Air Fryer Hack: Frozen Tater Tots, Anytime!

Cooking frozen tater tots in an air fryer is a quick and easy way to get crispy, crunchy, and delicious results. There's no need to defrost or pre-cook the frozen tater tots, and they can go straight from the freezer into the air fryer basket. The cooking time varies depending on the desired level of crispiness, but generally, it takes around 10-15 minutes at 385-400°F. Air fryer tater tots are a convenient and healthier alternative to deep-fried or oven-baked tater tots, and they can be a great side dish or snack.

How long to cook frozen tater tots in an air fryer

Yes, you can cook frozen tater tots in an air fryer and it's super easy! There's no need to defrost or pre-cook them first. Simply pop them straight from the freezer into the air fryer basket.

Now, how long you cook them for depends on how crispy you like your tater tots. The longer they're in the air fryer, the crispier they'll be. Most sources recommend cooking frozen tater tots at 400°F for 10–15 minutes, shaking the basket once or twice during cooking. However, some sources suggest cooking them for as little as 7–9 minutes, while others go up to 16 minutes. If you like your tater tots extra crispy, you can cook them for a few additional minutes until they're a dark golden brown. Just be sure not to overfill your basket, as this will prevent hot air from circulating and result in uneven cooking. It's best to cook them in a single layer and work in batches if needed.

If you want to get fancy, you can spray the tater tots with cooking oil before air frying. This will give them an even crispier texture, but it's not essential as frozen tater tots already contain oil. A sprinkle of salt or your favourite seasoning is also a nice touch.

Should you defrost tater tots before air frying?

You should not defrost tater tots before air frying. In fact, cooking frozen tater tots in an air fryer is a quick, easy, and convenient way to get crunchy, hot, and delicious tater tots. By placing them straight from the freezer into the air fryer, you can have crispy tater tots in just 10 to 15 minutes.

Air fryers are known for cooking frozen foods to a super crispy texture, so it's no surprise that they work well with frozen tater tots. The hot air circulated by the air fryer cooks the tater tots evenly, giving them a crunchy exterior and a soft, pillowy interior.

There's no need to add extra oil to frozen tater tots as they already contain oil from the deep frying process before freezing. This oil will be released as they cook, ensuring a crispy result. However, some people choose to lightly spray their tater tots with cooking spray or oil before air frying for an even crispier texture.

To cook frozen tater tots in an air fryer, preheat your air fryer to 350-400°F. Place the desired amount of tater tots in a single layer in the air fryer basket, ensuring they are not overlapping or stacked. If you have a lot of tater tots, you may need to cook them in batches.

Air fry the tater tots for 10 to 15 minutes, shaking the basket gently every 3-5 minutes to ensure even cooking. The cooking time will depend on your preferred level of crispiness, so keep an eye on them and adjust the time accordingly. Once they are golden brown and crispy, remove them from the air fryer and serve immediately.

Should you use cooking spray on frozen tater tots?

Yes, you can cook frozen tater tots in an air fryer! They are a great, quick, and easy side dish to prepare, and a fantastic alternative to oven-baked tater tots. The air fryer produces a super-crunchy exterior and a soft, pillowy potato inside.

Now, should you use cooking spray on frozen tater tots? Well, it is not essential, but it is recommended to get the crunchiest tater tots possible. Frozen tater tots often already contain oil, so you don't need to add more, but a light coating of cooking spray will help achieve that addictive crispy texture on the outside, while keeping the inside tender. If you do decide to use cooking spray, it is best to use a non-aerosolized oil with a high smoke point, such as avocado oil, vegetable oil, or olive oil (not extra virgin). These oils will not leave a bitter flavor on the food. You can also add a sprinkle of salt, or your chosen seasoning, to add flavor to the tater tots.

If you decide not to use cooking spray, keep an eye on the tater tots as they cook, and give them a spritz of oil if they start to look dry.

What temperature to cook frozen tater tots in an air fryer?

Yes, you can cook frozen tater tots in an air fryer! They are known to turn out crispy and fluffy, and are a convenient, healthier way to get the crispy tater tots you love without the need to deep-fry. They are also a quick and easy side dish to prepare.

To cook frozen tater tots in an air fryer, preheat your air fryer to 400°F or 350°F. Place the frozen tater tots into the air fryer basket, ensuring they are in a single layer and not overlapping or stacking. If you are using mini tater tots, your cooking time will be different, so check them around the 5-minute mark. Cooking in batches is recommended for the most even cooking.

Spray the tater tots lightly with cooking spray or oil. Avocado oil, vegetable oil, or olive oil are recommended for the best flavor. Then, toss them and spray again.

Air fry the tater tots for 12 to 15 minutes, shaking the basket gently every 5 minutes. For softer potatoes with just a bit of crispness, reduce the cooking time by a minute or so. For extra crispy tater tots, cook for another 1 to 2 minutes until they are a dark golden brown.

Your tater tots are done when they are crispy and golden brown. Sprinkle them with salt or your seasoning of choice and serve hot with your favorite dipping sauce.

How to serve air-fried tater tots

Air-fried tater tots are a quick and easy snack or side dish. They can be served as a healthier alternative to deep-fried potatoes, with a lighter texture and a quicker cooking time than oven-baked tater tots.

To serve air-fried tater tots, first, decide whether you want to make them from scratch or use a bag of frozen tots. If you're making them from scratch, you'll need to boil and grate potatoes, mix them with a variety of seasonings, form them into tots, and then air fry them. This process will add at least 20 minutes of preparation time, but it gives you more control over the ingredients and seasonings used.

If you're short on time, frozen tater tots are a convenient option that can go straight from the freezer into the air fryer. Preheat your air fryer to 400°F/200°C. Place the frozen tater tots in the air fryer basket in a single layer, leaving enough space for even cooking. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may need to cook them in batches. Lightly spray the tater tots with oil, although this step is optional as some frozen tater tots already contain oil. Add salt and other seasonings, if desired.

Air fry the tater tots for 12 to 15 minutes, shaking the basket every 3 to 5 minutes to ensure even cooking. For softer tater tots, air fry them for less time, checking for doneness around the 10- or 11-minute mark. For extra crispy tots, cook them for a few additional minutes until they are a dark golden brown.

Once the tater tots have reached your desired level of crispiness, remove them from the air fryer and transfer them to a bowl or plate. Serve them immediately, as they will lose their crispness over time. Air-fried tater tots can be enjoyed as a snack on their own or as a side dish with a variety of mains, such as burgers, chicken, hot dogs, or grilled cheese. They can also be paired with a dipping sauce, such as ketchup, ranch, barbecue sauce, or honey mustard.

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