Air Fryer Tater Tots: A Healthy, Quick Treat?

Tater tots are a popular snack, especially among children, and can be made even crispier and tastier using an air fryer. They are a convenient, healthier alternative to deep-frying and can be made in a few simple steps.

How long to cook tater tots in an air fryer

Yes, you can cook tater tots in an air fryer! Here is a step-by-step guide on how to do it:

Step 1: Preheat the Air Fryer

Set your air fryer to 400°F and allow it to preheat for a few minutes. This is important for achieving the desired crispiness of your tater tots.

Step 2: Prepare the Tater Tots

Place the frozen tater tots in the air fryer basket or tray. Ensure that they are in a single layer, avoiding any stacking or overcrowding, as this will affect even cooking and crispiness. If you are making a large batch, you may need to cook the tater tots in multiple batches.

Step 3: Add Seasonings (Optional)

At this point, you can optionally add seasonings to your tater tots for extra flavor. You can sprinkle coarse salt or any other seasonings of your choice. You can also spray the tater tots with cooking spray, although this step is not necessary as frozen tater tots already contain oil.

Step 4: Cook the Tater Tots

Close the air fryer and cook the tater tots for about 5 minutes. Then, shake the basket to toss the tater tots and ensure even cooking. Continue cooking for another 5 minutes or so. The total cooking time will depend on your desired level of crispiness. Check the tater tots occasionally and cook them until they reach your desired level of doneness.

Step 5: Serve

Once the tater tots are golden brown and crispy, they are ready to serve! You can enjoy them as is, or pair them with your favorite dipping sauces like ketchup, BBQ sauce, ranch, or cheese sauce.

Tips for Optimal Results:

• Shake the basket occasionally during cooking to prevent sticking and ensure even cooking.
• Avoid overcrowding the air fryer basket to allow for proper airflow and even cooking.
• If you are making a large batch, cook the tater tots in multiple batches to ensure even cooking and crispiness.
• Reheat any leftovers in a preheated air fryer at 350°F for 3 to 5 minutes to restore their crispiness.

How to make homemade tater tots

Ingredients:

• 2 pounds of russet potatoes, peeled
• 1 tablespoon of all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon of garlic powder
• 1/2 teaspoon of onion powder
• 1/4 teaspoon of dried oregano
• 1/4 teaspoon of dried dill
• Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
• 3 cups of vegetable oil
• 2 tablespoons of chopped fresh parsley leaves

Method:

First, place the potatoes in a Dutch oven and cover them with cold salted water by 1 inch. Bring the water to a boil, then reduce the heat and simmer, covered, until the potatoes are parboiled, about 6-7 minutes. Drain the water and let the potatoes cool.

Next, using a box grater, finely shred the potatoes. Using a clean dish towel or cheesecloth, drain the potatoes completely, removing as much water as possible.

Now, transfer the potatoes to a large bowl. Stir in the flour, garlic powder, onion powder, oregano, and dill. Season with salt and pepper, to taste. The mixture should be workable but dry. Form the potatoes into tots.

Heat the vegetable oil in a large stockpot or Dutch oven over medium-high heat until it registers 360 degrees F on a deep-fry thermometer. Working in batches, add the tots to the Dutch oven and cook until they are evenly golden and crispy, about 3-4 minutes. Transfer them to a paper towel-lined plate.

Finally, serve the tater tots immediately, garnished with parsley if desired. You can also freeze any leftovers in an airtight container for up to 1 month. To reheat, preheat the oven to 400 degrees F and bake until heated through, about 15-17 minutes.

How to store and reheat tater tots

Tater tots are a beloved side dish or snack, but getting that perfect crispy exterior and fluffy interior when reheating can be tricky. Here is a guide on how to store and reheat tater tots using an oven, air fryer, microwave, skillet, or stove.

Storing Tater Tots

To store leftover tater tots, let them cool to room temperature. Then, line an airtight container with paper towels and spread the tots out inside. Put the tater tots in the fridge for 3 to 5 days. You can also freeze tater tots for up to 6 months.

Reheating Tater Tots in the Oven

The oven is the best and most convenient method to reheat tater tots. Preheat your oven to 350°F (180°C) and lightly grease a baking tray. Optionally, spray your tater tots with cooking spray. Spread the tater tots out on the baking tray and heat them for 10-12 minutes, turning halfway through.

Reheating Tater Tots in an Air Fryer

The air fryer is a fast and excellent option for an even crisp. Set your air fryer to 350°F (180°C). Coat your tater tots with cooking spray (optional). Spread them out in the air fryer and heat them for 4 to 6 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through.

Reheating Tater Tots in the Microwave

The microwave provides a quick and easy way to reheat tater tots, but it will not recreate the crispy exterior of freshly baked tater tots. Arrange the tater tots in a single layer on a microwave-safe plate and microwave on high power for 1-2 minutes. Check the tater tots at 1 minute and heat in 30-second intervals until heated through. Let the tater tots stand for 1 minute after microwaving to allow the insides to fully heat.

Reheating Tater Tots in a Skillet

Heat a small amount of oil in a skillet on medium-high heat. When the oil is shimmering, add the tater tots and fry them for 3-4 minutes or until they’re crispy. If you’re feeling indulgent, skip the oil and fry the tater tots in bacon grease instead.

Reheating Tater Tots on the Stove

You can also reheat tater tots in a non-stick skillet over medium-low heat. Add a little oil and keep them moving for even crisping.

Best seasonings for tater tots

Tater tots are a versatile side dish that can be seasoned in a variety of ways to elevate their flavour. Here are some ideas for seasonings to use on your tater tots, whether you're cooking them in an air fryer or oven:

Garlic and Herb Seasoning

A blend of garlic and herb seasoning can add a punch of flavour to your tater tots. You can buy a pre-made blend or make your own by combining dried garlic with a mix of dried herbs such as parsley, thyme, and oregano.

Cajun Seasoning

If you're looking for a spicier option, cajun seasoning is a great choice. You can buy this pre-made or make your own blend with spices such as paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, thyme, and cayenne pepper.

Taco Seasoning

Taco seasoning is another tasty option for tater tots. This blend typically includes spices such as chilli powder, cumin, paprika, and garlic powder. It adds a bold flavour that pairs well with tater tots.

Old Bay Seasoning

Old Bay Seasoning is a classic blend of spices that includes celery salt, black pepper, and paprika, among other ingredients. It adds a unique flavour to tater tots that some people rave about.

Salt and Pepper

Of course, you can't go wrong with the classic combination of salt and pepper. Seasoning your tater tots with salt and pepper is a simple way to enhance their flavour without overpowering them.

Other Seasoning Ideas

• Nutritional yeast (nooch)
• Dried paprika
• Dried parsley
• Dried garlic
• Olive oil
• Curry powder
• Mustard

Feel free to experiment with different combinations of spices and herbs to find your favourite seasoning blend for tater tots. You can also try loading them up with toppings such as cheese, bacon, and chives for an even heartier side dish.

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 on what to serve with tater tots:

Burgers

Tater tots can be a great substitute for French fries when serving burgers. They have a similar shape and texture but offer a different flavour that can complement the burger patty. You can also add cheese to the tots to make them even more indulgent.

Grilled Cheese

For a classic comfort food combination, serve tater tots with grilled cheese sandwiches. The crispiness of the tots pairs well with the melted cheese and toasted bread of the sandwich. You can also add meat such as ham or bacon to the grilled cheese to make it a more substantial meal.

Breakfast Dishes

Tater tots can also be served as a breakfast side dish. They pair well with eggs, whether scrambled, fried, or in a breakfast burrito. You can also add other breakfast foods such as bacon, sausage, or avocado to create a hearty and satisfying meal.

Casseroles

Tater tots can be used as a topping for casseroles, adding a crispy and indulgent element to the dish. They can also be mixed into the casserole itself, creating a hearty and comforting meal. Casseroles can include ingredients such as ground beef, turkey, or smoked sausage, and vegetables such as green beans or corn.

Pizza

For a unique twist on pizza, use tater tots as the base instead of traditional dough. Top the tots with Canadian bacon, eggs, and bell peppers for a breakfast or brunch pizza. You can also get creative and experiment with other toppings to find your favourite combination.

Sandwiches

In addition to grilled cheese, tater tots can be a great addition to other sandwiches. They add a nice crunch and can be a fun substitute for chips or crisps. Try adding them to a ham and Swiss sandwich or a turkey cheddar melt for a hearty and satisfying lunch.

Frequently asked questions