Use up leftover mashed potatoes or colcannon and make a batch of these delicious little tater tots. Perfect for little fingers and using up leftovers.
If you were around the other day, you would have noticed my recipe for Colcannon (aka Irish Potatoes). Well, I don’t know how it could be possible, but if perchance you had some leftovers, I am going to share with you my favorite way to use up leftover colcannon or leftover mashed potatoes: tater tots.
How Easy Is It To Make Homemade Tater Tots?
The best bit? They freeze really well, and it’s the perfect snack for little fingers.
This is really easy. Simply:
- take a loaded teaspoon full of mashed potato;
- roll it into a little ball;
- bak;
- and voila you have your own homemade tater tots.
Couldn’t be easier.
Using Colcannon, instead of traditional plain ol' mashed potatoes is a great way to get some extra veggies into little bellies without too much haranguing. Kids tend to love anything that looks like tater tots (at least all the kids I know do), and will happily overlook the green bits hidden within. And I mean, look how delicious those potatoes look:
Paired with some dipping sauce, these are sure to go down a treat.
What If I Have Leftover Tots?
If you have leftover tater tots too (clearly you have no food monsters living in your house), just roll the balls, pop them onto a baking sheet making sure they don't touch, and then pop them into the freezer until frozen. Once frozen then transfer to a large Ziploc bag until needed. When you are ready, pull them out and continue from step four, adding about 5-10 minutes to the baking time.
Otherwise try making this tater tot casserole.
I can bet there won't be any leftovers though - mine didn't even make it off the baking sheet before my husband had eaten the entire batch.
More Tater Tots and Bites?
If you need more tater tot and little bites inspiration, then check these out:
- Veggie Loaded Tater Tots
- Ricotta and Cauliflower Tater Tots
- Baked Zucchini, Feta, and Quinoa Bites
- 5 Ingredient Cheddar and Riced Broccoli Fritters
Hope you enjoy. Let me know if the little ones love these leftover mashed potato tater tots. Happy Eating 🙂
Recipe
Leftover Mashed Potato Tater Tots
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Ingredients
- 2 cups Leftover mashed potato refrigerated (see notes for recipe)
- 3 tablespoon tomato ketchup for serving (or store bought)
Instructions
- Pre-heat oven to 425
- Take a heaped teaspoon of leftover mashed potato and roll into a ball shape
- Pop onto a baking sheet line with parchment paper, and continue until you have as many tots as you want
- Pop into the oven and bake for 20 mins. Use tongs to flip tots (you may need to give the a bit of a squeeze to re-shape them at this point), pop back into the oven for another 20 mins
- Serve hot with some homemade tomato ketchup
Crystal Harris says
Super easy! Love this. I used a cookie scoop. What a great use of leftover potatoes!
Donna says
Love the idea of using a cookie scoop!
Mel McHelle says
I think this is a GENIUS idea! I am wondering if, instead of the tots form, could I do the same thing but make potato patties/pancakes instead? And freeze those?
Bethany @ athletic avocado says
WOW these tater tots >>>>>>>>> regular tater tots! What a super creative way to make my favorite finger food!
Lisa at celebrate creativity says
Hi Donna, what a fun take on "tater tots". Great idea and your pictures are just delightful. Beautiful food styling.
My pleasure to browse around.
Happy day!
Donna1 says
Oh thank you so much for your lovely words Lisa 🙂
Bam's Kitchen says
These are the cutest little tator tons! My boys are going to love these. It is difficult to find tator tots in HK so looking forward to making yours instead.
Donna1 says
That makes to happy 🙂 I hope they love them as much as my little ones do!