Ensure yellow squash is grated and drained well to avoid soggy tots., Uniform size in shaping helps even cooking, especially important for air frying., Make-ahead: Freeze uncooked tots on a baking sheet until firm; then store in a freezer bag. Cook from frozen adding a few extra minutes., Variation options include swapping yellow squash for zucchini (drained well), sweet potato (add cooking time), or adding mashed potatoes for texture., Breadcrumb alternatives include panko, gluten-free panko, or almond flour (add extra egg if using almond flour)., Go vegan by replacing egg with flax egg and using vegan cheese and gluten-free crumbs., Add flavor with smoked paprika, herbs, jalapeño, green onions, or cheese variations., Serve with dipping sauces like ranch, ketchup, marinara, sriracha mayo, or tzatziki., Store leftovers in the refrigerator up to three days; reheat in oven or air fryer to re-crisp., At room temperature, tots remain good for up to two hours when serving., Frozen cooked or uncooked tots can be reheated directly from freezer.