Pizza Tots

Who said pizza needs a traditional doughy crust? We’ve seen pizza crusts made with cauliflower, zucchini, portobello mushrooms and pita bread. These pizza tots top them all. I’ve always been a sucker for combo dishes, and this nontraditional pizza idea is pure mashup magic.

Crispy, golden Tater Tots form a pizza base piled high with mozzarella, tangy sauce and pepperoni. Make pizza tots once and they’ll be your new go-to for game days, late nights and any evening you don’t feel like wrestling with pizza dough. If you have time, elevate the dish using scratch-made sauce and tots. But this recipe is just as satisfying when you let the freezer aisle do the heavy lifting.

Ingredients for Pizza Tots

• Frozen miniature Tater Tots: Mini Tater Tots get super crispy in the oven and cook faster than regular-sized tots, making a perfect pizza base. If you use regular-sized tots, you may need to bake them a bit longer before adding the toppings. If you love the process, homemade tots are delightful.
• Pizza sauce: A tangy, tomato-rich layer pushes the tots into classic pizza territory. A jarred version works great, but making homemade pizza sauce is quicker than you think!
• Shredded mozzarella cheese: One of the best melting cheeses, mozzarella provides that essential cheese-pull moment we all secretly crave.
• Pepperoni: For that classic pizza vibe, pepperoni adds salty, savory and slightly spicy notes. Arrange the slices artfully or scatter them haphazardly—you can’t go wrong.
• Italian seasoning: A famous blend of oregano, garlic, basil and black pepper, Italian seasoning brightens the flavors and makes the whole tray smell like your favorite pizzeria.
• Crushed red pepper flakes: These are optional, but they are an excellent way to add a little heat to balance all the melty richness of these pizza Tater Tots.

Directions

Step 1: Bake the Tater Tots

On a 12-inch pizza pan, bake the Tater Tots according to the package directions.

Editor’s Tip: If you prefer your tots extra-crispy, add a couple of minutes to the baking time before proceeding to the next step.

Step 2: Add the pizza toppings

Top with the pizza sauce and cheese.

Add the pepperoni. Sprinkle with Italian seasoning and, if desired, pepper flakes.

Step 3: Bake until bubbly

Bake for five to seven minutes longer or until the cheese melts.

Pizza Tot Variations

• Top it supremely: Add cooked sausage, diced peppers, onions and black olives for a tot-based version of “the works.”
• Bring on the barbecue: Use your favorite barbecue sauce recipe instead of pizza sauce, then top the tots with shredded cooked chicken, mozzarella and red onions.
• Keep it veggie: Pile on mushrooms, bell peppers, spinach and zucchini. It’s practically health food because, well, vegetables.
• Make it a white pizza: Skip the red sauce and spread garlic butter over the tots, then top them with ricotta, mozzarella and spinach.
• Have it Hawaiian: For the people who passionately defend pineapple on pizza, pineapple chunks and Canadian bacon are welcome here.

How to Store Pizza Tots

If you somehow end up with leftovers (good luck with that), store pizza Tater Tots in an airtight container in the fridge. Like regular pizza, they’ll last up to four days in the refrigerator but may get soggy after one or two days.

How do you reheat pizza tots?

Reheat pizza tots in a 375°F oven for about 10 minutes until they’re hot and crispy. You can also use an air fryer for faster, extra-crunchy results.

Pizza Tot Tips

How else can you make pizza tots?

You can make pizza tots in an air fryer! Start with air-fryer Tater Tots, cooked at 400° until crisp, then top with sauce, cheese and toppings. Return the tots to the air fryer for another couple of minutes to melt the cheese.

What can you serve with pizza tots?

Pizza Tater Tots pair perfectly with anything typically served with pizza. For balance, go with a crisp green salad, or lean into indulgence and serve the tots with garlic bread and a variety of chicken wings. They also make an excellent addition to a game-day snack board alongside nachos, sliders and dips. Finally, finish off your dinner pizza-delivery-style with a massive cinnamon roll casserole.