Fully Loaded Stuffed Homemade Tator Tots

OK so these are the best and I mean the best damn tator tots eva! I can not believe how awesome they turned out. I will admit I had to play around with this recipe a bit. I originally wanted to bake them. So I did and it failed....epically. Everything oozed out and made a big mess. So into the fryer they went. Sometimes you just have to fry things.

Frying was the way to go. They turned out perfect. Who doesn't love crispy spuds? Who doesn't love crispy spuds stuffed with amazingness? If you don't we can't be friends ever. Just kidding! 

Look inside! Bacon, cheese, chives and all the seasonings all wrapped up in a crispy panko shell. Ello luv! I am not going to lie this recipe is a bit time consuming. The time though is well worth it! 

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Ingredients

3 cups leftover mashed potatoes (cold)

4 strips bacon, cooked and chopped finely

1/4 cup chopped chives

1 cup grated cheddar cheese

1/4 cup sour cream

2 eggs

1 tablespoon cajun seasoning

1/2 cup flour

2 cups panko bread crumbs

vegetable oil (or other frying oil)

Directions
In a large bowl, combine the mashed potatoes, bacon, chives, cheese, and sour cream. Stir to combine.

Beat the eggs and set aside. Add the flour to a bowl and mix with the cajun seasoning.

Add about a tablespoon of the potato mixture into the flour. With your hands shape into a tot, and add to egg then, panko bread crumbs. Roll to coat. Use your hands to reshape back into a tater tot if necessary. Place on a baking sheet or plate. Continue with the remainder of the potatoes.

Place the tots into the freezer for 30 minutes.

Heat about an inch of oil in a heavy duty skillet over medium heat. (If you have a thermometer, you want the oil at about 350F.) Test the oil by dropping one tater tot in the oil. It should take about 2-3 minutes to cook. If it cooks too fast, turn the temperature down. Cook the tots in batches until they are golden brown. Removing each one when done from the oil to drain on a paper towel lined plate. Salt and serve with your favorite dipping sauce.

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