Air Fryer Tater Tots: Quick, Crispy, Golden Treats

Tater tots are a quick and easy snack or side dish that can be made in an air fryer. They are a great alternative to french fries and can be served with a variety of meals, such as hamburgers, pork loin, or grilled chicken. Tater tots can go straight into the air fryer from frozen, with no need to defrost or pre-cook them. They cook faster than in an oven and get crispier, with a better texture and taste. The cooking time will depend on your desired level of crunchiness, but on average, they take around 7 to 15 minutes to cook at 350–400 °F (175–200 °C).

Preheat the air fryer

Preheating your air fryer is the first step to achieving that perfect crispiness in your tater tots. It is also a crucial step, as it ensures that your tater tots start crisping as soon as they touch the basket. Depending on the model of your air fryer, preheating can take anywhere from 4 to 5 minutes. Simply turn on your air fryer and wait for it to reach the desired temperature before adding your tater tots.

For optimal results, it is recommended to preheat your air fryer to a temperature between 350 and 400 degrees Fahrenheit. This temperature range will ensure that your tater tots cook evenly and become delightfully crispy. The exact temperature setting may vary depending on your air fryer model, so it is always a good idea to refer to the manufacturer's instructions or guidelines.

When preheating your air fryer, it is important to ensure that the air fryer basket is in place. This is because the hot air circulates around the food, cooking it evenly on all sides. By preheating the air fryer with the basket in place, you create the ideal environment for your tater tots to cook evenly and achieve that desired crispiness.

While preheating, you can also prepare your tater tots. If you are using frozen tater tots, there is no need to defrost them beforehand. Simply take them straight out of the freezer and place them into the air fryer basket once it has finished preheating. If you prefer to make your own tater tots from scratch, you can follow a simple recipe by boiling and grating potatoes, seasoning them, shaping them into tots, and then placing them into the preheated air fryer basket.

Place the tater tots in the basket

When placing the tater tots in the basket, it is important to ensure they are in a single layer to cook evenly. This is especially important if you are using an air fryer with a smaller capacity. If you are cooking a large batch of tater tots, you may need to cook them in batches to ensure even cooking. It is also worth noting that the size of the tater tots will impact the cooking time, with mini tater tots taking less time to cook.

When placing the tater tots in the basket, be mindful not to overcrowd them. Fill the basket no more than halfway to allow for proper air circulation and even cooking. This will ensure that the hot air can circulate effectively and cook the tater tots evenly. Overcrowding the basket may result in uneven cooking, with some tater tots not crisping up properly.

Additionally, when placing the tater tots in the basket, consider the cooking time and your desired level of crispiness. The cooking time may vary depending on the size of the tater tots and your preferred level of doneness. If you prefer your tater tots extra crispy, you may need to cook them for a slightly longer time. On the other hand, if you like them softer, you may want to reduce the cooking time.

It is also important to note that shaking the basket during cooking is crucial for even cooking. By placing the tater tots in the basket in a single layer, you will be able to easily shake the basket and toss the tater tots without making a mess. This will ensure that they cook evenly on all sides and allow you to check on their progress to prevent overcooking.

When placing the tater tots in the basket, you can also add a light coating of oil or cooking spray, especially if you are using frozen tater tots. However, it is important not to overuse oil or cooking spray as this can make the tater tots greasy. Frozen tater tots already contain some oil, so a light coating should be sufficient.

Shake the basket

Shaking the basket is an important step in the process of cooking tater tots in an air fryer. This step ensures that the tater tots cook evenly on all sides, resulting in a consistent crispiness. It is recommended to shake the basket every 3 to 5 minutes, or halfway through the cooking process. By doing so, you can also check on the tater tots and ensure they are not getting too crispy. This step is especially important if you are cooking a large batch of tater tots or using a small air fryer, as it helps to prevent uneven cooking.

When shaking the basket, it is important to be gentle and careful. Simply pause the air fryer, remove the basket, and give it a gentle shake. This will toss the tater tots around, allowing them to cook evenly and ensuring that they don't stick to the basket. It is also a good opportunity to rotate the basket or adjust its position in the air fryer, as this can further improve the evenness of cooking.

The purpose of shaking the basket is twofold. Firstly, it ensures that the tater tots cook evenly by allowing hot air to circulate around them from all sides. Secondly, it helps to prevent the tater tots from sticking to the basket or to each other. This is crucial to achieving the desired level of crispiness and avoiding unevenly cooked or soggy spots.

Additionally, shaking the basket allows you to monitor the cooking process and adjust the timing or temperature if needed. This is especially useful if you are cooking tater tots for the first time or using a new air fryer. By checking on them regularly, you can ensure that they don't overcook or burn, and make any necessary adjustments to the cooking time or temperature for future batches.

Shaking the basket is a simple yet crucial step in air-frying tater tots. It ensures even cooking, prevents sticking, and allows for the desired level of crispiness to be achieved. By following this step and adjusting the timing based on your preferences, you can consistently cook delicious and crispy tater tots in your air fryer.

Season the tater tots

Seasoning your tater tots is a great way to add flavour and make them your own. If you're using frozen tater tots, you can add your own seasoning after cooking them in the air fryer. Simply toss the cooked tots in your chosen blend and return them to the air fryer for a minute or two. Some seasoning blends you could use include garlic and herb, Cajun, taco, and Old Bay.

If you're making your own tater tots from scratch, you can add your chosen seasonings to the potato mixture before shaping and cooking. You can also adjust the amount of seasoning to suit your taste. For example, you can add more black pepper for a peppery kick. Here are the ingredients you'll need for homemade tater tots:

• Half-boiled potatoes
• Corn starch
• Garlic powder
• Onion powder
• Salt
• Pepper

Reheat and store leftovers

If you have any leftover tater tots, you can reheat them in the air fryer at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for 3 to 5 minutes. This will ensure they are warmed through and crispy again.

Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. If you wish to freeze the tater tots, bake them for 6-8 minutes, freeze them individually, and then place them in plastic bags in the freezer.

Frequently asked questions