Air Fryer Tater Tots: Quick Oven Hack

Air fryer tater tots are a quick and easy snack or side dish. They're cooked from frozen in under 15 minutes and are super crispy. You don't need to defrost or precook them, and they don't need to be cooked in oil. Simply place them in a single layer in your air fryer basket or tray, and cook at 400°F for 12–15 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through.

Preheat the air fryer

Preheating your air fryer is an important step in ensuring your tater tots cook evenly and achieve the desired crispiness. The ideal temperature to preheat your air fryer is 400 degrees Fahrenheit. Depending on your air fryer, this should take around 2 to 5 minutes.

For basket-model air fryers, preheat your air fryer to 400°F for 1 minute. Then, load the basket with frozen tater tots and cook for 7 minutes. For oven-style air fryers, preheat to the same temperature but for 1 minute.

It is worth noting that some sources suggest preheating for around 4 to 5 minutes, while others suggest as little as 1 minute. This discrepancy could be due to differences in air fryer models and their specific preheating requirements. Therefore, it is always a good idea to refer to your air fryer's instructions for the most accurate preheating guidelines.

Once preheated, you can proceed to cook your tater tots by placing them in a single layer in the air fryer basket or tray. Avoid stacking or overlapping the tots to ensure even cooking and maximum crispness. Depending on the desired level of crispiness, cook for 12 to 15 minutes, shaking the basket or tray periodically to prevent sticking and promote even browning.

By preheating your air fryer and following these simple steps, you'll be well on your way to enjoying perfectly cooked and crispy tater tots.

Place the tater tots in the air fryer

When preparing to place the tater tots in the air fryer, ensure that they are frozen. There is no need to defrost or pre-cook them. You can use any brand of tater tots, but if you are using mini tater tots, you will need to adjust the cooking time.

Once you have your frozen tater tots, place them in the air fryer basket or tray in a single layer. It is okay if they are touching, but they should not be stacked or overlapped. If you are using an oven-style air fryer, gently spray the air fryer racks with nonstick cooking spray before placing the tater tots on them.

The number of tater tots you can fit in the air fryer will depend on the size of your air fryer. You may need to cook them in batches if you are making a large quantity. For example, if you are trying to cook an entire 2-pound bag of tater tots, you may need to do two or three separate batches.

After placing the tater tots in the air fryer, you can add a light coat of cooking spray or oil to enhance their crispiness, but this is not necessary as frozen tater tots already contain oil.

Cook for 7-15 minutes

Cooking tater tots in an air fryer is a quick and convenient way to get crispy, golden potato bites. The cooking time will depend on your desired level of crispiness and the type of air fryer you are using.

For basket-model air fryers, preheat your air fryer to 400°F for 1 minute. Then, place the desired amount of frozen tater tots into the basket in a single layer. Make sure they are not overlapping. Cook for 7 minutes, shake the basket, and then cook for another 5-7 minutes, depending on how crispy you like your tater tots.

For oven-style air fryers, preheat your air fryer to 400°F for 1 minute. Lightly spray the air fryer racks with non-stick cooking spray. Place the frozen tater tots in a single layer, leaving space between them to allow hot air to circulate. Air fry for 13 minutes.

For both types of air fryers, allow the tater tots to cool for about 2 minutes before serving. You can also add extra seasoning by sprinkling your favourite spice blend on top.

Some additional tips for cooking tater tots in an air fryer include:

• No need to defrost the tater tots before cooking. They can go straight from the freezer to the air fryer.
• Shake or flip the tater tots halfway through the cooking time to ensure even cooking and crispiness.
• Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may need to cook the tater tots in batches.
• For extra crispy tater tots, add 1-2 minutes to the cooking time.
• Tater tots generally have enough oil in them, but you can spray a light coat of cooking oil before cooking to enhance the crispiness.

Shake the basket halfway through

Shaking the basket halfway through the cooking process is an important step when making tater tots in the air fryer. This helps the tater tots cook evenly and ensures that they become crispy on all sides. It's best not to use a spatula to flip the tots, as they can easily break apart before their crusts have crisped. Instead, simply give the basket a good shake to toss the tots and ensure they cook evenly.

Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may need to cook the tater tots in batches to ensure they cook evenly. They should be arranged in a single layer in the basket, and while they can touch, you'll achieve maximum crispness if they have some space between them. Shaking the basket halfway through will help ensure that any tots that were overlapping are moved apart and given a chance to crisp up.

If you're using a basket-style air fryer, load the basket with frozen tater tots and cook for about 7 minutes. Then, shake the basket well and continue air-frying for another 5-7 minutes, or until they've reached your desired level of crispiness.

For oven-style air fryers, gently spray the air fryer racks with non-stick cooking spray before adding the frozen tater tots in a single layer. Shake the rack to help spread them out and ensure there's enough space between the tots for air to flow through. Air-fry for about 13 minutes, allowing them to cool for a couple of minutes before serving.

Shaking the basket halfway through cooking is a simple step that helps ensure your tater tots come out crispy and delicious. It's a key part of the air-frying process and will help you achieve the best results.

Add 1-2 minutes for extra crispiness

If you're cooking tater tots in an air fryer, you'll be pleased to know that they're ready in way less time than if you were to cook them in the oven. Plus, they come out crispier and more delicious!

To make extra-crispy tater tots in an air fryer, follow these steps:

Preheat your air fryer to 400°F. Place your desired amount of frozen tater tots into the air fryer basket, ensuring they are in a single layer. It's important to note that the tots should not overlap or stack, as this will affect how evenly they cook. If you need to cook a large batch, you may need to do multiple rounds.

Cook the tater tots for 7-9 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through to toss them. For extra crispiness, add 1-2 minutes to the cooking time, keeping a close eye on them to ensure they don't burn. You'll know they're done when they've reached a dark golden brown colour.

Once they're done, remove the tater tots from the air fryer and enjoy! You can serve them as they are, or sprinkle some seasoned salt on top for an extra kick.

If you have any leftover tater tots, you can store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. To reheat, simply place them back into the air fryer at 400°F for 2-3 minutes.

Frequently asked questions