Potato Tots

Chef

Cookbook

Traditional tots are made from russet potatoes, but I like to grate in a little bit of sweet potato or yam. Keeping the skins on helps to preserve some of the nutrients, so give your potatoes a good scrub instead of a peel. This recipe, adapted from one by Cooks Country magazine, churns out light, fluffy tots with a crispy crust every time. The corn flour and ground millet flour give the tots a little extra crunch, but it’s OK to substitute whole-wheat flour if you prefer.

Serves100 tots

Cooking MethodFrying

CostInexpensive

Kid FriendlyYes

OccasionGame Day

Recipe CourseSide Dish, Snack, Starch

Dietary ConsiderationEgg-free, Halal, Kosher, Lactose-free, Vegan, Vegetarian

EquipmentBaking/gratin Dish, Food Processor

MealKid Snack, Snack

Taste and TextureCrisp, Hot & Spicy, Savory

Ingredients

5 to 6 medium russet potatoes (2 pound), cut into chunks
1 medium sweet potato or yam (¼ pound), cut into chunks
2 cups cold water
2½ teaspoons kosher salt, divided
2 teaspoons corn flour
2 teaspoons ground millet flour
Pinch of cayenne pepper
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
Safflower or peanut oil, for frying

Instructions

Place the russet potatoes and sweet potato into the bowl of a food processor fitted with a metal cutting blade. Pulse 5 or 6 times until coarsely ground.
In a large bowl, combine the cold water and 2 teaspoons of the salt. Add the potatoes and stir to coat. Drain well through a fine sieve, pushing out as much water as you can.
Transfer the potatoes to a microwave-safe bowl and heat for 4 minutes. Stir and heat for another 4 minutes. Stir in the corn flour, ground millet flour, cayenne, and the remaining ½ teaspoon salt.
Line a 9-inch square pan with parchment and pour in the potato mixture. Spread it evenly and let the mixture cool to room temperature. Chill in the freezer for 20 minutes.
Once the potato mixture is frozen, cut it into 1-by-½-inch tots. Line a baking sheet with parchment and set aside.
Heat at least 2 inches of oil in a heavy-bottomed pot to 370°F. Fry the tots in batches, being sure not to crowd the pot, until golden brown, about 1 to 2 minutes. Remove the tots with a slotted spoon and place them on the prepared baking