*Disclosure: I received the Copper Chef 9.5″ Deep Square Pan for review here on the blog. Regardless, I only recommend products I use and believe will be good for my readers.
I am a potato lover and really had so much fun coming up with the recipe for these Chile Cheddar Tater Tots! They require only a handful of ingredients, have great flavor and are perfectly crisp on the outside! These are great for the kiddos and adults alike and work wonderfully as a party snack too!
Lets take a little trip down memory lane call we? Remember the good ole school lunches with those tater tots that everyone loved? Well today we are stepping up the tater tot game with this incredible Chile Cheddar Tater Tots! These tots are crazy simple to make, have great flavor and are a perfect way to use up some leftover mashed potatoes! I am so glad I decided to use my new Copper Chef 9.5″ Deep Square pan for this one! So many great uses- especially the fry basket that comes with it!
I will say, this is one of those recipes that you really can just have fun with. The flavor combos are endless! I went with mild green chiles here because of my by boys but you can kick things up with a spicier pepper if you prefer. I mixed leftover mashed potato, an egg, shredded cheddar, mild green chiles and breadcrumb together in a bowl. Scooped out into bite sized balls then rolled them in a simply seasoned flour. I flattened the tots just a bit then popped them into my Copper Chef fryer basket and cooked until golden.
I don’t fry too often but I have to say that this pan makes is so so easy to quickly fry up these Chile Cheddar Tater Tots! The great thing is that this pan is so nice and deep that you aren’t getting oil splatter everywhere and the basket helps prevent the tots from falling apart and gets you aneven quick browning. I am hooked!!! Now don’t think this beautiful pan is just for frying! It also came with a steam rack to get that perfect al dente cook on your favorite veggies. This pan is super versatile! Its oven proof so yup, you can even make a fruit cobbler, roast a chicken or bake bread right in the pan!
I served these tots really simply with just a dot of ranch dressing and a green chile on top. That crisp exterior and then that creamy cheesy inside…. these tots are so so good!!! Just an idea BUT another incredible version… if you have leftovers after St. Pattys Day… mash up the potatoes, throw in some chopped corned beef and a little seasoning and you’ve got yourself some very fun Irish inspired tots!
- a heaping cup of mashed potatoes
- 1 egg
- 1/2 cup shredded cheddar
- 3 Tbsp mild green chiles
- 1/2 cup breadcrumbs
- flour for dusting- seasoned with a pinch of salt & pepper
- ranch dressing garnish optional
- In a bowl mix together the potatoes, egg, cheddar, chiles and breadcrumbs. Scoop out into bite sized balls.
- Roll in the seasoned flour and gently press just to flatten a bit. Put onto a plate or lined baking sheet and pop in the fridge for at least 15 minutes.
- Heat up a couple inches of oil over a medium high heat {a grapeseed, coconut or vegetable oil will work great for high heat} in a deep pan.
- Using a fry basket if you have, brown up the tots until golden brown. Place onto a paper towel lined plate to absorb any excess oil.
I absolutely love this pan and very much look forward to picking up a few more pieces! Check out Copper Chef to see the full line!
michele
I love multi use pans…. and that looks so pretty with the copper color! I can see us making these for March Madness viewing… we love all things cheese, chili and potatoes!
Angela LeMoine
Me too! So many incredible ways to use this pan! I am so glad to have it. I love the idea of these accompanying some basketball watching!!
Michelle
I love copper pots and pans. My mom has a huge collection…I wish I had just one!! These tater tots are such a great appetizer idea!!
Angela LeMoine
Its a really fun version of the beloved kids lunch room tater tot. The pan is really fantastic! Definitely a great addition to the kitchen
Sandra Shaffer
That is a gorgeous copper pan. Love that it has a clear lid. The crispy crunchy edges on tater tots are my favorite, but you took these to a whole new delicious level! Cheese and chile together is a game changer!
Angela LeMoine
Thank you!! Yea, the pan is amazing!!! I’ve used it a handful of times already and just love the way it cooks
Lisa@Lisa's Dinnertime Dish
That pan looks so perfect for frying up these tator tots! And the tator tots sound absolutely amazing! They would be great party food!
Angela LeMoine
I loved the depth of the pan for frying!! There was absolutely no splattering!
Debra C.
You know…. I don’t think I’d share! 😀 And that copper pot looks like a dream to cook in – what a lovely pan!!!
Angela LeMoine
Isn’t it? The color is stunning and its performance in the kitchen is perfect!
Jennifer A Stewart
Oh I love these bigger and better tots!! How fun!
Angela LeMoine
Thank you!!! I definitely will be making them again soon!
Christie
I’m a total tot lover! I love the that you used leftover mashed potatoes. A great appetizer or snack.
Michele Phillips
LOVE the height and shape of the Copper Chef pan!! And these chile cheddar tater tots are just the yummiest things ever! They’d make great apps for a party (and I’d happy eat way too many of them myself)!
Stephanie
I love cooking in copper pans and pots.It looks like a perfect tool that every woman should have in the kitchen.
Angela LeMoine
This is my first one and I have to say, I am LOVING it!!! I look forward to picking up a few more pieces