Name: Crispy Tater Tot Waffle Sticks Recipe
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 15 min
Yield: 4
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 32-ounce tater tots, thawed (907 gm); 1 teaspoon salt (5 gm); 1 teaspoon black ppper (5 gm); Non-stick cooking spray

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If you have a waffle maker in your pantry, it's time to start using it! They are great for not just waffles but making all sorts of yummy items, including these super crispy tater tot waffle sticks. This is a great way to serve up tater tots differently Whether used at breakfast, lunch, or dinnertime, this will have your tots crispy and delicious in no time!

Tater Tot Waffle Sticks

In the words of Napolean Dynamite, "Give me some of your tots". Tater tots have long been a freezer staple in our house because they lend themselves to being used as a side dish, within a recipe, or even as the base for yummy nachos. With this easy method, anyone can whip up a batch for easy dunking in no time at all!

If you are a potato fan like I am, then you may also want to check out this delicious cottage fries recipe or the list of potato side dish recipes. In my house, the potato a must with many meals, and now you have even more versatility!

Do I Have to Spray the Waffle Maker First?

While not all waffle makers are made the same, most have a Teflon coating of some sort. I, however, always spray lightly with cooking spray whether I am using mine for waffles or something like these tater tot sticks.

You can also spread butter or shortening over the waffle maker to grease it before turning it on so food won't stick while you are cooking.

What Should I Serve Tater Tot Waffle Sticks With?

When it comes to how you eat these, you can serve them alone, as a side dish, part of breakfast, with lunch, or even dinner. There are literally tons of ways you can eat these and foods they go well alongside. Some of my favorites are below.

At breakfast alongside oven-baked bacon and a fresh blueberry muffin.
As a side dish to blackened chicken breast, the best barbecue chicken, or even pulled pork sandwiches.
Served as the base for chili, soups, or nachos.

What Dipping Sauces Go With Tater Tots?

Potatoes go with almost anything! These are excellent with the classics but could be dressed up with all manner of tasty options for dipping. Get creative and offer up a variety for your family to try.

Ketchup
Hot sauce or sriracha
Ranch dressing
Jalapeno dip
Honey mustard
Cheese sauce or queso
Barbecue sauce
Maple syrup

Can I Season These Differently?

Definitely! Potatoes are super easy to customize with tons of different options for flavors. Tater tots are no different. Just because you are making them in a waffle iron doesn't mean you can't add some seasoning to pep up the flavor while cooking them.

Taco seasoning
Cajun seasoning
Greek seasoning
Garlic, salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes
Lemon pepper
Seasoned salt blend

Can I Use These as a "Bread" for Sandwiches?

While it could be done, I don't find them sturdy enough to use as a base for sandwiches. One way to make them a bit more sturdy is to add a layer of cheese under the tater tots and on top of them to make a crispy layer. This would help hold them together better to create a nice base for a sandwich.

Instead of using it as a sandwich, consider making them like you would a loaded baked potato, Frito pie, or nachos. Load them up with toppings before serving and let them serve as the base for something else you can eat with a fork and not worry about it falling apart as a sandwich might.

Ingredients

Tater tots (thawed)
Cooking spray
Salt
Black pepper

Great Waffle Makers

This recipe is best made with a basic waffle iron or waffle maker and not a Belgian waffle iron. The large Belgian waffle iron is harder to fill with the tater tots and won't crisp them the way you really want. Below are some good options if you haven't invested in a waffle maker yet for your own kitchen.

How to Make Tater Tot Waffle Sticks

Preheat the waffle maker according to manufacturer directions.

Once hot, spray lightly with non-stick cooking spray.

Lay the tater tots onto the bottom of the waffle maker in a single layer making sure you cover most of the base.

Sprinkle lightly with salt and pepper, or chosen spice blend.

Press down the waffle iron and cook for 3 minutes.

Check and press the waffle maker don more so the tater tots stick together.

Continue cooking for 7 to 8 minutes until they are at your desired crispness.

Carefully remove from the waffle maker and season additionally, if desired.

Repeat as many times as needed.

Cut into sticks, or serve whole with your favorite dipping sauce.

More Easy Recipes

If you want more delicious recipes to add to your meal plan, we have tons to check out. Whether it is an easy snack or a side dish, below are some great options that are sure to please everyone at your dinner table.

📖 Recipe

Yield: 4