Air Fryer Green Giant Veggie Tots: Quick, Easy, Delicious!

Green Giant veggie tots are a popular frozen snack that can be cooked in an air fryer. They are a healthier alternative to traditional tater tots, made with various vegetables such as cauliflower, broccoli, zucchini, and sweet potato. Air frying veggie tots is a convenient and quick way to prepare them, resulting in a crispy and crunchy exterior with a soft and tender interior. The air fryer eliminates the need for large amounts of oil, making it a healthier option with lower calorie and fat content. The cooking time for Green Giant veggie tots in an air fryer is typically around 8 to 10 minutes at 400 degrees Fahrenheit, depending on the size and brand of the air fryer.

Air fryer settings and timings

It is important to preheat your air fryer before adding the veggie tots. This will help ensure that the tots cook evenly and become crispy. Preheat your air fryer to 400°F for about 5 minutes. You can also use parchment paper to keep the air fryer basket clean, but make sure to preheat the air fryer before placing the parchment paper inside.

The size of your air fryer will determine how many veggie tots you can cook at once. For smaller air fryers (less than 5 quarts), 14 ounces is the maximum amount you should cook at once to avoid overcrowding the air fryer. If you have a larger air fryer, you can cook more as long as the basket is not filled more than halfway full.

To cook the veggie tots, place them in a single layer in the air fryer basket. This will ensure proper airflow and crispiness. You can spray the tots with cooking oil for extra crispiness, but it is not necessary as they will cook nicely without any extra oil. Set the air fryer to 400°F and cook the tots for 8–10 minutes, or until they are golden brown and crispy. Toss or shake the basket halfway through the cooking time to ensure even cooking.

Once the veggie tots are golden brown and crispy on the outside, and soft on the inside, remove them from the air fryer and serve immediately. You can serve them as a snack or side dish, and they go great with your favorite dipping sauce.

Health benefits of air frying

Yes, you can cook Green Giant Veggie tots in an air fryer. Preheat your air fryer to 400°F and cook the veggie tots for 9 minutes, turning them once during cooking. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may need to cook the veggie tots in batches to avoid overcrowding the basket.

Now, let's discuss the health benefits of air frying. Air fryers are marketed as a healthier alternative to deep-fat frying, and for good reason. Air fryers use hot air to cook food, resulting in a crispy texture and golden-brown color similar to deep-fried foods but with far less fat and calories. This reduction in fat and calories can have several health benefits, including:

Weight Management and Obesity Prevention

Lowering saturated fat intake and managing calories through air frying can help with weight management and the prevention of obesity-related health conditions. Obesity is a risk factor for various health issues, including type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease.

Cardiovascular Health

Deep-fried foods are typically high in saturated fat, which can increase the risk of cardiovascular disease. By reducing the amount of fat absorbed during the cooking process, air frying may help lower this risk. Additionally, air fryers eliminate the risk of hot oil spills, splashes, or accidental contact associated with traditional deep frying.

Cancer Risk Reduction

Research has linked the oils used in traditional deep frying to an increased risk of certain types of cancer. Air fryers use little to no oil, reducing exposure to these harmful oils and potentially lowering the risk of cancer. One study found that air frying lowered the amount of acrylamide, a chemical compound formed during high-heat cooking, in fried potatoes by 90%.

Safety

Air fryers also offer safety advantages over traditional deep frying. Deep frying involves heating large amounts of oil to very high temperatures, which can pose a safety risk. Air fryers eliminate this risk by using hot air to cook food, reducing the chances of spills, splashes, or accidental contact with hot oil.

While air frying offers these health benefits, it's important to note that some concerns have been raised about potential negative effects. For example, one study found that air frying fish increased the amount of "cholesterol oxidation products" (COPs), which may negatively affect cholesterol levels. However, this effect can be mitigated by adding fresh herbs like parsley and chives, which act as antioxidants. Additionally, while air fryers produce fewer polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) due to lower oil usage, there is still a risk of PAH formation if the cooking temperature is too high.

Green Giant veggie tots vs. oven-baked tots

Green Giant Veggie Tots are a great alternative to potato tots and fries. They are made with cauliflower or broccoli instead of potatoes and are a good way to add more vegetables to your diet. They are available in 14-16 oz bags and can be delivered to your doorstep.

Cooking Green Giant Veggie Tots in an Air Fryer

Green Giant Veggie Tots can be cooked in an air fryer. Preheat the air fryer to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. Place the frozen veggie tots in the air fryer basket in a single layer, ensuring that the basket is not filled more than halfway full. No oil spray is needed. Cook for 9 minutes, turning the tots once during cooking to ensure they cook evenly.

Cooking Green Giant Veggie Tots in an Oven

To cook Green Giant Veggie Tots in the oven, preheat the oven to 425 degrees Fahrenheit. Arrange the frozen veggie tots in a single layer on a large baking sheet. Bake for 12-14 minutes or until golden and crisp.

Comparison

Cooking Green Giant Veggie Tots in an air fryer results in a crisp exterior while retaining a soft interior. They are also faster to cook and tend to be crispier than when cooked in a conventional oven. However, it is important to note that air fryers may cook differently, and you may need to adjust the timing and temperature accordingly. Ovens, on the other hand, may result in a mushier texture, but they can cook a larger batch at once.

Preparing the air fryer basket

First, decide if you want to use any cooking spray. While some people prefer to use a light spray of vegetable, olive, or avocado oil to make their tots extra crispy, it is not necessary as veggie tots already contain oil. If you do decide to use cooking spray, be sure to spray it directly onto the veggie tots, not onto the air fryer basket, to avoid an uneven coating.

Next, place the frozen veggie tots in the air fryer basket. It is important to note that you should not thaw the tots before placing them in the air fryer. For even cooking and optimal crispness, arrange the tots in a single layer, leaving enough space between each tot. Overcrowding the basket can result in soggy tots, so depending on the size of your air fryer, you may need to cook the tots in batches. For smaller air fryers (less than 5 quarts), 14 ounces is the maximum amount you should cook at once. Larger air fryers can accommodate more tots, as long as the basket is no more than half full.

Once you have prepared the basket and placed the tots inside, you are ready to start cooking. Preheat your air fryer to 400 degrees Fahrenheit for about 5 minutes, and then place the basket inside. Cook the veggie tots for 8-10 minutes, tossing or shaking the basket halfway through the cooking time to ensure even cooking. Keep a close eye on the tots, as the exact cooking time will depend on the size and brand of your air fryer, and you don't want them to burn.

Finally, when the tots are golden brown and crispy on the outside, remove them from the air fryer and serve immediately. Enjoy your delicious and healthy snack!

Serving suggestions

Green Giant Veggie Tots are a fun and healthy snack that can be cooked in an air fryer. They are a great vegetarian option and can be served as a snack, appetizer, or side dish. Here are some serving suggestions:

As a Snack

Veggie tots can be enjoyed on their own as a quick and healthy snack. They are a convenient option to have on hand for hungry kids after school or as a bite to eat when you're short on time.

With Dipping Sauces

Serve veggie tots with your favourite dipping sauces. Some popular options include ranch dressing, thousand island dressing, ketchup, or queso cheese.

As an Appetizer

Veggie tots make a great appetizer, especially when served with other fun finger foods. They can be a crunchy starter for a variety of toppings, such as Mexican shredded cheese, crumblers, pico de gallo, guacamole, or pepitas.

As a Side Dish

Veggie tots are a healthy and tasty side dish to pair with various main courses. They go well with burgers, veggie burgers, black bean burgers, ribs, hot dogs, brisket, and other grilled vegetables like sweet potatoes or Brussels sprouts.

Casserole Base

You can also use leftover veggie tots as a base for a breakfast or dinner casserole. Simply use the cooked veggie tots as a base layer and add your favourite ingredients on top.

Customization

There are several ways to customize your veggie tots. You can sprinkle them with Parmesan cheese or add different seasonings such as onion powder or garlic powder. Additionally, you can toss them with vegetable oil or cooking spray halfway through the cooking process for extra crispness.

Frequently asked questions