Sloppy Jo Tater Tot Skillet Recipe (2024)

FAQs

How do they get tater tots to stick together? ›

We know that what keeps the Tater Tots stuck together is a combination of two pretty sticky things: moist starches and proteins. The more they come in contact with each other, the stickier they become, and the tighter/gummier the Tater Tots will be.

If you're cooking for more than one serving size worth of tater tots but want to keep them warm while the next batch student is cooking, a good trick will be to keep them in the oven at a temperature of 200°F. They'll remain crispy and delicious until they're all cooked.

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. Wait a few seconds after you put the items in the oil and take a metal spoon and separate any that are stuck together. It's important to do this early in the frying process.

Fry until they're golden brown and crispy, about 3-4 minutes, turning occasionally for even cooking. Remove the tater tots from the oil using a slotted spoon and place them on a plate lined with paper towels to drain any excess oil. Season with a bit more salt while they're still hot.

Yes, you can bake frozen tater tots without thawing them first. In fact, it's recommended to bake them from frozen to ensure they cook evenly and become crispy on the outside.

The formed tater tots are then pre-fried in vegetable oil to partially cook them and give them a crisp exterior. After pre-frying, the tater tots are quickly cooled using industrial coolers or freezers to maintain food safety standards and preserve the quality of the product.

Salt: Omit if the tots have salt added already. You can always salt them when they come out of the oven if needed.

I love to have sloppy Joe on a toasted bun or onion roll with melted cheese. If I'm feeling fancified, I sometimes sauté some onion and bell pepper to toss in the mix. You could add a little more vegetable if you wanted with finely diced carrot for sweetness, mushrooms if you like them, and black beans.

Manwich, a portmanteau of man and sandwich, is the brand name of a canned sloppy joe sauce produced by ConAgra Foods and Hunt's, introduced in 1969.

What can I use to thicken sloppy joes? ›

It is not necessary to thaw frozen tots before pan frying them. You can cook them directly from frozen, but you may need to adjust the cooking time to ensure they are heated through.

You want them crispy, tater tots need to be cooked at a high temperature for this to happen. 375-400F is great, I find 375F the sweet spot to get them crispy but to also cook the inside before the outside burns.

The sticky-starchy of the potatoes is the binder, remember, and too many other ingredients will make your tots crumble.

Absolutely! Deep frying frozen tater tots is a popular method to achieve a crispy and golden exterior. Preheat your frying oil to around 350°F (175°C), then carefully place the frozen tots into the hot oil. Fry them for approximately 4-5 minutes or until they turn golden brown.

You want to choose a pan that has a flat bottom with high edges that are either sloped or straight. Be sure that it is wide enough for what you are cooking, as you will not want to overcrowd the pan. Heat the pan on medium-high. Unless you have a non-stick pan, you should heat the pan before you add the oil.