Ingredients:

  • 8 oz Ground Beef (80/20 mix)
  • 1/4 cup Yellow Onion, finely diced
  • 1 tsp Worcestershire Sauce
  • 1/2 tsp Smoked Paprika
  • 1/2 tsp Garlic Powder
  • Salt and Black Pepper, To taste
  • 1 lbs Russet Potatoes, peeled (Approx. 2 large potatoes)
  • 1 cup Sharp Cheddar Cheese, grated
  • 2 Tbsp All-Purpose Flour
  • 2 Tbsp Cornstarch
  • 1 Large Egg Yolk
  • 1/2 tsp Salt
  • 4 cups Vegetable or Canola Oil (for deep frying)

Instructions:

  1. Cook the Beef Filling: Sauté the diced onion until softened (3–4 minutes). Add the ground beef and cook, breaking it up, until browned. Drain off all excess grease meticulously. Stir in the Worcestershire, paprika, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Set aside to cool completely.
  2. Prepare the Potatoes: Peel and roughly chop the potatoes. Boil them gently until just tender (al dente, about 10–12 minutes). Do not overcook.
  3. Dry and Grate the Potatoes: Immediately drain the hot potatoes well. Once cool enough to handle, grate them or pass them through a potato ricer. Spread the potato onto a clean tea towel and squeeze out as much residual moisture as possible. Excess water equals mushy tots.
  4. Form the Tot Mixture: In a large bowl, combine the dried potato, cooked beef filling, grated cheddar cheese, flour, cornstarch, egg yolk, and salt. Mix gently but thoroughly until everything is evenly distributed. Do not overwork the mixture.
  5. Shape the Tots: Take tablespoon-sized portions of the mixture. Roll into a rough sphere, then gently flatten the sides to form the classic small cylinder shape (about 1.5 inches long).
  6. Chill Firmly: Arrange the shaped tots on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Place the tray in the freezer for a minimum of 30 minutes (up to 2 hours). This chilling is mandatory to ensure they hold their shape perfectly during cooking.
  7. Heat the Oil (Deep Fry Method): Heat the oil in a deep fryer or heavy pot to 350°F (175°C). Maintain the temperature accurately using a thermometer.
  8. Cook the Tots: Working in small batches, carefully drop the frozen tots into the hot oil. Fry for 4–6 minutes, turning occasionally, until deeply golden brown and crispy.
  9. Drain and Season: Remove the tots using a slotted spoon. Place them immediately onto a wire rack lined with paper towels to drain excess oil. Sprinkle generously with fine sea salt immediately after draining.
  10. (Air Fryer Alternative): Preheat the air fryer to 400°F (200°C). Lightly spray the tots with cooking oil spray. Cook for 10–15 minutes, flipping halfway, until golden and crispy.