This Waffle Iron Tater Tots recipe makes the most delicious and savory breakfast in 10 minutes! Drop a fried egg on top and you will have a deluxe breakfast in no time. You can make this recipe any day of the week and top your tater tot waffle with whatever topping you like!
I always want a delicious breakfast, but I don't want it to take forever to make. Enter the Waffle Iron Tater Tots! This has quickly become one of my favorite breakfasts for many reasons: they are crispy, a little salty, and really, really easy to make.
All you need is some frozen tater tots and a waffle maker and you are in business! That being said, I also like to add a fried egg to the top just to keep make sure I have a nice rounded-out breakfast 😂. I am one of those people who can't resist a runny egg yolk. But if that's not your jam, try something else. I give you some ideas in this post.
How to Make Waffle Iron Tater Tots
- Preheat the waffle iron on med-high heat. Carefully place the defrosted, slightly warmed tater tots in the middle of the waffle iron.
- Press down the lid as much as you can. As the tater tots cook, you can press down a little more to make sure they are pressed and nice and crispy.
- Cook the tater tot waffle for 4-5 minutes. Carefully remove the waffle using a fork and enjoy it immediately.
How to Quickly Defrost Frozen Tater Tots
Since tater tots usually come in frozen form, you will want to defrost them before placing them in the waffle iron. I find it's easier to shape them and they cook faster. Simply place the tater tots in a microwave-safe bowl and defrost them for 1 minute. Stir them and cook them for another 2 minutes. They should be unfrozen (or mostly unfrozen). Don't worry if they look a little soggy, they will crisp right up in the waffle maker.
What to Put on Top of a Tater Tot Waffle
My first choice is a fried egg. There is nothing better than something crispy like a tater tot waffle with a runny egg on top, in my opinion. But, if you don't care for runny eggs or don't like eggs at all, here are a few more ideas:
- scrambled eggs
- bacon
- sausage
- syrup
- ketchup
- sour cream and chives
Which Waffle Maker To Use
I used my Cuisinart waffle maker to make my tater tot waffles. I like it because it's not too big and not too small, it's just right, LOL! This recipe should work in any waffle iron. If your waffle maker is larger or a Belgian style, you may need to add more tater tots. Every waffle iron will perform differently, of course, but these tater tot waffles are pretty easy to adapt.
More Recipes to Check Out
- Lavender Sourdough Discard Scones with Lemon Glaze
- Lavender Pancakes with Lavender Honey
- Banana Muffins with Cream Cheese Frosting
- Air Fryer Toasted Coconut Lime Donuts
Waffle Iron Tater Tots
Equipment
- waffle iron
Ingredients
- 1½ cups frozen tater tots (about 28)
- 1 large egg (optional, but highly recommended)
Instructions
- Preheat the waffle iron on med-high heat. Place the frozen tater tots in a microwave-safe bowl and defrost for 1 minute. Stir the tots and place them back in the microwave and cook for 2 minutes. They should be unfrozen by now (or mostly). If they are a little mushy, don't worry, they crisp right up in the waffle iron.
- Open the hot waffle iron and carefully place the tater tots in the middle, spreading them out in a circle (or square if that is the shape of your waffle maker). Press down the lid as much as you can. As the tater tots cook, you can press down more.
- Cook the tater tot waffle for 4-5 minutes. Continue to check on the waffle as it's cooking to make sure it doesn't burn. The tater tots will turn a nice dark brown and should be crispy. Carefully remove the waffle using a fork. Enjoy immediately!
Notes
- Always read and follow the instructions and safety guideilines of your gadget.
Nutrition
Any nutrition calculations are only estimates using online calculators. Please verify using your own data.
Did you make these Waffle Iron Tater Tots?
I hope you enjoy these Waffle Iron Tater Tots as much as I do! Please leave a comment below and feel free to tag me on Instagram or Facebook if you would like.
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Candi says
Can you please advise where/when the egg is used, if using? Thanks so much in advance. Can't wait to try these!
Emily says
Hi Candi. I add a fried egg after I cook the tater tots in the waffle iron. You could also scramble some eggs and place them on top or skip the egg altogether. If you do like eggs, I highly recommend a fried egg with a runny yolk, it pairs perfectly with the crispy tot waffle. Enjoy!
Lilly says
So good! And so fun to make!
Debra says
OMG....so easy....and the kids adored them!
Emily says
So glad to hear it, Debra. This is definitely the perfect recipe for kids!
Suzy says
This is such a genius idea! Really love how quick and easy this is to make AND the tip for defrosting the tater tots! Worked like a charm!
Emily says
Thank you, Suzy! Anything quick and easy is right up my alley!
Beth says
Wow! This was so delicious and I loved the crispness! My teens loved it and so did my hubby! I can’t wait to make these again!
Emily says
Beth, I'm so glad everyone enjoyed these waffles. It's great to find something everyone loves!
Hmw says
Is it inappropriate to say shut up and take my money? 🙂 these look so easy and delicious!
Emily says
LOL🤣! Nope, not in my book! Enjoy!!
Katie says
I’ve got to make this for my kids! They love tater tots!
Emily says
Katie, I hope you and your kids have so much fun making and eating these!
Sarah says
This is JUST the recipe I was looking for. I enjoy making breakfast every morning and I like my hash browns extra crispy. This totally fits the bill.
Emily says
Yes! This will be the perfect recipe for the crispiest hash browns around!
Elise says
Wow I am literally obsessed with tater tots and this sounds like the perfect upgrade. Going to try this ASAP! I love the idea of adding chives to it!
Emily says
Oh, I have a minor tater tot obsession myself 😂. You are going to love these!
Brianna May says
So good!!
Tracey says
What a fun idea to use tater tots with the waffle iron. So tasty and easy to make.
Emily says
Thanks, Tracey!
Elizabeth says
These look so delicious - I badly want to try them!
Emily says
I hope you do!!
Jamie says
This is so clever using a waffle iron! Great idea!
Emily says
I know I'm not the first to do it, but it does create a delicious breakfast!
Raquel says
These were so tasty - everyone loved them!
Emily says
So glad to hear it 😊.
Leslie says
Absolute perfection!
Amanda says
Why did I not think of this before? So fun and so easy...the kids love it!
Emily says
Right?!? The kids are going to love them!
Angela says
Super crunchy! What a great way to shake up breakfast.
Emily says
I totally agree, Angela! I love these tot waffles.
Gina says
I prefer waffle iron tater tots. They are so crunchy and so delicious!
Emily says
I Totally agree!😁
Sue says
Best use of a waffle iron yet! I had mine with a fried egg and can't wait for tomorrow when I can do it again! YUM
Emily says
These can definitely be addicting, 😂...enjoy!
Cindy Mom the Lunch Lady says
This is such a great idea! I need to add tater tots to my grocery list!
Emily says
Yup, I have them on hand all the time now...which may be good or bad 😂
Gabriela says
I can't wait to try this tomorrow for breakfast with hasbrowns. Yummy. I'm intrigued.
Emily says
You are going to love it, I promise!😁
Nora says
What a fun idea! I was not aware that you can do that with frozen tater tots in a waffle iron! Thanks for sharing!
Emily says
You are welcome!!
Colette says
Dang, these look good! What a brilliant idea. I always have tater tots in my freezer because my kids love them. But you're right; they take a long time to cook, so I love the idea of cooking them in a waffle maker. I think these will be great with bacon and eggs. I can't wait. Thanks for the tips!
Emily says
😂 They are pretty delicious I must say and if you already have them in the freezer, even better!!
Christina's Bread Bakes says
So easy and clever! My kids love these with the egg on top for breakfast . I love that they get a good breakfast before school.
Emily says
They are a perfect breakfast before school! Have fun making these with the kiddos!