Totchos with a fried egg on top!
This recipe was originally shared on October 2, 2012. I recently updated the photos and added more step by step photos!
Snack, appetizer or meal? I'm not sure but I first had ‘totchos' in Portland earlier this year and believe me they were memorable. Totchos are tater tot nachos! Instead of tortilla chips, the tater tots serve as nacho chips…and usually topped with nacho cheese and other toppings, they are amazing.
Original photo from when this recipe was originally published October 2, 2012
First, make the pico de gallo. This is my no fuss way to make pico and we love it on top of tacos and with fajitas.
Cut up the tomatoes.
I have to show you how to cut jalapenos. First wear gloves…you don't want to accidentally touch your eyes later in the day and scream! Not that I know from experience.
Cut both ends off and then cut in half lengthwise. Then, working on one half at a time, slide the knife between the ribs and the jalapeno.
There you go, the ribs are detached. Reserve the seeds by scraping with your gloved fingers.
Slice the jalapeno half into thin strips.
And then dice them finely.
Prep the onions.
Mix in the jalapeno with the seeds and the onion.
Add salt and lemon juice.
And stir. Then, cover and refrigerate until you're ready to serve.
Heat your oil according to directions on your bag of frozen tater tots. I think it's really important to have a thermometer when deep frying.
Fry those puppies (or tots) up and be patient. I used my slotted spoon to keep them moving around and from sticking to each other while frying.
Using a slotted spoon, add the tater tots to a baking sheet that's lined with foiled and topped with paper towels – to soak up the oil.
You can fry them…or you can bake them according to the instructions on the bag.
Original photo from when this recipe was originally published October 2, 2012
And then eat them! Soooooo I have to give credit where credit is due, while I was frying the tater tots, Curtis looked at me and said why don't you put a fried egg on top? Whatttttttt? was my reaction. He thought I was mad from my reaction but I just answered with “pure genius”. You're a genius, honey!
The funny thing? He doesn't like runny eggs but he knows how obsessed I am with putting eggs on ramen noodles and tons of other things. I wish I thought of this…
Here's how to fry an egg with crispy edges!
I have these mini cast iron skillets that I love to fry eggs in. Melt a pat of butter in the skillet.
Crack an egg.
And let it cook for about 4 minutes if you want the egg to still be runny and the edges crispy. If you don't want it runny, you can cook it for as long as you want.
So there you have it…totchos with a fried egg on top (Curtis' idea). The eggs make it heavenly…this is comfort food!!!
Totchos Recipe
Yield: 2 (for a meal) or 4 (for an appetizer)
Prep Time: 25 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 45 minutes
Popular in Pacific Northwest towns like Portland, Oregon, they are traditionally topped with nacho cheese. I loved creating this twist with pico de gallo, shredded cheddar cheese and a fried egg on top!
Ingredients:
Pico de Gallo
- 1/2 of a large red onion, diced small
- 3-4 medium tomatoes, cored and seeded, diced small
- 1 jalapeno pepper, seeded & cored, diced small (reserve the seeds)
- 1 1/2 limes, juiced
- salt
Tater Tots
- 1 pound frozen tater tots
- vegetable oil for cooking
- salt and pepper
Other toppings
- sharp white cheddar, grated
- 3 green onions, sliced
- 2 eggs, fried
- sour cream (optional)
- guacamole (optional)
Directions:
Pico de Gallo
- Combine the diced onions, tomatoes, jalapenos (include seeds if you'd like) and lime juice into a medium-sized bowl. Add salt to taste. Refrigerate while preparing the tater tots and eggs.
Making the Tater Tots
- If you're frying, prepare a baking sheet lined with foil and covered in paper towels. Fry the tater tots according to instructions on the bag. The brand I used instructed to heat the vegetable oil to 375 degrees.
- Allow the tater tots to slightly cool and the oil to drain on the baking sheet. Top the tater tots with salt and pepper.
- If you're baking, follow the instructions on the bag.
Fry the Eggs
- In a cast iron skillet, melt a pat of butter. Add two eggs and fry them sunny side up until crispy, about 4 minutes. Cook them longer if you don't want the yolk to be runny. (If using a nonstick skillet, you might not be able to get the edges as crispy.)
Assembly
- On two plates, add tater tots and top with cheddar cheese. Optional: melt cheese on top the tater tops in the oven on the baking sheet or in the microwave on microwave-safe plates.
- Top with pico de gallo and green onions and then the fried eggs. Serve with lime wedges and sour cream or guacamole.
Warning: You'll need a fork for this dish!
From The Little Kitchen
Have you tried this recipe?
Cannot serve this with jalapeños- one No spicey food child. What can I substitute?
Otherwise this looks really delish and can’t wait to make it.
Hi Nan,
You can totally omit the jalapenos from the pico de gallo. If you want the crunch factor, you an substitute using green bell peppers but it’s not necessary to substitute!
Hope you enjoy it!
That’s the kind of breakfast I like to have on a busy day. I have that same mini frying pan, it’s one of my favorites. It’s the best non-stick pan, too. The more you use it, the smoother the surface gets. It’s my go to pan for frying anything in small quantities.
HOLY CRAP this is good enough to come back every month, much less every few years!! Awesome, Julie!
Totally craving this!! Love the fried egg on top!
Totally my kind of breakfast!!!
[…] Julie Deily / thelittlekitchen.net […]
We made ours ultimate TOTchos by adding beans! So delish!
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This is such a fun idea, I bet you can bake the tots to make them lighter. Looks like awesome college food 🙂
Yes, please! This is pretty much the best thing I’ve seen all day 🙂
Holy cow how did I miss this?? I want a plate of these for lunch!
[…] you’re able to show more restraint than I am, you can also go with this slightly healthier version that Julie posted, coincidentally, the week after I’d had eaten totchos for the first time. […]
There is a restaurant chain in Canada called Taco Time (think Taco Bell but with MUCH better food) that has been doing the Tater Tots-as-nachos idea for years and years. They taste SO amazing! I’m definitely going to try the eggs on top idea though – sounds like a great breakfast….
I’m up for anything with tots! and pairing it with an egg was a lovely idea.
This looks amazing. And what a brilliant idea Curtis had. I put eggs on everything. Had some edamame with an egg on top for dinner the other night.
Would you share your ‘no-fuss way’ of making your Pico de Gallo, please? We’ve never found a recipe we really cared for, and I’m not sure what I’m doing wrong??? Thanks so much…Cheryl
Hi Cheryl, my recipe for pico de gallo is included in this recipe for totchos. Hope you enjoy it.
Such a cute idea, Julie! And the colors are striking!
These look amazing! I can’t wait to try them. I Pinned the recipe so I can make it this weekend.
I. Am. Drooling. And speechless. Tater tots as nachos? This is the best idea in the entire freakin’ world. And I LOVE that you topped it with a fried egg. I mean, heaven.
Tots!!!! with an egg! I am in love. For real.
Great idea! Definitely comfort brunch food!
I am a sucker for most anything with tater tots – and those look awesome, egg and all!
[…] The Little Kitchen: Totchos Recipe […]
I NEED this. NEEEEEEEEED!
Want to come over and fry up some tots for me this morning??
I’ve had something similar but never with the clever name “totchos” and never with a fried egg on top, that is brilliant! I think you should run for president! 😉
Oh my, it’s making me hungry! Love the added egg on top!
Smart man you’ve got there, the fried egg on top is the perfect finish!
Aaah, tater tots. I miss tater tots. I tried making them homemade, but they’re just not the same as the ones out of a bag! And this looks amazing. Totchos are completely new to me. Can’t wait to go back to the US and try them. 🙂
[…] 4 EAT THIS: Totchos with a Fried Egg on top – The Little Kitchen […]
[…] Totchos with a fried egg on top! […]
Indulgent!! YUMMMMM
This seriously looks SO good to me!
Looks amazing to me!!! Love this! And great thinking Curtis with the fried egg!!! 😀
This look surprisingly delicious! (great pictures, too!)
Oh Julie this looks great!! 🙂 We a restaurant in NOLA that does this dish too but it doesn’t look nearly as good as yours!
My jaw is seriously dropped. This is the most genius idea I have heard in a long time. Not only are they TOTchos but they have a fried egg?!?! Someone hold me.