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National Tater Tot Day

Food · February 2

A day for tater tots, the small crisp cylinders of grated potato that turn up in school cafeterias, diners and home freezers across the country.

National Tater Tot Day falls on Tuesday, February 2, 2027. That is 98 days away.

Tater tots are small cylinders of grated potato, seasoned, shaped and fried or baked until the outside turns crisp and golden. Inside they stay soft and a little fluffy. They are usually sold frozen, which is why so many American kitchens have a bag tucked behind the ice trays.

The appeal is mostly texture. A good tot has a crunchy shell with ridges that catch salt and sauce, and a center that tastes plainly of potato. They are bite sized, so they work as a side dish, a snack or something to pass around a table without plates.

People eat them with ketchup, ranch, cheese sauce or hot sauce. Some cover them with chili and cheese. Others bake them into a casserole with ground beef and cream soup, a dish that shows up at potlucks in parts of the Midwest. Loaded versions with bacon, sour cream and green onions borrow from the baked potato.

Cooking them well comes down to heat and space. Tots spread out in a single layer on a hot sheet pan or in an air fryer crisp up evenly, while a crowded pan tends to steam them soft. Flipping them halfway through helps both sides brown.

The shape is part of the charm. A tot is about the size of a thumb, and most people find it hard to stop at one.

Ways to celebrate

• Bake a batch in a single layer and compare three dipping sauces.
• Try topping tots with chili and shredded cheese for dinner.
• Make a tater tot casserole to share with friends or neighbors.
• Order tots as your side next time you visit a local diner.

Dates

All national days on February 2

Also on February 2

• Groundhog Day
• Sled Dog Day
• Crêpe Day
• National Heavenly Hash Day
• Play Your Ukulele Day

Categories: Food days