Air Fryer Ore-Ida Tater Tots: How Long To Fry?

Ore-Ida Tater Tots are a popular frozen food that can be cooked in an air fryer for a quick and easy snack or side dish. The cooking time will depend on the type of air fryer you have, but generally, they will take around 10-12 minutes to cook at 400 degrees Fahrenheit. Air-fried Tater Tots are a convenient and tasty treat, offering a crispy exterior and soft potato interior.

Preheat the air fryer to 400°F

Preheating your air fryer is an important step in the cooking process. Not only does it help ensure that your food cooks evenly, but it also helps to get that coveted crispy texture that air-fried food is known for.

When preparing to cook Ore-Ida tater tots, or any other brand of tater tots, in your air fryer, it's best to preheat the appliance to 400°F. This temperature will ensure that your tots cook through and get that signature crispy exterior.

Depending on the model of your air fryer, you may need to preheat for different lengths of time. For basket-model air fryers, preheating for just 1 minute should suffice. However, if you're using an oven-style air fryer, you'll want to preheat for a full 2 to 3 minutes before adding your food.

Once your air fryer has preheated, it's time to add the tater tots. Be sure to place them in a single layer in the basket or on the tray. It's okay if they touch or overlap slightly, but you'll get the maximum crispness if they're in a single layer.

After adding the tater tots, you'll air fry them for around 10 to 12 minutes, shaking the basket or tray halfway through the cooking process to ensure even cooking. If you're using an oven-style air fryer, you'll air fry for a total of 13 minutes.

If you want your tater tots to be extra crispy, simply add 1 to 2 minutes of cooking time. Just keep an eye on them to ensure they don't burn.

Place the tater tots in a single layer

Placing the tater tots in a single layer is an important step in the air frying process. This ensures even cooking and maximum crispness. It is fine if the tater tots touch, but they will achieve a crispier texture if they are in a single layer.

For basket-style air fryers, you can fill the basket with about half a bag of tater tots. They can be placed quite close together, but it is best to avoid having them overlap too much. You can always cook the remaining tater tots in the next batch.

For oven-style air fryers, it is especially important to place the tater tots in a single layer, with some space between them. This is because hot air needs to be able to circulate around each tot, cooking them evenly without the need for flipping.

If you are using an air fryer with racks and a rotating basket, you can simply place the tater tots in the basket and let it turn. Depending on the size and wattage of your air fryer, you may need to adjust the cooking time.

Air fry for 6 minutes

Air frying Ore Ida tater tots for 6 minutes is the first step in a two-part cooking process that will leave you with crispy, golden potato bites. Here's a detailed, step-by-step guide:

Preparation

Before you begin, ensure your air fryer is preheated to 400°F/200°C. This is an important step, as it ensures your tater tots cook evenly and efficiently. If your air fryer doesn't have a preheat setting, simply set it to cook at the desired temperature for 5 minutes with nothing inside.

Air Fry

Place the frozen tater tots into the air fryer basket, ensuring they are in a single layer. A single layer of tater tots will cook more evenly, as the hot air can circulate properly. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may need to cook the tater tots in batches. For most standard-sized air fryers, half a bag (16 ounces) of tater tots is a suitable amount for one batch.

Once the tater tots are in the air fryer, spritz them with a little olive oil. This step is optional but will help your tater tots become extra crispy and golden. The olive oil will also help any salt or seasonings stick to the tater tots. If you're using salt, it's best to use fine-grain table salt, as this will stick to the tater tots better than kosher salt.

Now, air fry the tater tots for 6 minutes. It's important to note that this is only the first stage of cooking, and the tater tots will not be ready to eat at this point.

Shake and Air Fry Again

After the initial 6 minutes of cooking, remove the basket from the air fryer and give it a good shake. This will help to toss the tater tots and ensure they cook evenly. Return the basket to the air fryer and cook for an additional 4 to 6 minutes, or until they are golden brown and crispy.

Serve

Once the tater tots are golden brown and crispy, transfer them to a serving bowl and enjoy! You can sprinkle them with some seasoned salt or your favourite spice blend for an extra flavour boost. Serve with your favourite dipping sauce, such as ketchup, BBQ sauce, or nacho cheese sauce.

Shake the basket and air fry for another 4-6 minutes

Shaking the basket of your air fryer halfway through the cooking process is an important step in ensuring your Ore Ida tater tots cook evenly and become crispy on all sides. This is because, without shaking the basket, the tots may break apart as they begin to thaw but before their crusts have crisped.

After shaking the basket, you'll want to air fry the tater tots for another 4-6 minutes. This will give them that golden brown and crispy finish that makes air-fried tater tots so delicious. It's important to keep an eye on them during this final cooking stage, as you don't want them to overcook or burn. Depending on your air fryer and your desired level of crispiness, you may need to adjust the cooking time slightly.

If you're using a basket-style air fryer, this second cooking stage is also a good opportunity to spritz your tater tots with a light coating of cooking oil. This will help enhance their crispiness, although it's not necessary as tater tots already contain oil. You could also experiment with adding your favourite seasonings at this point. Taco seasoning, chili lime seasoning, garlic and herb, and Old Bay seasoning are all tasty options.

Once the tater tots have reached your desired level of crispiness, remove them from the air fryer and serve immediately. They're great as a side dish or a snack, and you can even get creative and use them to make loaded nachos or tot nachos. Don't forget to provide a selection of dipping sauces, such as ketchup, BBQ sauce, cheese sauce, or honey buffalo sauce!

Serve with your favourite sauce

Ore-Ida Tater Tots are a great snack to have on hand, and they're even better when cooked in an air fryer. They're quick and easy to make, and you can serve them with your favourite sauce. Here are some ideas for sauces and dips to take your Tater Tots to the next level:

Ketchup

A classic choice for a reason, ketchup is a perfect pairing for Tater Tots. Its tangy sweetness complements the crispy potatoes, and it's a crowd-pleaser for all ages.

Mustard

For those who like a bit of spice and sharpness, mustard is a great option. It adds a nice kick to your Tater Tots and can be paired with ketchup for an old-school fast-food experience.

BBQ Sauce

Sweet and smoky BBQ sauce is another excellent dip for Tater Tots. It adds a depth of flavour and a little bit of tanginess. Go for a thicker, stickier sauce for maximum coverage and enjoyment.

Cheese Sauce

Cheese sauce is a decadent and indulgent choice. It's perfect for those who want something a little more rich and savoury. Try a sharp cheddar cheese sauce or a creamy, mild mozzarella sauce.

Big Mac Sauce

If you're feeling adventurous, try a Big Mac sauce with your Tater Tots. It's a unique combination that offers a tangy, creamy, and slightly sweet experience.

Honey Buffalo Sauce

For a sweet and spicy kick, honey buffalo sauce is an excellent choice. It's a fun twist on traditional hot wings, and the honey adds a nice touch of sweetness to balance out the heat.

Garlic and Herb Seasoning

While not a sauce per se, a sprinkle of garlic and herb seasoning can take your Tater Tots to the next level. It adds a punch of flavour and is a great option if you're looking for something a little more dry and less messy.

No matter your preference, there's a sauce or seasoning to elevate your Ore-Ida Tater Tots. Get creative, and don't be afraid to experiment with different combinations to find your favourite!

Frequently asked questions