Tater tots are a beloved American snack or side dish made of grated and deep-fried potato. Their crispy outside and fluffy interior make them an irresistible finger food. But what should you serve alongside these tasty tidbits? There are many delicious options for accompaniments that can take your tater tots from simple snack to a complete meal. In this article, we’ll explore what drinks, dips, and dishes pair best with everyone’s favorite potato pops.
What are some quick drink options to serve with tater tots?
Tater tots are often served as an appetizer or side dish, so you’ll want a beverage that complements their flavor without overpowering it. Here are some quick drink ideas to consider:
Beer
A crisp, cold beer is a no-brainer with tater tots. Lagers, pilsners, blonde ales, and other light-bodied brews allow the potato flavor to shine through. IPAs can work too depending on personal taste.
Soda
For non-alcoholic pairings, soda is a great option. The sweetness balances the saltiness of the tots. Classic cola, lemon-lime soda, or root beer all make good companions.
Milkshakes
Thick and creamy milkshakes complement the crispy exterior of tater tots. Vanilla, chocolate, or strawberry are safe, crowd-pleasing choices. For adults, try spiking the shake with a shot of bourbon or whiskey.
Iced Tea or Lemonade
For a refreshing, non-caffeinated beverage, freshly brewed iced tea or lemonade are perfect with tater tots. The slight tartness helps cut through the richness.
What are some dip ideas for tater tots?
Dipping tater tots into a sauce adds extra flavor and moisture. Here are some dip ideas to consider alongside your tots:
Ketchup
The classic condiment for pairing with any fried potato. Opt for regular or specialty flavors like sriracha ketchup for a kick.
Ranch
Creamy, herby ranch is a cooling contrast to hot tot crispiness. Use ready-made or try from-scratch ranch dip.
Cheese Sauce
For ultimate comfort food, warm cheese sauce for dipping can’t be beat. Opt for queso, nacho cheese, or a simple cheddar sauce.
Fry Sauce
This Utah staple combines ketchup and mayo for a tangy, creamy dipping option. Add some garlic and onion powders to liven it up.
Horseradish Sauce
For a unique, zippy flavor, blend prepared horseradish into mayonnaise or Greek yogurt for an easy dip.
Guacamole
Fresh guacamole adds creaminess and a hit of green flavor. Either store-bought or homemade would pair well.
Salsa
Similarly, tomato-based salsas add fresh vegetable flavor and spice to balance the starchy tots.
What are good hot dishes to serve with tater tots?
For heartier meals, tater tots pair excellently with hot entrees and dishes. Here are some savory hot options:
Burgers
A juicy burger with all the fixings is a quintessential meal with tater tots on the side. The tots soak up any burger drippings beautifully.
Hot Dogs
Another American classic—hot dogs and tater tots are perfect backyard barbecue fare. Add chili, cheese, sauerkraut, or other toppings to customize.
Nachos
Pile hot tots on nachos loaded with cheese, beans, salsa, guac and more for an over-the-top snack.
Chili
Ladle beef, turkey, or vegetarian chili over a pile of crispy tots for the ultimate comfort food dish.
Poutine
This Canadian specialty features fries, gravy, and cheese curds—but tater tots work just as well!
Pot Pie
For a fun twist, top chicken, veggie or beef pot pies with crunchy tater tots instead of a pie crust.
Baked Potatoes
Trade in russets for hollowed-out tater tots filled with all your favorite baked potato fixings.
Breakfast
Use tater tots as a base for breakfast sandwiches, breakfast bowls, or side to eggs and bacon.
What are some chilled side dishes for tater tots?
For lighter, cooler sides to accompany hot tater tots, consider these chilled options:
Potato Salad
What better than more potatoes!? Creamy, tangy potato salad is a complementary side.
Macaroni Salad
Pasta salads like macaroni, orzo or rotini pair nicely with tater tots for variety of flavors and textures.
Coleslaw
Crunchy coleslaw with a creamy or vinaigrette dressing balances the starchy tots.
Garden Salad
A simple green salad with veggies, cheese, nuts and light dressing offers fresh contrast.
Broccoli Salad
The crunch of raw broccoli florets, raisins, bacon and creamy dressing completes the meal.
Fruit Salad
Fresh fruit like berries, melon and citrus liven up a tot-centered spread.
Cottage Cheese
Lumps of creamy cottage cheese alongside tots give protein and texture contrast.
Yogurt
Similarly, plain Greek yogurt or yogurt-based dips offer protein and cooling balance.
What are the best desserts for pairing with tater tots?
Something sweet after all those salty spuds makes sense. Here are yummy desserts that follow tater tots well:
Ice Cream
It’s hard to top a big scoop of ice cream in flavors like vanilla, chocolate or cookie dough after tot-y appetizers or meals. Add sprinkles for fun.
Milkshakes
As mentioned before, milkshakes also transition perfectly from sip-along to dessert after the tots are gone.
Cookies
Crunchy or chewy cookies like chocolate chip, peanut butter or snickerdoodle are simple but tasty dessert options.
Brownies
Warm, fudgy brownies with melted chocolate are a crowd-pleasing dessert pairing. Add ice cream for à la mode.
Cake
Celebratory occasions call for cake, which complements tater tots’ starchy profile. Choose funfetti, chocolate, yellow or others.
Fried Sweets
For the ultimate fried dessert duo, fry up donut holes, Oreos or other sweets to enjoy after your tater tots.
S’mores
For informal gatherings, offer DIY s’mores roasting over a fire for a nostalgic treat post-tots.
Apple Pie
Warm apple pie with ice cream satisfies sweet cravings after savoring savory tater tots.
Top tips for serving tater tots
To recap, here are some top tips for serving scrumptious accompaniments to beloved tater tots:
Match textures
Pair crispy tots with creamy dips, smooth milkshakes, or cold crunchy salads. Avoid serving only soft or only crunchy components.
Vary flavors
Balance the potato-y tot flavor with sweet, savory, spicy or tangy complements. Don’t be afraid to experiment!
Suit the occasion
Make informal gatherings fun with dipping sauces and buildable nacho/tots platters. Offer meal-worthy sides for heartier appetites.
Consider convenience
Ready-made dips and dressings shorten prep time. For potlucks, dishes that travel well like salads or room temp options work best.
Satisfy cravings
If post-tot sweet cravings hit, have simple desserts like cookies or ice cream on hand to satisfy.
Stay hydrated
Provide a range of thirst-quenching beverages from beer and soda to iced tea, lemonade or water.
The possibilities for what to serve with beloved tater tots are endless! With the right combinations of dips, dishes, drinks and desserts, you can create the perfect meal or snack spread to satisfy any occasion or craving. So next time tater tots are on the menu, use these recommendations to make it a well-rounded, crowd-pleasing affair.
Conclusion
Tater tots are an iconic snack and side, but what you serve with them can take them to the next level. Whether enjoying tots as an appetizer or meal, pair them with complementary beverages, dips, dishes, and desserts. Crisp, cold beer or soda, creamy ranch dressing, hearty chili, fresh garden salad, and nostalgic cookies or ice cream are all great options. Match textures and flavors, consider convenience and occasion, and satisfy cravings for the perfect tot-centered spread. With so many delicious possibilities, get creative with how you serve up everyone’s favorite potato pops!
