Air Fryer Tater Tots: Quick, Crispy Treats

Tater tots are a popular snack that can be made in an air fryer in a matter of minutes. The cooking time varies depending on the desired level of crispiness, the size of the tater tots, and the type of air fryer being used. In general, it takes around 10-15 minutes to cook tater tots in an air fryer, with some recipes suggesting a cooking time of 7-9 minutes.

Preheat the air fryer

Preheating your air fryer is an important step in the process of making tater tots. It ensures that your tater tots cook evenly and efficiently. The ideal temperature to preheat your air fryer to is between 350-400°F. The time this will take depends on your air fryer, but it should take around 4-5 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. Shake the basket well, then continue air-frying 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. Gently spray the air fryer racks with non-stick cooking spray. Place the frozen tater tots in a single layer, gently shaking the rack to help spread them out. Leave enough room between the tater tots for the hot air to circulate. This means you won't have to flip the tots while they're cooking. Air-fry for 13 minutes.

If you're using a basket-style air fryer, you may want to spritz the frozen tater tots with a little cooking spray before cooking. This will help to achieve that crispy texture. However, if you're using an oven-style air fryer, don't use any cooking spray as it can drip down onto the heating element and cause smoke.

Preheating your air fryer is a crucial step to ensure your tater tots cook evenly and efficiently. By following the above instructions, you'll be on your way to enjoying crispy, golden tater tots in no time!

Use frozen tater tots

Air fryer tater tots are a quick, easy, and convenient snack or side dish. They are also healthier than deep-fried tater tots, and you can cook them straight from frozen.

How to Cook Frozen Tater Tots in an Air Fryer:

First, preheat your air fryer to 400°F. Place the desired amount of frozen tater tots into the air fryer basket or tray in a single layer, ensuring they do not overlap or stack. You may need to cook them in batches.

Cook for 7 to 15 minutes, shaking the basket or tray halfway through to ensure even cooking. The exact cooking time will depend on your desired level of crispiness, so check regularly after the initial 7 minutes to avoid overcooking.

Once cooked to your liking, remove the tater tots from the air fryer and serve immediately with your favorite dipping sauce.

Tips for Cooking Frozen Tater Tots in an Air Fryer:

• Avoid using cooking spray, as frozen tater tots already contain oil.
• If you want extra crispy tater tots, cook for an additional 1 to 2 minutes until they are a dark golden brown.
• Mini tater tots will take less time to cook, so check them around the 5-minute mark.
• For oven-style air fryers, spray the racks with non-stick cooking spray before adding the tater tots to help them spread out.
• For the crispiest tater tots, use organic frozen tater tots.
• If you are cooking for a large group, consider using the oven instead of the air fryer, as you will likely need to cook the tater tots in multiple batches.

Serving Suggestions:

Tater tots are a versatile side dish and can be served with a variety of meals. They are a great alternative to french fries and go well with hamburgers, pork loin, or London broil. They can also be served with grilled cheese and fish sticks or as a breakfast side with pancakes and bacon.

For a simple serving suggestion, provide small bowls of ketchup, mustard, barbecue sauce, or other condiments for dipping.

Storing and Reheating:

Any leftover tater tots can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. To reheat, place them in the air fryer at 400°F for 2 to 5 minutes until warmed and crispy.

Cook for 10-15 minutes

So, you've decided to make tater tots in an air fryer – great choice! You'll have perfectly crispy tots in no time. Here's a step-by-step guide to help you achieve tot perfection:

Step 1: Preheat Your Air Fryer

Start by preheating your air fryer. For most air fryers, you'll want to preheat to 400°F. However, some recipes suggest a lower temperature of 350°F, so adjust accordingly. Be sure to follow the manufacturer's instructions for preheating, which usually takes around 1 minute.

Step 2: Prepare the Tater Tots

Take your desired amount of frozen tater tots and place them in the air fryer basket or tray. It's important to arrange them in a single layer, ensuring they don't overlap or stack. This allows for even cooking and maximum crispness. If you're making a large batch, you may need to cook in multiple rounds.

Step 3: Cook the Tater Tots

Now it's time to cook those tots! Place the air fryer basket or tray into the preheated air fryer and set the timer. For this step, you'll want to aim for a cooking time between 10 and 15 minutes. Keep in mind that the exact time will depend on your desired level of doneness and the crispiness you prefer.

Step 4: Shake and Flip

To ensure even cooking and browning, it's essential to shake the basket or flip the tots halfway through the cooking process. This helps prevent sticking and promotes that golden brown crispness we all love. Give them a good shake or flip after about 5 to 7 minutes of cooking.

Step 5: Check for Doneness

Keep an eye on your tots as they approach the 10-minute mark. Depending on your air fryer and desired level of crispiness, they may need a little more or less time. Use your best judgment and remove them from the air fryer when they're looking and tasting perfect to you.

Step 6: Serve and Enjoy

Once your tater tots have reached the desired level of crispiness and golden brown colour, it's time to serve them up! Tater tots are versatile and can be served as a side dish, snack, or even a party appetizer. They pair well with various sauces for dipping, such as ketchup, BBQ sauce, or ranch. Enjoy!

Remember, the key to perfect air fryer tater tots is ensuring they cook evenly and don't overlap in the basket. With these steps, you'll be well on your way to crispy, delicious tater tots that will impress your family and friends. Happy frying!

Flip halfway through

Flipping your tater tots halfway through the cooking process is an important step to ensure they cook evenly and end up with a uniform crispiness. Depending on the type of air fryer you have, you may need to shake the basket or flip the tots with a spatula.

For basket-style air fryers, it is recommended to shake the basket to toss the tater tots. This is because the tots can easily break apart once they are thawed but before their crusts have crisped. Shaking the basket halfway through cooking will help to ensure even crisping and browning.

For oven-style air fryers, there is no need to flip the tater tots during cooking. Instead, it is recommended to gently spray the air fryer racks with nonstick cooking spray before placing the frozen tater tots in a single layer. Leaving space between the tots allows hot air to circulate, so there is no need to flip them during cooking.

Regardless of the type of air fryer, it is important to ensure that the tots are in a single layer and not stacked or overlapped. This allows for even cooking and crisping. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may only be able to fit half of the tater tots at a time.

Reheat any leftovers

Reheating tater tots in an air fryer is a quick and easy way to get them crispy again. If you have any leftovers, you can store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4-5 days.

To reheat, simply place the tater tots in the air fryer basket or tray. It is fine to stack them this time, but if you have a lot, you may need to add a minute or two to the heating time. Reheat at 350-400°F for 2-5 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through to ensure even heating.

This method helps to restore the original crispiness of the tater tots and is a great way to enjoy leftovers.

Frequently asked questions