Air Fryer Tater Tots: A Quick, Crispy Treat

can you make tater tots in the air fryer

Tater tots are a popular side dish and snack, and cooking them in an air fryer is an easy, quick, and mess-free way to prepare them. Air fryers are known for making frozen foods crispy, and tater tots are no exception. They can go straight from the freezer into the air fryer, making them a convenient option for a quick meal or snack.

Characteristics Values
Temperature 400°F/200°C or 400°F/205°C
Timing 7-15 minutes
Oil Not necessary, but can be added for crispiness
Layering Single layer, no stacking
Shaking Halfway through
Dipping sauces Ketchup, BBQ sauce, nacho cheese sauce, honey buffalo sauce, Big Mac sauce, ranch, blue cheese dressing, sriracha

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How long to cook tater tots in an air fryer

Air fryer tater tots are a quick and easy dish to make, and they come out crispy and delicious. The cooking time will depend on how crispy you like your tater tots, but generally, they will need to cook for around 7 to 15 minutes at 400°F.

First, preheat your air fryer to 400°F. Place the frozen tater tots into the air fryer basket in a single layer—it's okay if they touch slightly. Cook for 6 minutes, then shake the basket to toss the tater tots. Air fry for another 4 to 6 minutes, or until golden brown and crispy.

If you like your tater tots extra crispy, cook them for an additional 1 to 2 minutes. You can also spritz them with a light coat of cooking oil to enhance the crispiness, though this is not necessary as frozen tater tots already contain oil.

Once they're done, serve them with your favorite dipping sauce!

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How to make tater tots crispy

Air fryers are a great way to make tater tots crispy. Here are some tips and tricks to ensure you get the crispiest tater tots:

Preparation

Before cooking your tater tots, it is important to prepare your air fryer. Preheat your air fryer to 400°F/205°C for 2-5 minutes. You should also prepare the air fryer basket by coating it with a light spray of cooking oil, though some air fryers may not require this.

Cooking

Place the frozen tater tots into the air fryer basket. Ensure that the tater tots are in a single layer, with no stacking or overlapping. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may need to cook the tater tots in batches.

Cook the tater tots for 7-15 minutes at 400°F/205°C, shaking the basket halfway through. For extra crispy tots, add an additional 1-2 minutes of cooking time.

Serving

Tater tots can be served as a side dish, snack, or appetizer. They can be served on their own or with a dipping sauce. Some popular dipping sauces include ketchup, BBQ sauce, honey mustard, ranch, nacho cheese sauce, and honey buffalo sauce.

Reheating

Any leftover tater tots can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. To reheat, place the tater tots in the air fryer tray and set the temperature to 400°F/205°C for 2-3 minutes. Unlike when cooking them, it is okay to stack the tater tots when reheating.

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How to reheat tater tots in an air fryer

Yes, you can make tater tots in an air fryer! They are known to turn out crispy and delicious. Here is how you can reheat them:

First, preheat your air fryer to 350-400 degrees Fahrenheit. The ideal temperature seems to be around 360 degrees Fahrenheit, or 180 degrees Celsius.

Next, place your cold tater tots in the air fryer basket. You can spray or brush them with a little oil first, but this is not necessary as frozen tater tots already contain oil. If you are reheating a large quantity, it is fine for them to be stacked, but they will cook more evenly in a single layer.

Now, air fry your tater tots for 3-6 minutes. They should be heated through and crispy. If you are reheating a large batch, you may need to shake the basket halfway through to ensure even cooking.

Finally, serve your tater tots immediately with your favourite dip. Enjoy!

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What to serve with tater tots

Tater tots are a versatile side dish that can be served with a variety of meals. Here are some ideas for what to serve with tater tots:

Burgers, Chicken, and More

Tater tots make a great side dish for burgers, grilled chicken, or chicken tenders. They can also be served with other proteins such as pork loin, sloppy joes, or London broil.

Breakfast

Tater tots can also be served as a breakfast side dish. Try pairing them with pancakes, bacon, or eggs. For a heartier breakfast, make a breakfast casserole with tater tots, eggs, peppers, onions, and ham.

Dips and Sauces

Tater tots are perfect for dipping! Serve them with ketchup, BBQ sauce, honey mustard, ranch, or any other dipping sauce you love. If you're feeling adventurous, try dipping them in Big Mac sauce, nacho cheese sauce, or honey buffalo sauce.

Totchos (Tater Tot Nachos)

Take your tater tots to the next level by using them as a base for nachos. Top them with cheese, chili, jalapeños, onions, and any other nacho toppings you desire.

Creative Combinations

Tater tots are a versatile food that can be used in a variety of creative ways. Try using them as a crust for a quiche or chicken pot pie, or as a topping for shepherd's pie. You can also make tater tot waffles by pressing the tots into a waffle iron and serving them with chicken and honey.

Sliders

For a fun and crunchy twist on traditional sliders, use tater tots instead of buns. Layer them with your favourite sandwich toppings and serve with ketchup, mayo, or mustard for dipping.

With their crispy exterior and fluffy interior, tater tots are a delicious and versatile side dish that can be served in a variety of ways. Get creative and enjoy!

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How to make homemade tater tots

Ingredients:

  • 4 medium-sized potatoes
  • ½ tablespoon corn starch
  • ½ teaspoon garlic powder
  • ½ teaspoon onion powder
  • ½ teaspoon fine table salt
  • ⅛ teaspoon fine ground black pepper
  • 2 teaspoons vegetable oil

Instructions:

  • Boil the potatoes for 8 minutes, then drain the water and set the potatoes aside to cool for at least 15 minutes.
  • Grate the potatoes. The skin will fall off easily while you do this.
  • Place the corn starch, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper in a small bowl and mix together.
  • Place the grated potatoes and seasoning in a large bowl and mix together. Use your hands to knead the mixture like a dough for about 1 minute.
  • When the mixture holds together well, divide it into 25 parts. Create the tots by gently squeezing a piece of dough in your hand. Use a tiny bit of water on your fingers to avoid the dough sticking to them. Repeat until you've made all the tots.
  • Preheat the air fryer to 400°F (200°C).
  • Place the tots in a bowl and pour over the oil. Mix gently so that the tots keep their shape.
  • Place the tots in a single layer in the air fryer basket and air fry for 15 minutes at 400°F (200°C). Remove the basket every 5 minutes and shake it gently to turn the tots.
  • Serve immediately with ketchup or your favorite sauce!

Note: You can also bake the tater tots in the oven. Place them on a baking sheet lined with aluminum foil and bake for 20 minutes at 400°F (200°C), turning them carefully halfway through.

Frequently asked questions

It takes 10-15 minutes to cook tater tots in an air fryer. Shake the basket halfway through cooking to ensure even cooking.

Set your air fryer to 400°F/205°C.

Frozen tater tots already contain oil, so you don't need to add any more. However, you can spray a light coat of cooking oil to enhance the crispiness.

Store leftover tater tots in a covered container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. To reheat, place them in the air fryer at 400°F/205°C for 2-3 minutes.

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