What goes with tater tots for dinner

How to Bake Potato Tots

Spread tots on a baking sheet and bake at 450˚ until golden and crisp, 30 to 35 minutes.

Spice Up Your Tots

1. Old Bay Tots with Spicy Mayonnaise: Bake 1 pound tots, then toss with 1 1/2 teaspoons Old Bay and continue baking until very crisp, 5 more minutes. For the sauce, mix 2/3 cup mayonnaise with 2 tablespoons dijon mustard and 1/2 teaspoon each horseradish, Worcestershire sauce, hot sauce and lemon juice; sprinkle with Old Bay.

2. Chive Tots with Creamy Steak Sauce: Bake 1 pound tots, then toss with 1 teaspoon Montreal steak seasoning and 2 tablespoons chopped chives. For the sauce, mix 1/2 cup mayonnaise with 3 tablespoons steak sauce, 2 tablespoons chopped chives and 1 teaspoon honey.

3. Togarashi Tots with Wasabi Mayonnaise: Bake 1 pound tots, then toss with 1 1/2 teaspoons shichimi togarashi (Japanese spice mix) and continue baking until very crisp, 5 more minutes. For the sauce, mix 1/2 cup mayonnaise with the zest and juice of 1 lime, 2 teaspoons wasabi paste and 1 thinly sliced scallion.

4. Spanish Tots with Red Pepper Sauce: Bake 1 pound tots, then toss with 1 teaspoon smoked paprika and continue baking until very crisp, 5 more minutes. For the sauce, puree 1/2 cup roasted red peppers with 1/4 cup each mayonnaise and toasted almonds, 1 small garlic clove, 1 teaspoon sherry vinegar and salt and pepper to taste.

5. Deep-Fried Tots with Malt Vinegar: Whisk 1 cup flour with one 12-ounce bottle lager, 1 egg and 1 teaspoon kosher salt. Working in two batches, dredge 1 pound frozen tots in flour, then dip in the batter and deep-fry in 365˚ vegetable oil until golden and crisp, about 4 minutes. Drain on paper towels. Season with salt. Serve with malt vinegar.

6. Jerk Tots with Spicy Ketchup: Bake 1 pound tots, then toss with 2 tablespoons jerk paste and continue baking until very crisp, 5 to 8 more minutes. For the sauce, mix 1/2 cup ketchup with 2 teaspoons lime juice and 1 teaspoon Scotch bonnet hot sauce.

7. Tandoori Tots with Yogurt Chutney: Bake 1 pound tots. Whisk 2 tablespoons each tandoori paste and plain yogurt in a large bowl; add the tots and toss, then return to the baking sheet and continue baking until very crisp, 6 to 10 more minutes. For the sauce, puree 1 bunch cilantro with 1 seeded jalapeño, 1/2 cup plain yogurt, 1 tablespoon lemon juice, 1/4 teaspoon each garam masala, ground cumin and kosher salt and a pinch of cayenne.

8. Sesame-Scallion Tots with Soy Sauce: Bake 1 pound tots, then toss with 2 tablespoons toasted sesame oil, 1 tablespoon each sesame seeds, minced garlic and minced ginger and 3 sliced scallions and continue baking until very crisp, 5 to 8 more minutes. For the sauce, mix 2 tablespoons each soy sauce and rice vinegar with 1 tablespoon water.

Serve Tots on a Stick!

9. Peruvian Shrimp Tot Kebabs: Bake 8 ounces tots, then toss with 1 tablespoon each melted butter and minced garlic. Meanwhile, cook 12 ounces large shrimp (peeled and deveined) in vegetable oil in a large nonstick skillet over high heat until opaque, 2 minutes per side. Stir in 1 tablespoon ají amarillo (Peruvian chile) paste; season with salt and pepper. Thread the shrimp onto skewers, alternating with the tots and lime wedges. Sprinkle with chopped cilantro.

10. Thai Curry Tot Kebabs: Bake 12 ounces tots. Whisk 2 tablespoons Thai yellow curry paste with 1 tablespoon vegetable oil in a large bowl. Add the tots and toss, then return to the baking sheet and continue baking until very crisp, 5 to 10 more minutes. Thread onto skewers, alternating with cucumber chunks. Drizzle with peanut sauce and top with chopped cilantro.

11. Kielbasa Tot Kebabs: Cook 8 ounces kielbasa (cut into 1-inch chunks) in a large nonstick skillet over medium heat, turning, until browned, 2 to 3 minutes. Toss 8 ounces frozen tots with 1/2 teaspoon ground caraway seeds; bake. Thread onto skewers, alternating with the kielbasa pieces and soft pretzel bites. Return to the baking sheet and bake until warmed through, 5 minutes. Serve with beer mustard.

12. Hawaiian Tot Kebabs: Brown 1 cup each Spam and red bell peppers (cut into 1-inch cubes) in vegetable oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat, stirring occasionally, 5 minutes. Bake 8 ounces tots and thread onto skewers, alternating with the Spam, peppers and pineapple chunks. Drizzle with teriyaki glaze.

13. Italian Antipasti Tot Kebabs: Bake 8 ounces tots. Thread onto skewers, alternating with jarred artichoke hearts, cherry tomatoes and marinated mozzarella balls. Brush with pesto.

14. Lobster Roll Tot Kebabs: Warm 1 1/4 cups cooked lobster (cut into large pieces) in 4 tablespoons melted butter, then stir in 1 tablespoon chopped chives; season with salt and pepper. Bake 8 ounces tots and thread onto skewers, alternating with the lobster and Bibb lettuce leaves. Dust with paprika

Make Tot-chos!

15. Mexican Tot-chos: Toss 28 ounces frozen tots with 2 teaspoons chili powder; bake. Top with 2 cups shredded Mexican cheese blend and continue baking until melted, 1 more minute. Top with pico de gallo, sliced black olives, guacamole and crema or sour cream.

16. Tomatillo Chicken Tot-chos: Toss 28 ounces frozen tots with 2 teaspoons fajita seasoning; bake. Top with 2 cups shredded monterey jack and continue baking until melted, 1 more minute. Warm 1 cup shredded rotisserie chicken with 1 cup tomatillo salsa; spoon over the tots and sprinkle with crumbled Cotija cheese, sliced radishes and diced onion.

17. Shepherd’s Pie Tot-chos: Bake 28 ounces tots. Meanwhile, brown 1 pound ground beef in olive oil with 1 small diced onion, 1 chopped carrot and 2 teaspoons chopped thyme in a large skillet over medium-high heat, 5 minutes. Sprinkle with 1 tablespoon flour, then add 1 cup beef broth, 3 tablespoons ketchup and 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce. Simmer until thickened, 7 minutes. Stir in 1/2 cup thawed frozen peas and 2 tablespoons chopped parsley; season with salt and pepper. Top the tots with the beef mixture and 1 cup shredded cheddar; broil until melted, 1 to 2 minutes.

18. Breakfast Tot-chos: Bake 1 pound tots in a large cast-iron skillet. Crack 6 eggs on top and sprinkle with 1 cup shredded cheddar. Continue baking until the whites are set but the yolks are still runny, 5 to 7 minutes. Top with 6 slices crumbled cooked bacon and 2 tablespoons chopped parsley. Serve with ketchup.

19. Bagel and Smoked Salmon Tot-chos: Bake 28 ounces tots. Top with 4 ounces torn smoked salmon, 1/4 cup shaved red onion, 2 tablespoons chopped dill and 1 tablespoon everything bagel seasoning. For the sauce, puree 2/3 cup sour cream with 2 chopped scallions, 1 teaspoon white wine vinegar, 1/4 teaspoon onion powder and a pinch of salt.

20. Italian Tot-chos: Toss 28 ounces frozen tots with 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning; bake. Top with 1 1/2 cups each warm marinara sauce and shredded mozzarella; broil until melted, 2 minutes. Sprinkle with parmesan and red pepper flakes.

21. Philly Cheesesteak Tot-chos: Bake 1 pound tots. Meanwhile, chop 8 ounces thinly sliced rib-eye steak, then chop; season with salt and pepper. Brown in vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat, 2 minutes. Remove to a plate. Add 2 chopped red bell peppers and 1 chopped onion to the skillet and sauté until just tender, 5 minutes. Add 2 chopped pickled hot cherry peppers (seeded) and 1/4 teaspoon dried oregano; season with salt and pepper. Top the tots with the steak, onion-pepper mixture and warm Cheez Whiz.

22. French Onion Tot-chos: Bake 28 ounces tots. Meanwhile, heat 4 tablespoons butter in a large skillet over medium-low heat. Add 2 sliced onions, season with salt and pepper and cook, stirring occasionally, until caramelized, 30 to 40 minutes. Stir in 2 teaspoons chopped thyme and 1 tablespoon flour, then stir in 3/4 cup beef broth and simmer until thickened, about 3 minutes. Stir in 1 tablespoon dry sherry. Top the tots with the onions, 1 cup grated gruyère and 1/4 cup parmesan; broil until melted, 1 to 2 minutes. Top with chopped chives.

23. Barbecue Tot-chos: Toss 28 ounces frozen tots with 1 teaspoon chipotle chile powder; bake. Top with 2 cups shredded colby jack cheese and continue baking until melted, 1 more minute. Warm 1 cup pulled pork with 1/3 cup chipotle barbecue sauce; spoon over the tots and top with sour cream and chopped scallions.

Photographs by Ralph Smith