ANIMAL STYLE TATER TOTS😍

If you’ve ever been to Bubs in San Diego, you know their animal style tater tots are the most FIRE item on the entire menu. I’ve slowly but surely been trying to recreate them for the past year now, and finally nailed it, just in time for the SuperBowl! You only need a few ingredients to throw this together, and considering you can make most of the components ahead of time, it’s perfect for those that still want to watch the game (or the commercials if that’s more your jam)! You’ve gotta try this!

A few notes before starting:

• It is most traditional with In n Out fries to top with American cheese and melt. I tried this first, but just like In n Out fries, it does bother me that the cheese hardens in seconds. If you don’t mind this, keep as is. If you do, I’d recommend using a store bought melted nacho cheese that you warm ahead of time and drizzle over top.

• I tested a million copycat In n Out spread recipes online and found that all of them were either too sweet, too lacking in flavor, too ketchupy, too far from the real deal, etc. The one I tried that was the closest, was this one by Kenji: https://www.seriouseats.com/recipes/2010/07/in-n-outs-double-double-animal-style-burger-recipe.html I adapted it slightly, as I found using a bit more ketchup and less sugar tasted more like the real deal, but use what you like!

• The onions take awhile to caramelize, but most of the time is hands off time. Start these first, so you can work on the sauce while they caramelize and the tots can be baking in the oven. 

Serves 4-6.

Ingredients:

For the Animal Style Tater Tots:

• 24oz frozen tater tots (I like Ore-Ida)

• 6 slices American cheese (or ½ cup warmed nacho cheese) *See note

• 1 large yellow onion, diced finely

• 2 tbsps olive oil

• 2 tsps brown sugar

• 2 tbsps water

• Salt to taste

For the In n Out Inspired Spread:

• 3 tbsps mayonnaise 

• 1 ½ tbsps ketchup

• 2 tsps dill pickle relish or chopped pickles (do not use sweet relish)

• 1 tsp white vinegar

• Salt to taste

Directions:

For the Animal Style Tater Tots:

• Place a large skillet on medium heat and add in the olive oil.

• Add onions and season with salt. Spread out in a single layer and cook, stirring every few minutes for 15 minutes until soft and light brown.

• Reduce heat to low and simmer another 10-15 minutes until browned and deeply caramelized. 

• While your onions are cooking, make the spread by mixing the mayonnaise, ketchup, dill pickle relish, vinegar, and salt to taste. Cover and let sit in fridge until serving.

• Cook tater tots according to package instructions. I used my air fryer and cooked them at 400 degrees for 15 minutes, shaking halfway through.

• Add brown sugar and water to the onions, and cook on low for another 2 minutes. Shut off heat.

• Add tater tots to a baking sheet and cover with cheese. Broil for 1 minute or until melted.

• Top with onions and spread and serve immediately. Enjoy!