Here Are The 7 Best Frozen Tater Tots Experts Love

Americans love tater tots so much that 70 million pounds are made yearly! Here’s a fun fact: they were first invented in 1953 by the owners of the Ore-Ida company, who were looking for a way to use the leftover scraps of cut-up potatoes. The company still makes the much-loved nuggets served in school cafeterias and fast food restaurants, and they are also a staple in home kitchens. From the crunchiest exteriors to the fluffiest interiors, we’ve embarked on a delicious journey to bring you a comprehensive guide to the best frozen tater tots on the market, ensuring your next snack or side dish is nothing short of perfection.

Potatoes often get a bad rap because they are high in carbs, but a study found spuds don’t increase the risk of Type 2 diabetes and hypertension in healthy adults. Potatoes are rich in essential nutrients such as vitamin C and potassium, and dietitians say when consumed as part of a balanced diet, potatoes can be a nutritious food choice.

Nutrition aside, tater tots are just plain tasty! But not many home cooks are seen whipping up a homemade batch. That’s where frozen tots come in! While there are so many on the market, only a few stand out from the masses. These quick meal solutions easily lose crispiness or come out just plain mushy. We have strived to find those that don’t taste like they’re fresh from the freezer.

Tater tots have become a favorite alternative to fries for many due to their convenient dip-ability and bite-sized nature. For many, the perfect frozen tot consists of a crispy exterior with a fluffy interior. We consulted reviews from nine food experts to compile this list of the best rozen tater tots that were most recommended. Which one is your favorite? Let us know in the comments below. In the meantime, check out our list below!

7 Best Frozen Tater Tots, According to Food Critics

1. Lamb Weston Grown in Idaho Super Crispy Tots

Sporked gives these a 10 out of 10. They even go as far as to compare them to McDonald’s hash browns! That’s nothing short of an honor. Sporked reviewers describe them as “greasy and crisp and wonderfully potatoey” and especially recommends them for breakfast casseroles.

According to Eat This, Not That!, they live up to their “super crispy” name. Why? They point out their restaurant-quality texture and delicious seasonings that even make them yummy witout dunking in ketchup. “You probably could have heard the crunch from these tots from 20 feet away,” they write in their review.

2. Alexia Crispy Seasoned Potato Puffs

These little tots are bursting with flavor! Sporked specifically recommends trying the garlic and cracked pepper flavor for a bold and delicious bite. They even say that dip is not necessary due to how much flavor is packed in each tot.

According to Recipe Marker, the secret lies in their special combination of spices. They also note that they are only 150 calories and pack an excellent punch of potassium. So, while tater tots may be seen as a type of junk food, you are still getting some nutritional value with Alexia tots.

3. 365 by Whole Foods Market Tater Puffs

Next up we have Whole Foods’ tater tots. Recipe Marker describes these next yummy bites as mildly seasoned with a crunchy exterior, and an interior that is light and airy. What’s even better is they are made with real potatoes, making for an excellent source of vitamin C.

Let’s not stop there, though. The positives keep going. My Frozen Picks loves that they are made with no artificial flavors or preservatives and they are frozen within mere hours of harvest. You can count on freshness with these.

As far as how best to prepare them, Foods Guy suggests a deep fryer, air fryer, or the oven.

4. 365 Sweet Potato Puffs

For a little bit of a different flavor, these sweet potato puffs from Whole Foods are a great choice! My Frozen Picks recommends oven-baking them until they are golden brown on both sides, so you will want to flip it half way through. They describe them as crispy on the outside and fluffy on the inside that tastes like fall.

To elevate these sweet tots, Sporked says they pair well with garlic aioli. They also say they are the perfect combo of sweet, salty, and oily. What’s not to like?

5. Ore Ida Crispy Tater Tots

Do you prefer well-cooked tots? If so, Sporked says these Ore Ida tots are for you. As advertised, the site’s taste testers note that they really are extremely crispy with a hot, creamy potato center that makes it seem like they are fresh out of the fryer. Yum!

This deliciousness stems from the quality behind Ore Ida tots. They are made from A-grade potatoes and are gluten-free. Plus, you don’t have to do any work with seasoning because they are already packed with flavor (Foods Guy).

According to Mashed, you can’t go wrong pairing these tots with ketchup or ranch. Sign me up!

6. Ore Ida Golden Tater Tots

Another crispy delight from Ore Ida, the golden tater tots are to die-for. Foods Guy loves Ore Ida as a brand overall and says this list would not be complete without these.

As far as flavor goes, Eat This, Not That! says they are consistently well-seasoned, salty, and cooked to perfection.

Like many on our list, the quality starts with the ingredients. According to Recipe Marker, their use of fresh potatoes makes all the difference. This gives them a light, airy texture while still being crispy on the outside.

7. Alexia Organic Yukon Select Puffs

Rounding out our list is yet another pick from Alexia. This time, it’s the Yukon Select Puffs. Sporked reviewers say these tots reminded them of homemade mashed potatoes due to their lumps. Because of this, they say “potato snobs” will be pleased.

According to Mashed, they have that signature golden color that screams crispiness. They do warn that while ketchup makes the perfect partner for these tots, ranch totally ruins the complex flavor profile. Take that as you will.

This is another option made with real potatoes. Recipe Marker says they become perfectly crisp in only a few minutes. It’s the perfect quick snack for anyone craving something fried.

Sources:

• Sporked
• Eat This, Not That!
• Simply Recipes
• Mashed
• Cheapism
• Recipe Marker
• My Frozen Picks
• Foods Guy
• The Kitchn

Note: This article was not paid for nor sponsored. StudyFinds is not connected to nor partnered with any of the brands mentioned and receives no compensation for its recommendations. This article may contain affiliate links in which we receive a commission if you make a purchase.