Sloppy Jo Tater Tot Skillet Recipe (2024)

FAQs

How to make tater tots without oven? ›

Yes, absolutely. You can make these tater tots in an air fryer (see our video for proof). We cook them on the air fry setting somewhere between 375° F and 390° F for 10 to 15 minutes. You might find that you need to cook them in two batches.

The oil's temperature should be about 180°C (350°F). Once hot, carefully place a few tater tots in the oil without overcrowding the pan. Fry until they're golden brown and crispy, about 3-4 minutes, turning occasionally for even cooking.

Why is my tater tot casserole soggy? If your casserole is soggy, it's likely either because there was too much moisture or it has not baked long enough. Be sure to sauté the onions thoroughly, and bake until the filling is bubbly.

Heat oil in a deep fryer or large saucepan to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Lower potato nuggets carefully into the hot oil in batches, about 5 to 10 at a time. Fry until golden brown and crispy, about 3 to 4 minutes. Transfer to a paper towel-lined plate to drain.

First, make sure they aren't frozen together before they go into the oil. I like to hang the basket with the food in it over the oil as the oil is heating. Then I give the basket a shake before it gets immersed.

When you take a handful of tater tots and throw them into a fryer the oil is only crisping the exterior of the tots and heating them through. They're already cooked, remember? If you were to put some tater tots into a microwave they would become hot but never crispy. It takes hot fat to get them crispy.

1) Use a deep, wide pot like a stockpot (or a dedicated deep-fryer) and enough oil to submerge the food you'll be frying. But leave at least 4 inches between the top of the oil and the lip of the pot to avoid spillovers and reduce splatters. A wok with long sloping sides also works great for deep-frying.

To prevent tots from sticking to the pan, make sure the pan is adequately preheated and add enough oil to coat the bottom of the pan. You can also use a non-stick pan or lightly grease the pan with cooking spray.

But, while anything baked in a casserole can be called a casserole, the Midwestern preparation known as "hotdish" is much more specific. A hotdish always consists of meat, vegetables, a starch, and sauce—it's not a side dish, but an entire meal unto itself.

Can I use hash browns instead of tater tots? ›

Variations and Substitutions

Here are some ideas: Replace Tater Tots: Use hash browns or even cooked and diced potatoes for a different texture. Cheese Swap: Try gruyere or pepper jack cheese for a different flavor profile.

Do you need to thaw the tater tots first? Tater tots are so easy to bake and you don't need to thaw them before baking!

In other words, the two terms are interchangeable and refer to the same type of pan. Frying pans or skillets have flat bottoms, flared sides, a shallow depth, and no lids. These features make them the perfect choice for shallow frying, flipping food, stirring, high-heat searing, or grilling meat at high temperatures.

As you are using high heat cooking methods, you'll want to employ high heat cooking oils, like coconut, grapeseed, vegetable (controversial for some, but bears a high smoke point) or lard. Cast iron skillet cooking lends itself PERFECTLY to shallow or deep frying because it conducts heats so well.

While the oil is heating up, take the frozen tater tots out of the bag and spread them out on a paper towel to remove any excess moisture. This step is crucial for achieving a crispy exterior when deep frying.