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. Warming up 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 broad pan 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.
Reheating 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 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.
Reheating Tater Tots In An Air Fryer
An air fryer is an excellent way for the initial preparation of tater tots and thus, later reheating. The exterior will simply be perfectly crispy. Here’s how to do it.
Step 1: Preheat the Air Fryer to 380 °F
You first need to turn on the air fryer to heat it up well. Set the temperature to 380 degrees F, which will be ideal for great results.
Step 2: Place the Tater Tots in a Basket and Heat
Put the tater tots in the basket and place it 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.
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.
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.
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.
