Air Fryer Tater Tots: Crispy, Golden Perfection

Tater tots are bite-sized potato snacks that are crispy on the outside and soft on the inside. They are a popular side dish and can be served with a variety of dips and sauces. The air fryer is an excellent way to make tater tots crispy without using oil. Here is a simple guide on how to make crispy tater tots in an air fryer.

Preheat the air fryer to 400°F

Preheating your air fryer is an important step in the cooking process. It ensures your food cooks evenly and gets that extra crispy texture. For tater tots, you'll want to preheat your air fryer to 400°F. This temperature will give your tots that golden brown crunchiness you're looking for.

Different air fryer models have different preheating requirements. For basket-style air fryers, preheat your air fryer to 400°F for about 2-3 minutes. If you have an oven-style air fryer, preheat it to the same temperature but for only about a minute. You'll also want to gently spray the air fryer racks with nonstick cooking spray to prevent sticking.

Once your air fryer has preheated, you're ready to add your tater tots. Place them in a single layer in the air fryer basket or tray. It's okay if they touch, but they'll get maximum crispness if they're in a single layer. You can add a light coat of cooking spray to enhance the crispiness, but it's not necessary as tater tots already contain oil.

After preheating and adding your tater tots, you're ready to move on to the cooking stage. Set your timer and let the air fryer work its magic!

Place the tater tots in a single layer

When placing the tater tots in the air fryer, it's important to arrange them in a single layer for even cooking and optimal crispness. This means that the tots can touch, but they shouldn't be stacked or overlapped. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may only be able to fit half a bag of tater tots at a time. If you have more than a single layer's worth of tots, cook them in batches to ensure even cooking.

When arranging the tater tots in the air fryer, be sure to leave enough space between them to allow for proper air circulation. Air fryers cook by rushing hot air down onto the food, so leaving space between the tots will ensure that the hot air can circulate effectively. This will result in evenly cooked and crispy tater tots.

Additionally, avoid flipping the tater tots with a spatula during cooking, as they can easily break apart before their crusts have crisped. Instead, gently shake the air fryer basket or tray halfway through the cooking process to toss the tots and ensure even cooking.

Cook for 10-15 minutes

Once you've placed your tater tots in the air fryer, you'll want to cook them for 10-15 minutes. The exact cooking time will depend on your desired level of crispiness, but generally, you'll want to air fry them for around 12 minutes.

For basket-model air fryers, it's best to cook the tater tots for seven minutes, shake the basket, and then continue cooking for another five to seven minutes. This will ensure that they are crispy and cooked to your liking. If you're using an oven-style air fryer, simply air fry the tater tots for 13 minutes.

It's important to note that you should not flip the tater tots with a spatula during the cooking process, as they can easily break apart. Instead, shake the basket halfway through to toss them.

Additionally, if you want your tater tots to be extra crispy, you can add one to two minutes to the cooking time.

Shake the basket halfway through

Shaking the basket halfway through cooking is an important step in ensuring your tater tots cook evenly and end up with a consistent level of crispiness. It's best to avoid flipping the tots with a spatula, as they can easily break apart before their crusts have crisped. Instead, simply shake the basket to toss the tots and ensure they cook evenly on all sides.

Depending on the type of air fryer you have, you may need to adjust the timing of when you shake the basket. For basket-style air fryers, shake the basket after the first 7 minutes of cooking, then continue cooking for another 5-7 minutes. For oven-style air fryers, there's no need to flip the tots, but you can give the rack a gentle shake when you first place the tots inside to help spread them out.

Shaking the basket is also a good opportunity to spritz the tots with a light coat of cooking oil to enhance their crispiness, although this is not necessary as frozen tater tots already contain oil.

Serve with your favourite sauce

Now that you've made your crispy tater tots in the air fryer, it's time to serve them with your favourite sauce! Here are some ideas to get you started:

Ketchup is a classic choice that pairs perfectly with the crispy potato bites. It adds a touch of sweetness and a creamy texture that complements the crunch of the tater tots. You can also try other condiments like mustard or barbecue sauce.

If you're feeling adventurous, why not try cheese sauce? The creamy, cheesy flavour is a perfect match for the potato. For something with a kick, dip them in nacho cheese sauce or try a honey buffalo sauce. Ranch dressing is another excellent option for a cool, creamy dip with a hint of spice.

Don't be afraid to experiment! Try a variety of sauces and dips to find your favourite. You can even sprinkle your tater tots with seasonings like garlic and herb, Cajun spice, or taco seasoning to give them an extra flavour boost before dipping. Enjoy exploring the endless possibilities of sauces and dips to elevate your crispy tater tots!

Frequently asked questions