Looking for an inventive twist on classic pizza? This Delicious Tater Tot Pizza combines everything you love about pizza with a crispy, golden tater tot crust. Perfect for family movie nights, game days, or any time you want a fun meal, this dish is easy to customize and guaranteed to impress. Plus, with minimal prep and all the cheesy goodness you could ask for, it’s bound to become a new household favorite!
Jump to RecipeWhy This Tater Tot Pizza Will Win You Over
- A New Take on Pizza Crust: Swapping traditional dough for tater tots gives this pizza a delightful crunch that everyone will love.
- Simple Ingredients, Big Flavor: With pizza sauce, mozzarella, and classic toppings like pepperoni, bell peppers, and olives, you get maximum flavor with minimal effort.
- Family-Friendly and Fun to Make: Kids and adults alike will have a blast making – and eating – this unique pizza.
Ingredients You’ll Need
For the Tater Tot Crust:
- 1 bag (32 oz) frozen tater tots: These create a crunchy and satisfying crust for the pizza.
For the Pizza Toppings:
- 1 cup pizza sauce: Choose your favorite store-bought sauce or make your own if you prefer.
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese: This classic cheese melts beautifully for a gooey pizza experience.
- 1/2 cup pepperoni slices: You can use mini pepperonis or regular ones, or swap for another meat if desired.
- 1/4 cup green bell pepper, diced: Adds a fresh crunch and pop of color.
- 1/4 cup black olives, sliced: A pizza classic for those who enjoy a bit of briny flavor.
Seasonings:
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning: A blend of basil, oregano, and thyme to give the pizza that familiar taste.
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder: Adds a subtle garlicky depth to the pizza.
For Garnish:
- Fresh basil leaves (optional): Adds a fresh, aromatic finish and an appealing garnish.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Step 1: Preheat the Oven
- Set Your Oven to 425°F (220°C): Preheat while you prepare the crust. This high heat will help the tater tots crisp up beautifully.
Step 2: Prepare the Tater Tot Crust
- Grease a Large Pizza Pan or Baking Sheet: Lightly coat the surface with cooking spray or oil to prevent sticking.
- Arrange the Tater Tots: Lay the frozen tater tots in a single layer on the pan, pressing down gently with your hands or a spatula to create a compact, even crust.
- Bake the Crust: Place the pan in the oven and bake for 25-30 minutes, or until the tater tots are golden and crispy. The crust should hold together when pressed.
Step 3: Add the Pizza Sauce
- Spread the Sauce Evenly: Once the crust is out of the oven, spoon the pizza sauce over the top and spread it evenly, leaving a small border around the edge if you like a ‘crust’ effect.
Step 4: Pile on the Toppings
- Add Mozzarella Cheese: Sprinkle the shredded mozzarella evenly over the sauce, covering the entire pizza.
- Add Pepperoni and Veggies: Arrange the pepperoni slices, diced bell pepper, and black olives over the cheese layer. Feel free to add extra veggies or swap the toppings to suit your preferences.
- Season the Pizza: Sprinkle the Italian seasoning and garlic powder over the toppings for added flavor.
Step 5: Bake Again
- Return to the Oven: Bake the pizza for another 10-12 minutes, or until the cheese is fully melted, bubbly, and slightly golden. Keep an eye on it during this final bake to avoid over-browning.
Step 6: Garnish and Serve
- Add Fresh Basil (Optional): Once out of the oven, garnish with fresh basil leaves if you’d like. This adds a burst of freshness and a pop of color.
- Slice and Enjoy: Let the pizza cool for a couple of minutes, then slice and serve hot.
Tips for the Perfect Tater Tot Pizza
- Extra Crispy Crust: For an even crispier crust, you can pre-bake the tater tots slightly longer, around 30-35 minutes, if you prefer an extra crunch.
- Try Different Toppings: Customize this pizza with your favorite toppings, such as cooked sausage, mushrooms, onions, or jalapeños.
- For a Cheesier Pizza: Add a sprinkle of Parmesan or provolone cheese along with the mozzarella for a cheesier, more indulgent pizza.
Serving Suggestions
This Delicious Tater Tot Pizza is perfect on its own, but you can also serve it with:
- A Fresh Green Salad: A simple salad with a light vinaigrette helps balance out the richness of the pizza.
- Garlic Knots: For a true pizza night experience, pair this pizza with warm, buttery garlic knots.
- Marinara Sauce for Dipping: If you like extra sauce, serve a small bowl of marinara on the side for dipping.
Storing and Reheating Leftovers
- Refrigerate: Place leftovers in an airtight container and store in the fridge for up to 3 days.
- Reheat: To reheat, use an oven set to 350°F (175°C) and bake until warmed through. This helps the tater tot crust stay crispy.
Nutritional Information (Per Serving)
- Calories: Approximately 420 kcal
- Serving Size: Makes about 6 servings
- Carbohydrates: 36g
- Protein: 18g
- Fat: 24g
Delicious Tater Tot Pizza
6
servings10
minutes40
minutes420 per serving
kcal50
minutesThis crispy pizza is packed with cheesy goodness and your favorite toppings. The perfect combination of flavors and textures will leave you craving more. Enjoy this special occasion meal for a satisfying dinner.
Ingredients
1 bag (32 oz) frozen tater tots
1 cup pizza sauce
2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
1/2 cup pepperoni slices
1/4 cup green bell pepper, diced
1/4 cup black olives, sliced
1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
Fresh basil leaves for garnish (optional)
Directions
- Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C) and grease a large pizza pan or baking sheet.
- Arrange the frozen tater tots in a single layer on the pizza pan. Press down on them gently to form a compact crust.
- Bake the tater tot crust for 25-30 minutes, or until golden and crispy.
- Remove the crust from the oven and spread the pizza sauce evenly over the tater tots.
- Sprinkle shredded mozzarella cheese on top, followed by pepperoni slices, green bell pepper, and black olives.
- Season the pizza with Italian seasoning and garlic powder.
- Return the pizza to the oven and bake for an additional 10-12 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Garnish with fresh basil leaves, slice, and serve hot.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
This Tater Tot Pizza has everything: a unique, crispy crust, gooey melted cheese, and flavorful toppings. It’s an easy, fun, and comforting recipe that’s sure to satisfy any pizza lover looking for something new and delicious. So next time you’re craving pizza with a twist, give this tater tot version a try – it might just become a new family favorite!