Air Fryer Tots: Perfect Timing For Crunchy Treats

Tater tots are a beloved snack, side dish, or meal for many people, and cooking them in an air fryer is a convenient and quick way to prepare them. The cooking time for tater tots in an air fryer varies depending on the desired level of crispiness, the size of the tots, and the specific air fryer being used. However, on average, it takes around 12 to 15 minutes to cook tater tots in an air fryer at a temperature of 400 degrees Fahrenheit.

Preheat the air fryer

Preheating your air fryer is an important step in the cooking process. It ensures that your air fryer reaches the ideal temperature before you begin cooking your tater tots, preventing undercooked food. To preheat your air fryer, simply turn it on and wait for a few minutes. Most sources recommend preheating for at least 2-3 minutes, while others suggest waiting for about 5 minutes. During this time, your air fryer will heat up to the desired temperature, usually 400 degrees Fahrenheit.

Preheating your air fryer is similar to preheating an oven. It ensures that your tater tots start cooking at the right temperature as soon as they hit the basket. This step is crucial, especially if you want your tater tots to be crispy. By preheating, you create the ideal environment for the hot air to circulate properly, cooking your tater tots evenly and thoroughly.

When preheating your air fryer, it's important to note that the temperature and timing may vary slightly depending on the model of your air fryer. Different air fryers may have unique specifications, so it's always a good idea to refer to your air fryer's user manual for specific instructions. However, the general principle of preheating remains consistent across different models.

Once your air fryer has preheated, you can proceed to the next step of placing your frozen tater tots into the air fryer basket or tray. Remember to arrange them in a single layer to ensure even cooking, and you may need to work in batches if you have a large amount of tater tots. After preheating, your air fryer will be hot, so always exercise caution when handling it and placing the tater tots inside.

Use frozen tater tots

Air fryers are a convenient and quick way to cook frozen tater tots, giving them a crispy exterior and soft, fluffy interior. There is no need to defrost the tater tots before cooking, and they can be cooked straight from the freezer.

To cook frozen tater tots in an air fryer, first preheat the air fryer to 400°F. This should take around 2-3 minutes. You can also preheat the air fryer for 5 minutes to ensure the tater tots start crisping as soon as they are added. While the air fryer is preheating, you can prepare the tater tots by tossing them with olive oil and your choice of spices, herbs, garlic, or seasoning blends. This step is optional, but it will give your tater tots extra flavor and crispiness.

Once the air fryer is preheated, place the frozen tater tots into the air fryer basket or tray in a single layer. Make sure they are not overcrowded to ensure even cooking. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may need to cook the tater tots in batches.

Cook the tater tots at 400°F for 12 to 15 minutes. Shake the basket gently every 3 to 5 minutes to toss the tater tots and ensure even cooking on all sides. If you prefer softer tater tots, cook them for less time, checking them around the 10 or 11-minute mark. For very crunchy tater tots, cook them for a few minutes longer, checking every additional minute. The tater tots are done when they are crispy and golden brown.

Once the tater tots are cooked to your desired level of doneness, remove them from the air fryer and let them cool slightly before serving. They are best enjoyed warm with your favorite dipping sauce, such as ketchup, ranch, barbecue sauce, or honey mustard.

Cook for 12-15 minutes

To cook tots in an air fryer, it is recommended that you preheat your air fryer to 400°F. Place the frozen tots straight into the air fryer basket (no need to defrost) in a single layer. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may need to fry them in batches. It is also recommended that you spray the potato puffs lightly with cooking spray. Then, toss them and spray again.

Air fry the tots for 12 to 15 minutes. Shake the basket gently every 5 minutes as they cook. You can also flip or shake them halfway through. If you want your tots to be extra crispy, cook them for another 1 to 2 minutes until they are a dark golden brown. For softer tots, air fry them for less time. Check them around the 10 or 11-minute mark.

If you are using mini tater tots, your cooking time will be different. The smaller tots will cook faster, so start checking them at the 8-minute mark and check every 2 minutes after that to ensure they are cooked to perfection.

Shake the basket halfway through

Shaking the basket halfway through cooking is an important step in ensuring your tater tots cook evenly on all sides. This technique helps to toss the tots, so they don't stick to the air fryer basket and achieve that desirable, uniform crispiness. It also provides an opportunity to check on their progress and make sure they're not burning or getting too crispy.

Depending on the size of your air fryer and the number of tots you're cooking, you may need to work in batches to ensure an even cook. In this case, shaking the basket halfway through each batch is crucial. By giving the basket a good shake, you can ensure that all the tots have a chance to cook evenly and achieve that perfect golden brown colour.

The frequency with which you shake the basket can vary. Some sources recommend shaking it every 3 to 5 minutes, while others suggest doing so only halfway through the cooking process, around the 6-minute mark for a 12-minute cook. This halfway point is a good opportunity to check on your tots and assess their crispiness. If they're not quite crispy enough, you can always cook them for a few extra minutes.

Shaking the basket is a simple yet effective technique that ensures your tater tots cook evenly and allows you to monitor their progress. It's a key step in achieving that perfect balance of crispiness and tenderness that makes air fryer tater tots so delicious.

Add seasoning

Tater tots cooked in an air fryer can be seasoned in a variety of ways to add flavor and make them even more delicious. While some frozen tater tots come pre-seasoned, many do not, so you can add a little olive oil, avocado oil, or vegetable oil and toss the tots in your favorite spices, herbs, garlic, or seasoning blend. You can also use salt as an optional ingredient to add flavor to the tater tots. If your tots are pre-seasoned or pre-salted, you may not need or want any additional salt.

Some popular seasoning blends to use on air fryer tater tots include garlic and herb seasoning, Cajun seasoning, taco seasoning, and Old Bay seasoning. You can also get creative and experiment with different spices and herbs to find your favorite combination. For example, you can try adding some red pepper flakes, paprika, or Italian seasoning to give the tots a little extra kick.

If you want your seasoning to stick better to the tater tots, you can lightly spray them with oil before adding the seasoning. This will also help to ensure that the tots get nice and crispy in the air fryer. You can use a non-aerosolized cooking spray, such as avocado oil, vegetable oil, or olive oil that is not extra virgin, as these oils have a higher smoke point and will cook better in the air fryer without leaving a bitter flavor.

Once you have added your chosen seasoning, simply toss the tater tots in the seasoning blend until they are well coated. You can do this directly in the air fryer basket or in a separate bowl before transferring the seasoned tots to the air fryer. If you are using olive oil, salt, or other spices, be sure to toss everything together until the tots are well coated before placing them in the air fryer.

Frequently asked questions