Air Fryer Tater Tots: Perfect Timing For Crispy Treats

Air fryers are a convenient way to cook tater tots, with many people enjoying the crispy texture they create. The cooking time varies depending on the desired level of crispiness and the size of the tater tots, but on average, it takes around 12 to 15 minutes to cook them in an air fryer. This time can be reduced to 7 to 9 minutes for mini tater tots. The temperature should be set to 400° Fahrenheit, and it is recommended to shake the basket every few minutes to ensure even cooking.

Cooking Tator Tots in an Air Fryer

Air fryer temperature for tator tots

To cook tater tots in an air fryer, it is recommended to preheat the air fryer to 400° Fahrenheit. The ideal temperature for cooking tater tots is between 12 and 15 minutes at 400° Fahrenheit. You can cook them for less time if you want them to be less crispy, and for a minute or two more if you want them extra crispy.

The first step is to preheat your air fryer for about five minutes. Lightly spray the air fryer basket with a neutral spray oil, and then place the frozen tater tots in a single layer in the basket. You can lightly spray the tops of the tater tots with oil and sprinkle salt over them if desired.

Return the basket to the air fryer and cook the tater tots for 5 minutes. After 5 minutes, remove the basket and shake it to toss the tater tots. Put the basket back in the air fryer and cook for another 3 minutes. Repeat this process, shaking the basket every 3 to 5 minutes, until the tater tots are as crispy as you like them. It is important to check the tater tots often to prevent burning.

If you are using mini tater tots, they will take less time to cook, so check them around the 5-minute mark. If you are cooking a large batch, you may need to cook the tater tots in batches to ensure even cooking.

How long to cook frozen tator tots

Cooking frozen tater tots in an air fryer is a quick and easy process. There is no need to defrost or pre-cook the tater tots beforehand – you can simply place them straight from the freezer into the air fryer. It is recommended to arrange the tater tots in a single layer in the air fryer basket to ensure even cooking. If your air fryer basket is small, you may need to cook the tater tots in batches.

The cooking time for frozen tater tots in an air fryer can vary depending on the desired level of crispiness, the size of the tots, and the specific model of the air fryer. For regular-sized tater tots, the cooking time typically ranges from 12 to 15 minutes at 400 degrees Fahrenheit. However, it is important to note that most air fryers have a maximum temperature of 400 degrees, so adjust the temperature accordingly if your air fryer has a higher maximum temperature.

For mini tater tots, the cooking time will be shorter, around 5 to 7 minutes. If you prefer your tater tots extra crispy, you can cook them for an additional 1 to 2 minutes until they reach a dark golden brown color. On the other hand, if you like your tater tots softer, air fry them for a shorter duration, checking them around the 10 or 11-minute mark.

During the cooking process, it is recommended to shake the air fryer basket periodically to prevent the tater tots from sticking and to ensure even cooking. While some sources suggest lightly spraying the tater tots with cooking spray or oil for added crispiness and to prevent sticking, others advise against it as frozen tater tots already contain oil.

How to get crispy tator tots

How to Get Crispy Tater Tots

Air fryers are a great way to cook tater tots, giving them a super crunchy exterior while keeping them fluffy on the inside. The best part is that you can cook them straight from frozen, without having to pre-heat your oven.

Steps to Follow:

• Preheat your air fryer to 400 degrees Fahrenheit.
• Place the frozen tater tots in a single layer in the air fryer basket or tray. This ensures even cooking. If you have a large batch, you may need to cook them in batches.
• Lightly spray the tater tots with cooking spray. This step is optional but will help to make them extra crispy.
• Air fry for 7 to 10 minutes. For mini tater tots, check them around the 5-minute mark.
• For extra crispy tots, cook for an additional 1 to 2 minutes, until they are a dark golden brown.
• Remove the basket from the air fryer and give it a good shake to toss the tater tots, ensuring they cook evenly on all sides.
• Check on the tater tots every minute or so to ensure they are crisping up nicely and not burning.
• Once they have reached your desired level of crispiness, remove them from the air fryer and serve.

Tips:

• If you like your tater tots with a little less crunch, reduce the cooking time by a minute or so.
• For the crispiest results, look for tater tots labelled "extra crispy" when purchasing them.

How to get soft tator tots

To get soft tater tots, you will need to reduce the cooking time. The exact cooking time will depend on your desired level of softness and crispiness. For softer tater tots with a bit of crispness, air fry for 10 to 11 minutes. You can also check on them around the 5-minute mark to see if they are cooked to your liking. If you are using mini tater tots, they will take less time to cook, so check on them around the 5-minute mark as well.

To make tater tots in an air fryer, preheat your air fryer to 400°F for 1 minute. Place the frozen tater tots in a single layer in the air fryer basket or tray. This will ensure even cooking. If you are cooking a large amount of tater tots or if your air fryer is small, work in batches. Lightly spray the tater tots with cooking spray or a neutral variety of vegetable oil. This will give them a crunchy exterior and prevent them from sticking to the basket.

Air fry the tater tots for 7 to 9 minutes, shaking the basket every 3 to 5 minutes to toss the tots and ensure even cooking. If you prefer your tater tots softer with a bit of crispness, you can remove them from the air fryer after this initial cooking time. If you like them crispier, continue cooking in 1-minute intervals until they reach your desired level of crispness.

Allow the tater tots to cool for about 2 minutes before serving. And that's it! You now have soft and crispy tater tots that are perfect as a snack or side dish.

Air fryer basket shaking technique

To make tater tots in an air fryer, it is recommended to preheat the air fryer to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. Place the frozen tater tots in the air fryer basket in a single layer, ensuring the basket is no more than halfway full. This allows for even cooking and prevents overcrowding, which can impact the crispiness of the tater tots.

Now, for the shaking technique: it is important to shake the air fryer basket periodically during cooking to ensure even cooking and browning of the tater tots. The recommended frequency is once every 3 to 5 minutes. By shaking the basket, you ensure that the tater tots are tossed and rotate, allowing them to cook evenly on all sides. This also gives you a chance to check on their progress and adjust the cooking time accordingly.

For example, if you are cooking the tater tots for a total of 7 to 9 minutes, you might consider shaking the basket halfway through, at the 3- to 4-minute mark. If you are cooking for a longer duration, such as 10 to 12 minutes, you can shake the basket twice during cooking, maintaining a similar interval of 3 to 5 minutes between shakes. This technique helps prevent the tater tots from sticking to the basket and ensures that they cook evenly.

Additionally, if you are using mini tater tots, keep in mind that they will take less time to cook, so adjust your cooking time and shaking intervals accordingly. Check on them around the 5-minute mark to assess their progress and decide if they need more time. If you prefer your tater tots extra crispy, you can always cook them for an additional 1 to 2 minutes until they reach your desired level of golden brown crispiness.

Frequently asked questions