With the speed of modern lifestyles comes the eternal struggle between easy and healthy food options. Can you microwave tater tots? The answer is yes, but it pays to read the instructions on the pack first.
If you’re using frozen tater tots, begin by prepping them according to the instructions. For best results, arrange the potato pieces in a single layer on a microwave-safe plate or dish. Place a damp paper towel or light covering over them before heating on high power for three minutes. Depending on your microwave wattage, you may need to increase or decrease the time interval slightly. Check after three minutes and assess if they are cooked through. If not, microwave for an additional 30 seconds or so until they’re crispy and golden brown. Turn the pieces over halfway through cooking for evenness and remove from microwave promptly when done as overcooking leads to sogginess.
For home-made tater tots - made from freshly grated potatoes - choose as much as possible organic produce free of GMOs and other artificial additives. Be sure that all ingredients, potatoes included, are cooked through prior assembling into tot shapes as these too can be microwaved but more care needs to be taken than with their pre-packaged variety. Once assembled into little rounds and placed upon the plate (in a single layer please!) cover with a damp paper towel or light covering before heating in your microwave for one minute per side at high power – again checking regularly and stopping when desired crispness is achieved rather than risking dry or burnt edges (they can be easily popped back into microwave once removed at this stage). Don’t forget to turn pieces mid-way through cooking!
In conclusion, tater tots can certainly adequately be cooked using a microwave but require time and effort in order achieve all their crunchy goodness without adding hidden nasties like hydrogenated oils which are often applied during commercial production processes. That said – with just few steps – you can quickly enjoy some healthy homemade tater tot goodness whenever those potato cravings strike!
How long can you microwave tater tots for?
Microwaving tater tots is one of the most convenient and delicious ways to prepare this classic side dish. But nailing the cooking time is vital for achieving the perfect crispy-on-the-outside, soft-on-the-inside tots that everyone loves. If you’re wondering how long you should microwave tater tots for, it depends on the wattage of your microwave – but in most cases, it’ll take between 4 and 6 minutes.
For microwaves with a lower heat setting of 700 watts and below, start by heating the tater tots on a plate or in a single layer in a microwave-safe dish for 5 minutes on HIGH. At this wattage setting, it should take around 7 minutes to reach an optimal level of crispiness and done-ness. For microwaves with higher settings above 750 watts, reduce that cooking time by 2 minutes - so 4 minutes on HIGH is usually about perfect for higher powered microwaves.
No matter which wattage you’re working with, always be sure to check your tater tots before fully committing – making sure you can determine whether they’ve reached your desired level of crispitude or if an extra minute or two is required! A longer cook time can quickly turn your dreamy batch into Mr. Burns-approved ‘soles of shoe’ consistency; nobody wants that sort of travesty occurring in their kitchen!
Is it possible to make crispy tater tots in the microwave?
Making crispy tater tots in the microwave might seem like a tall order, but it’s totally doable! All it takes is a few simple ingredients and the right technique to get deliciously crunchy homemade tater tots. The key to success here is getting your tater tots super hot and baking them on a flat surface.
First of all, you’ll need your ingredients. You’ll need about 1½ cups of potatoes, about half an onion, one egg, and some vegetable oil or cooking spray. You also need to cut all your potatoes into small cubes. Then mix all the ingredients together in a bowl excluding the oil or cooking spray, and shape into 2” x 2” sized tot-shaped pieces. Line up the potato mixture in a single layer onto an oven-safe dish (like pyrex) ensuring that the tater tots don’t overlap each other. Then lightly brush each tater tot with oil or cooking spray and microwave for 3 minutes intervals until they are golden brown in color and visibly crisp on the outside. Go ahead add that extra minute if needed until they get crispy enough to satisfy even the most dedicated potato lovers!
Voila! There you have it - crispy homemade tater tots that were made right there in your microwave oven. While they may not be as crunchy as oven-baked versions of tater tots, microwaved ones can still satisfy that craving for something salty, satisfying and delish! And best of all - these creations require minimal effort and just a few ingredients!
What settings do you need to use to cook tater tots in a microwave?
Cooking tater tots in the microwave is a quick and easy way to enjoy this classic side dish. Tater tots will come out warm and golden-brown - just like they came out of an oven. To optimize your cooking results and make sure your tater tots come out delicious, here are some tips on the ideal settings to use.
For starters, make sure you’re using microwave-safe containers or plates when cooking your tater tots. Don’t use containers with metal decor, as this can damage your oven. Next, line the container with a paper towel, as this helps remove excess grease and oil from the potatoes. For best results, spread the tater tots in an even layer so that each one gets cooked thoroughly throughout.
When it comes to setting your microwave correctly, start off with a heat setting of 7 or 8 for three minutes on full power. Be sure you check on them half way through as microwaves vary and some might need more time or slightly less time than recommended. Once they appear golden-brown and crispy at a slightly higher heat setting of 10 should do the trick. If needed, feel free to tweak the settings until you get the desired doneness level for each and every tater tot.
To ensure optimal cooking results, it's essential that you use the correct settings when preparing your meals in a microwave oven including tater tots. With these tips in mind you should be able enjoy tasty tater tot snacks any day of week!
