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Ore-Ida adds Dino and Star Tater Tots to its freezer lineup
Kraft Heinz says Ore-Ida is introducing its first new Tater Tot shapes in nearly two decades, with Dino and Star formats arriving in 2026.
Published May 6, 2026 — Ore-Ida is adding two new shapes to its frozen potato range. In an announcement published by The Kraft Heinz Company, the brand introduced Dino Tater Tots and Star Tater Tots as its first new shapes in nearly 20 years.
By Noah Mercier
What Ore-Ida announced
The new products are shaped versions of the familiar Tater Tot format: Dino pieces designed around a prehistoric theme and Star pieces intended to bring a different visual format to family meals. Kraft Heinz describes both as permanent additions to the Ore-Ida range, rather than short-term seasonal products.
The announcement positions the launch as a presentation change for a familiar freezer staple. The company says the products are intended to keep the crisp-outside, fluffy-inside profile associated with its Tater Tots while giving cooks a more playful option for everyday plates. That description comes from the manufacturer and is not an independent tasting result.
Pack sizes and availability
Kraft Heinz lists the new products in 28-ounce bags and 5-pound club sizes. The company says Dino Tater Tots and Star Tater Tots are available at major retailers nationwide. The release does not state a recommended retail price, and availability can vary by store, so shoppers should check the pack and retailer information at the point of purchase.
Star Tater Tots are also being introduced with limited-edition America 250 packaging connected to the United States’ 250th anniversary celebrations. That packaging detail is separate from the company’s description of the Star shape as a permanent addition to the product range.
What the change means in the kitchen
For home cooks, the main difference is visual rather than technical. The announcement does not claim a new cooking method, a new appliance function or a different nutritional profile. The shapes could make a simple side dish easier to theme for a family meal, barbecue or children’s plate, but they should not be treated as a new recipe or a tested cooking technique.
Because the press release does not provide cooking times or temperatures, the package directions remain the reference point. Read the instructions on the specific bag before preparing it, especially if switching between an oven, air fryer or another method listed by the manufacturer. Do not assume that a different shape has exactly the same browning time as a familiar product without checking the label.
A practical preparation checklist
Keep the product frozen until you are ready to cook it, and use the method and setting printed on the package. Spread the pieces in the arrangement recommended by the instructions so hot air or oven heat can reach them consistently. Use a clean tray or basket, avoid mixing raw ingredients with the cooked potatoes, and handle the finished food with clean utensils.
Check the pieces at the end of the stated cooking period and continue only according to the package guidance if they are not ready. Frozen potato products can brown unevenly when crowded, so a single layer is useful when the instructions allow it. Let the food cool enough to serve safely, particularly when preparing a hot tray for children.
Why the launch is notable
Ore-Ida’s announcement is significant mainly because the brand says the new formats are its first Tater Tot shapes in nearly two decades. It also shows how a long-established frozen product can be refreshed through form and presentation without claiming a new ingredient system or cooking technology.
For shoppers, the useful information is straightforward: look for the Dino or Star name, confirm the bag size, check the package directions and verify availability locally. The launch may add variety to a freezer aisle, but the official announcement does not provide evidence for an independent verdict on taste, texture or cooking performance.
The bottom line
Dino and Star Tater Tots are a verified 2026 product launch from Ore-Ida and The Kraft Heinz Company. The confirmed changes are the two new shapes, the listed 28-ounce and 5-pound formats, the permanent-range positioning and the stated nationwide retail availability. Everything beyond those facts—including whether one shape cooks better than another—requires hands-on testing that has not been conducted for this article.