Air Fryer Frozen Tater Tots: Quick, Crispy, Delicious

Cooking frozen tater tots in an air fryer is a quick and easy way to make a crispy, tasty side dish or snack. There are a few different methods depending on the type of air fryer you have and how crispy you like your tater tots. In general, you'll want to cook them at a high temperature for a short amount of time, and shake the basket periodically to ensure they cook evenly.

Preheat the air fryer

Preheating your air fryer is an important step in the cooking process. It ensures that your tater tots will cook evenly and be crispy on the outside and tender on the inside. The ideal temperature for cooking tater tots is around 400° F, so you should preheat your air fryer to this temperature. Depending on your air fryer, it can take about 5 minutes to preheat.

While preheating, you can prepare your tater tots. Take them out of the freezer and spread them out into a single layer in the air fryer basket. Make sure not to fill the basket more than halfway, as this will allow for even cooking and proper air circulation. If you are cooking a large batch, you may need to work in batches or cook for a few extra minutes.

Once your air fryer has preheated, you can place the basket of tater tots inside and set the timer. For crispy tater tots, cook them for around 10-12 minutes at 400° F, shaking the basket every 3-5 minutes to toss the tots and ensure even cooking.

If you are short on time, you can skip the preheating step as some people find that their tater tots cook just fine without it. However, preheating is recommended to ensure the best results and to avoid undercooking your tater tots.

Use a single layer of tater tots

Cooking frozen tater tots in an air fryer is a quick and easy process. It is important to arrange the tater tots in a single layer to ensure even cooking. Here is a step-by-step guide to achieving crispy and fluffy tater tots:

Firstly, preheat your air fryer to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. Preheating is an important step as it allows the tater tots to start crisping as soon as they are placed in the basket. It is not necessary to preheat the air fryer according to some sources, but doing so ensures even cooking and prevents undercooking. Set the temperature to 385 degrees Fahrenheit if you prefer; they will cook just as well.

Next, place the frozen tater tots in the air fryer basket, ensuring they are in a single layer. Do not overfill the basket; fill it only halfway at most to allow for proper air circulation. This is crucial for even cooking and to prevent overcrowding. If you are using mini tater tots, keep a close eye on them as they will cook faster and may burn.

Now, place the basket in the preheated air fryer and cook for 7 to 12 minutes. The cooking time may vary depending on the brand of tater tots and your specific air fryer model. Check the package instructions for a more precise cooking time, and adjust the time accordingly. For example, if the package recommends an oven cooking time of 18-21 minutes at 450 degrees Fahrenheit, you would aim for around 10 minutes in the air fryer at 400 degrees Fahrenheit.

During the cooking process, it is important to shake the basket every 3 to 5 minutes to toss the tater tots and ensure even cooking on all sides. This also allows you to check on their progress and prevent them from getting too crispy. If you notice that the tater tots look dry, you can spritz them with a small amount of oil, although this is usually unnecessary as frozen tater tots already contain oil.

Once the tater tots have reached your desired level of crispiness, remove them from the air fryer and serve immediately. They go well with various dipping sauces, such as ketchup, mustard, BBQ sauce, or spicy cashew dressing. You can also experiment with different seasonings to add extra flavour. Enjoy!

Shake the basket during cooking

Shaking the basket during cooking is an important step in ensuring your tater tots cook evenly. By shaking the basket, you can toss the tater tots so that they move from the centre to the outside of the basket and vice versa, allowing them to cook uniformly. This is especially important if your air fryer doesn't have good airflow underneath the tots.

Additionally, shaking the basket gives you an opportunity to check on the progress of your tater tots and ensure they are not burning or getting too crispy. Depending on your air fryer model, you may need to shake the basket more than once during cooking. For example, if you are cooking at 400°F, shake the basket halfway through the cooking process, which is usually around the 5-7 minute mark. If cooking at a lower temperature of 375°F, shake the basket once or twice during the 15-minute cooking time.

It is also important to note that the amount of tater tots in the basket can impact the cooking process. If you fill the basket more than halfway, you will likely need to shake it more frequently and may need to add extra cooking time.

Add olive oil and seasoning

Olive oil is not a necessary ingredient when cooking frozen tater tots in an air fryer, as they already contain oil from the pre-frying process. However, adding a small amount of extra virgin olive oil can make your tater tots extra crispy and help other spices or flavours stick to them.

If you decide to add olive oil, spray the air fryer basket with a neutral spray oil, then place the frozen tater tots in the basket. Lightly spray the tops of the tater tots with oil. If you don't have a spray oil, you can toss the tater tots in a bowl with olive oil and your desired seasoning.

When it comes to seasoning, you can use salt, or a blend of your favourite spices, herbs, garlic, or seasoning. Taco seasoning, chili lime seasoning, and Old Bay seasoning are all recommended. You can also experiment with different blends until you find your favourite.

Reheat leftovers

Reheating leftovers in an air fryer is a great way to regain the original crispiness of tater tots. Here's a step-by-step guide:

• Preheat the Air Fryer: If your air fryer requires preheating, set it to 350-400 degrees Fahrenheit for about 5 minutes. Preheating ensures the tater tots start crisping as soon as they hit the basket.
• Place the Leftover Tots in the Basket: You can place the refrigerated leftover tater tots directly into the air fryer basket. It is okay to stack them when reheating, but for even cooking, it is best to ensure they are in a single layer.
• Air Fry: Reheat the tater tots at 350-400 degrees Fahrenheit for 2-8 minutes, depending on the amount and your air fryer's settings. Shake the basket halfway through the cooking process to ensure even heating.
• Check for Doneness: Keep an eye on the tater tots to prevent burning. They are done when they are hot and crispy again.
• Add Seasoning (Optional): If desired, sprinkle some salt or add your favorite seasoning to the reheated tater tots.
• Serve: Your tater tots are now ready to be served and enjoyed!

Reheating tater tots in an air fryer is a quick and convenient way to restore their crispiness and taste. You can easily reheat a small or large batch, making it a perfect option for leftovers.

Frequently asked questions