Description
Crispy homemade Tater Tot Pizza combines classic comfort foods with creative culinary genius. Cheesy potato bites create a crunchy base that pizza fans will absolutely devour.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 lb (454 g) frozen tater tots, thawed
- 8 oz (226 g) pepperoni slices (or other favorite toppings)
- 1 ½ cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1 cup marinara or pizza sauce
- ½ tsp Italian seasoning
- ¼ tsp garlic powder
- Salt, to taste
- Black pepper, to taste
- Fresh basil
- Grated Parmesan cheese
- Red pepper flakes
Instructions
- Crust Preparation: Distribute thawed tater tots uniformly across a large cast iron skillet, creating a seamless base with zero gaps.
- Initial Baking: Place skillet in a preheated oven at 400F (200C) for 15 minutes, pressing tots midway to establish a compact, crispy foundation.
- Flavor Layering: Spread marinara sauce evenly, then dust with garlic powder, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper to enhance taste dimensions.
- Cheese and Topping Arrangement: Strategically sprinkle half the mozzarella cheese, layer pepperoni slices, then complete with remaining cheese to ensure comprehensive coverage.
- Final Baking: Increase oven temperature to 425F (220C) and bake 10-15 minutes until cheese melts into a luxurious golden bubble and crust achieves maximum crispiness.
- Presentation: Remove from oven, let cool briefly, optionally garnish with fresh basil and Parmesan, then slice into wedges for serving.
Notes
- Optimize Tater Tot Placement: Arrange tots tightly without gaps to create a solid, crispy pizza base that holds together perfectly.
- Compress for Structural Integrity: Use a spatula to firmly press tots, creating a uniform foundation that prevents crumbling and ensures even cooking.
- Control Moisture Carefully: Avoid excess sauce to prevent soggy crust; use a light, even layer of marinara to maintain the tater tot base’s crispiness.
- Customize for Dietary Needs: Swap pepperoni with vegetable toppings or plant-based alternatives for vegetarian options, and use dairy-free cheese for lactose-intolerant individuals.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 5
- Calories: 400
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 800 mg
- Fat: 22 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 36 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 16 g
- Cholesterol: 40 mg