addition to any dish, especially if you eat grilled meat or some other variant of healthy fast food.
If you have leftovers after lunch, the last thing you want is to throw away these delicious balls. Reheating leftovers is a bit of an awkward task.
Can you microwave tater tots? If your first thought was the microwave, you should immediately dismiss the idea. Such an action would completely destroy the tater tots. So, you have to do it differently by keeping it crispy, soft, flavorful, and yet safe to eat.
Don’t worry anymore because we bring you methods on how to reheat tater tots best.
Reheating Tater Tots In An Oven
With the help of the oven, the tater tots will be superbly heated. The inside will remain soft and pliable, the outside crispy and nicely golden brown.
You can also heat large quantities in the oven at once, so if you have prepared a feast in advance, it will be a very practical way to reheat.
Step 1: Preheat the Oven to 350 °F
As always, turn on the oven first and let it heat to 350 degrees F. The oven needs to be fully heated before you insert the tater tots into it.
Step 2: Arrange Tater Tots on a Pan and Cover with Foil
Now, take a baking tray broad enough that your tater tots fit into it, ideally in one row. Then, cover the pan with aluminum foil.
Step 3: Bake for about 15 to 20 Minutes
Put the tater tots in the oven and bake them for about 15 to 20 minutes. You can periodically check how they are progressing to keep them from accidentally burning. Once they are done, take them out and serve. Just be careful when eating as it will be quite hot.
How To Reheat Tater Tots In A Frying Pan
A frying pan is another way you can reheat tater tots leftovers, and it is definitely a faster way than the oven. So if you’re in a hurry, instead of ruining food in the microwave, use a frying pan. Here’s how to do it best.
Step 1: Place the Skillet on a Stovetop and Preheat
First, place the frying pan on the stove to heat well. Add a little excess oil so that the tater tots do not stick to the bottom. Rather reduce the heat a little if you notice that it is too hot and that the tater tots may burn.
Step 2: Put the Tater Tots in the Pan and Heat
Put the tater tots in the pan and start baking them. Do not move away from the stove as they could burn very quickly. Be sure to heat them evenly on all sides, so flip them over as needed.
Step 3: Take them out and Soak up the Oil
When the tater tots are well heated, take them out of the pan and place them on a paper towel to soak up the excess fat. And that’s it. Your delicious meal is ready.
Warming Tater Tots In An Air Fryer
An air fryer is an excellent way for the initial preparation of fried food and thus, later reheating.
In fact, it is perfect for all crispy and dry dishes. It’s great that you don’t have to do anything special except put the tater tots in the basket and turn on the heat.
The dish will have nicely crispy exterior, and be ideally heated, almost as well as freshly prepared. Don’t even think about other heating methods if you have an air fryer in the kitchen. It is, for sure, the best way to reheat tater tots.
Step 1: Preheat the Air Fryer to 350 °F
For heating, choose medium heat to get nicely heated tater tots without burning them on the outside. Turn on the air fryer at 350 degrees and let it heat up thoroughly.
Step 2: Place Tater Tots in a Fryer Basket
Simply place leftover tater tots in the air fryer basket to prepare them for reheating. If you have a large amount, do not stack them in several rows. The results are much better and crispier if they are arranged in one layer.
Since they are cylindrical, there will undoubtedly be some space between each ball, and this will contribute to the fine texture and taste.
Step 3: Heat for About 5 Minutes
Put the cold tater tots in an air fryer to warm up. It will take approximately 5 minutes to achieve the desired result. You will hardly notice the difference between reheated tater tots and those freshly prepared. If you have frozen tater tots, simply stretch the heating time for 2 or 3 minutes.
FAQs
How long are tater tots good for in the fridge?
If stored well, tater tots will last in the refrigerator for approximately 3 to 4 days. However, we have to tell you that their texture changes over time, so the best result will be if you reheat the leftovers the next day for a meal. And they’re so delicious, so there’s no need to let them wait any longer. You can also freeze tater tots for later.
Can you freeze cooked tater tots?
If you have a lot of leftovers, you can also freeze already cooked tater tots. Keep them in the freezer for up to a month. Before you freeze them, let them cool and put them in a freezer bag. Remember to squeeze as much air as possible.
Can you reheat tater tots in a microwave?
In the microwave, the tater tots will heat up, that’s not in dispute. But their crunchiness and fine taste and texture will be destroyed entirely. We recommend any of the three methods we have described above, rather than using the microwave.
How do you reheat tater tots crispy?
To reheat tater tots and keep them crispy, use an oven or toaster oven. Preheat the oven to around 425°F (220°C), spread the tater tots in a single layer on a baking sheet, and heat them for 10-15 minutes until they are thoroughly warmed and crispy. Avoid reheating tater tots in the microwave, as it may make them soggy.
Conclusion
If you have leftover tater tots, you can opt for any of the three methods we have described to you, and the result will be excellent. What we, by no means, recommend is the microwave. So, decide for yourself which method is the most practical and a favorite for you and reheat the tater tots for a perfect meal.
Tanja is great lover of healthy eating and lifestyle, she has been editing TV series about nutrition and health for years. She also engaged in food production in the family business, mainly focused on fruit processing without destroying vitamins and minerals. She believes that quality nutrition is one of the key ingredients of a happy and healthy life.
