Cheddar Bacon Tater Tots

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Golden, crunchy and crisp on the outside while soft, oozy and cheesy in the middle, these bite-sized tater tots make for an irresistible appetizer, finger food or savory snack. They are stuffed with a smooth mixture of creamy potato, smoky bacon and Parmesan cheese. Learn how to make them by following these simple instructions. But beware: They are addictive!

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Potato croquettes are delicious and simple to make.
Image Credit: Thalia Ho

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Things You'll Need

  • 3 large potatoes, peeled and cut into 1-inch / 2.5-centimeter cubes

  • 2 tablespoons butter, softened

  • 1 onion, diced

  • 4 ounces / 115 grams bacon or another meat such as ham, prosciutto or chorizo

  • 1 teaspoon rosemary

  • 1/4 cup heavy cream

  • 4 ounces / 115 grams Parmesan or cheddar cheese, grated

  • 1 cup plain flour

  • 2 eggs, lightly beaten

  • 2 cups Panko bread crumbs

  • Sea salt and cracked black pepper

  • Neutral oil, for deep-frying

Makes 18-20 croquettes.

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Step 1: Prepare Ingredients

Measure out all the ingredients before you begin to have them handy while you're working.

Measure out all the ingredients.
Image Credit: Thalia Ho

Step 2: Boil the Potatoes

Boil the potatoes in a pot of lightly salted water until tender, about 20 minutes. Drain and then transfer to a large bowl, setting it aside to cool.

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Set the boiled potatoes aside in a bowl.
Image Credit: Thalia Ho

Step 3: Cook the Onion and Bacon

Melt a tablespoon of butter in a small frying pan over medium heat. Add the onion, and cook until translucent at the edges, stirring occasionally. Add the bacon, and fry until golden and crisp. Season to taste with salt and pepper, and then remove from the heat and set aside.

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Fry the onion and bacon until golden.
Image Credit: Thalia Ho

Step 4: Mash the Potatoes

Roughly mash the cooled potatoes.

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Roughly mash the potatoes together.
Image Credit: Thalia Ho

Step 5: Prepare the Filling

Add the onion and bacon mixture to the potato bowl, along with the rosemary, remaining tablespoon of butter, cream, salt and pepper. Stir roughly to combine.

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Add the onion and bacon to the potato.
Image Credit: Thalia Ho

Step 6: Add the Cheese

Lightly fold in the cheese to form a textured but uniform mixture.

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Fold in the cheese to form a rough but uniform mixture.
Image Credit: Thalia Ho

Step 7: Shape

Form 1 tablespoon of the mixture into 3-inch / 7-centimeter long oval shapes, and flatten the edges. Alternatively, you could shape the mixture into 1-½ inch / 3-cm balls if you prefer something more bite-sized.

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Shape into oval logs.
Image Credit: Thalia Ho

Step 8: Prepare the Coatings

Place the flour, eggs, bread crumbs in three separate bowls.

Put the flour, eggs and bread crumbs in three separate bowls.
Image Credit: Thalia Ho

Step 9: Coat the Tots

Dip each piece into the flour, then the beaten eggs and then the bread crumbs. Transfer to a parchment lined baking tray.

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Coat each tot in the flour, eggs and bread crumbs.
Image Credit: Thalia Ho

Step 10: Deep-Fry

Heat 2 inches / 5 centimeters of oil in a deep saucepan to 375 C / 180 C. Working in batches, fry the tots, turning as needed, until golden and crisp, about 2 minutes.

Place the tots on a baking tray lined with paper towel to drain off any oil, and then season them with salt. Freshly made tater tots can be kept in a warm oven to retain their temperature as you fry the remaining batches.

Put the cooked tots on a baking tray to drain off extra oil.
Image Credit: Thalia Ho

Serve the tater tots immediately. They are even more delicious when accompanied by a good savory relish, chutney, jam, aioli or tomato sauce to cut through their decadent richness.

Serve with a good sauce.
Image Credit: Thalia Ho
Tater tots with this cheesy filling can be addictive.
Image Credit: Thalia Ho

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