Air Fryer Tater Tots: Quick, Crispy, Golden Treats

Tater tots are a quick and easy snack or side dish that can be made in an air fryer. They can go straight from the freezer into the air fryer, with no need to defrost them first. The cooking time will depend on how crispy you like your tater tots, but it usually takes around 12 to 20 minutes. You can also add extra ingredients such as olive oil, salt, or other spices to enhance the flavor.

Cooking time and temperature

The cooking time and temperature for tater tots in an air fryer depend on how crispy you want them to be. The ideal temperature for cooking tater tots in an air fryer is 400°F. The cooking time can vary between 7 to 20 minutes, depending on the desired level of crispiness.

For softer tater tots, air fry them for a shorter duration, around 7 to 9 minutes. Check them around the 5-minute mark if they are mini tater tots, and the 10-minute mark for regular-sized tater tots. If you prefer them crispy, cook them for a few minutes more, checking them every minute or so. The color should be a darker brown for extra crispiness.

It is recommended to preheat the air fryer for about 2-3 minutes before adding the tater tots. Place the tater tots in a single layer to ensure even cooking, and consider using a cooking spray or a light coating of oil to enhance crispness and prevent sticking. Shake the basket or tray halfway through the cooking process to ensure even browning and crispness.

The exact cooking time may vary depending on the brand of tater tots and the specific model of the air fryer, so it is important to monitor them closely during the cooking process to achieve the desired level of crispiness.

Using frozen tater tots

Yes, you can cook frozen tater tots in an air fryer. In fact, air fryer tater tots are a quick and convenient way to get those crispy edges and soft, pillowy potato goodness on the inside.

To cook frozen tater tots in an air fryer, first, preheat your air fryer to 400° Fahrenheit. While you are waiting for the air fryer to heat up, you can prepare the frozen tater tots. Take them straight from the freezer and spread them out in the air fryer basket so they don't touch. You can spray the basket with a little oil first to prevent sticking and give the tater tots a crispier finish. You can also spray the tops of the tater tots with oil for extra crispness.

Once the air fryer is preheated, place the basket inside and set a timer. For regular-sized tater tots, cook for 12 to 15 minutes. For mini tater tots, the cooking time will be less, so check on them regularly to prevent burning. Shake the basket every 3 to 5 minutes to toss the tater tots and ensure they cook evenly on all sides.

When the tater tots are as crispy as you like them, remove the basket from the air fryer and serve. You can enjoy them as they are or with your favourite dipping sauce, like ketchup, ranch, or aioli.

Air fryer tater tots are a quick and easy side dish that goes well with burgers, chicken, and more. They are a convenient and delicious option for a weeknight dinner or a fun snack.

Shaking the basket

It is recommended to shake the basket halfway through the cooking process. Most sources suggest cooking tater tots for a total time of 12 to 15 minutes, so you should shake the basket around the 6-minute mark. This is especially important if you are cooking a large batch of tater tots, as it is likely that some will cook faster than others. By shaking the basket, you can ensure that they all cook evenly.

In addition to ensuring even cooking, shaking the basket also gives you an opportunity to check on the tater tots and make sure they are not getting too crispy. This is important because everyone has different preferences for how crispy they like their tater tots. By checking on them halfway through, you can adjust the cooking time accordingly and avoid overcooking or undercooking them.

It is worth noting that if you are using a mini air fryer or cooking mini tater tots, you may need to adjust the cooking time and shake the basket more frequently. This is because smaller air fryers tend to cook faster, and mini tater tots will cook more quickly than regular-sized ones. It is recommended to start checking the mini tater tots around the 5-minute mark and then check them every 2 minutes after that to ensure they are cooking to your desired level of doneness.

Adding oil and seasoning

While adding oil and seasoning to your tater tots is optional, it can enhance the flavour and crispiness of your dish. If you want to add oil, it is recommended to use a non-aerosolized cooking spray, such as avocado oil, vegetable oil, or olive oil. Olive oil is suggested to be extra virgin. These oils have a higher smoke point, which means they can withstand the high heat of the air fryer without leaving a bitter taste on the food. You can also use olive oil to help other spices or flavours stick to the tots.

To apply the oil, toss the frozen tater tots in a large bowl with the oil and any desired spices or seasonings until they are well coated. You can also add salt to taste, but this is also optional, especially if your tots came pre-seasoned or pre-salted. Some spices you can use include garlic, herbs, or a seasoning blend. For example, you can use garlic and herb seasoning, or a cajun, taco, or Old Bay seasoning blend.

Once you have coated the tater tots in oil and seasoning, you can arrange them in a single layer in the air fryer basket and cook according to the instructions on your tater tots packaging, or until they reach your desired level of crispiness.

Serving suggestions

Air fryer tater tots are a versatile dish that can be served as a snack, side dish, or even a meal. Here are some serving suggestions to elevate your air fryer tater tots:

As a Snack

Air fryer tater tots make a great snack on their own. You can serve them with your favourite dipping sauce, such as ketchup, BBQ sauce, honey mustard, or ranch, or any other sauce you enjoy. The crispy texture of air-fried tater tots pairs perfectly with a variety of dips, making them a tasty and satisfying snack option.

As a Side Dish

Air fryer tater tots are an excellent side dish for a range of meals. They go particularly well with burgers, chicken tenders, hot dogs, and grilled cheese sandwiches. You can also serve them with fish sticks, pancakes, bacon, or eggs for breakfast. The crispiness and fluffiness of air fryer tater tots make them a delightful substitute for fries or potato wedges.

Customise with Seasonings

You can customise your tater tots by adding seasonings before or after air frying. Try adding garlic and herb seasoning, Cajun seasoning, taco seasoning, or Old Bay seasoning to give them an extra flavour boost. A sprinkle of salt is also a simple way to enhance the flavour of your tater tots.

For a Hearty Meal

While tater tots are often served as a side, they can also be the star of the meal. Serve them with a juicy hamburger, pork loin, sloppy joes, or a London broil. They can be a filling and satisfying option for those who love their potatoes.

Storage and Reheating

It is worth noting that air fryer tater tots are best served fresh and hot. However, if you have leftovers, you can store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4-5 days. To reheat, simply place the tater tots back in the air fryer at 350-400 degrees Fahrenheit for 2-5 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through for even heating.

Frequently asked questions