Air Fryer Frozen Tots: Quick, Easy, And Delicious

Tater tots are bite-sized potato snacks that are crispy on the outside and soft on the inside. They are a great snack to have on hand in the freezer and can be whipped up in an air fryer in a matter of minutes. This article will explain how to make frozen tots in an air fryer.

Preheat the air fryer

Preheating your air fryer is an important step in the process of making frozen tots. While some sources say that preheating is not necessary, others claim that it helps to ensure the tots cook evenly and come out extra crispy. If you do choose to preheat your air fryer, there are a few things to keep in mind.

First, you'll want to set your air fryer to the correct temperature. Most recipes recommend preheating the air fryer to 400 degrees Fahrenheit, though one source suggests a lower temperature of 350 degrees for reheating tots. The amount of time needed to preheat your air fryer may vary depending on the model, but most sources recommend preheating for 1-5 minutes.

It's also important to note that not all air fryers require preheating. Some models may be designed to heat up quickly, eliminating the need for a separate preheating step. Additionally, it's worth checking if your air fryer has any specific instructions or recommendations for preheating, as this can vary from model to model.

Once your air fryer has finished preheating, you can move on to the next step of adding the frozen tots and following the cooking instructions.

Use frozen tots straight from the freezer

Using frozen tots straight from the freezer is a quick and convenient way to make tater tots in your air fryer. There's no need to defrost or pre-cook them first. Simply follow these steps:

Preheat your air fryer: This step is optional, but it can help ensure your tots cook evenly and get extra crispy. Preheat your air fryer to 400°F for 2-3 minutes or 1 minute, depending on the model.

Prepare the air fryer basket: If needed, prepare the air fryer basket by brushing or spraying it with olive oil, avocado oil, or lining it with parchment paper. Some air fryers may not require this step.

Place the frozen tots in the air fryer: Spread the frozen tots in a single layer in the air fryer basket. It's okay if they touch or overlap slightly, but avoid stacking them. Fill the basket up to halfway for best results.

Air fry the tots: Cook the tots at 400°F for 10-15 minutes, depending on your desired level of crispiness. Shake or toss the basket halfway through cooking to ensure even cooking. For extra crispy tots, add 1-2 minutes to the cooking time.

Serve: Remove the tots from the air fryer and serve immediately. Tater tots can be served as a side dish, snack, or appetizer with your favourite dipping sauces, such as ketchup, mustard, BBQ sauce, or cheese sauce.

By following these simple steps, you can enjoy perfectly crispy and delicious tater tots straight from your air fryer, without the need for any additional oil or defrosting.

Cook for 10-15 minutes at 400°F

Once you've heated up your air fryer to 400°F, it's time to cook your tater tots. Place them in the fryer, ensuring they're in a single layer—it's fine if they touch, but they'll be crispier if they're not overlapping. Close the fryer and leave them to cook for 10-15 minutes.

Halfway through the cooking time, you'll need to shake the basket to toss the tater tots. This will ensure they cook evenly. Depending on your desired level of crispiness, you may want to add another minute or two to the cooking time.

Once they're golden brown and crispy, your tater tots are ready to serve. You can sprinkle them with seasoned salt or your favourite spice blend, or serve them with a dip such as ketchup, BBQ sauce, honey mustard, or ranch dressing.

Shake the basket halfway through

Shaking the basket halfway through is an important step in ensuring your tots cook evenly. Unless your tots are in a single layer, you must shake the basket to move the tots from the centre to the outside and vice versa, allowing them to be exposed to the hot air that cooks them. The more you fill your basket, the more often you should shake—if you're cooking one or two servings, shaking once should be enough, but if you're cooking a whole bag, you should shake three or four times.

Shaking also helps the tots become crispy on all sides. Tater tots can easily break apart once they're thawed but before their crusts have crisped, so shaking is preferable to flipping with a spatula.

Serve with your favourite sauce

Tater tots are a versatile dish that can be served as a side or a snack. They go well with a variety of sauces and dips, so you can get creative and experiment with different flavours. Here are some ideas for sauces and dips to serve with your air-fried tater tots:

Ketchup

A classic choice for a reason, ketchup is a perfect pairing for tater tots. Its sweet and tangy flavour complements the crispy potato bites.

Mustard

For those who like a little kick, mustard is a great option. It adds a sharp, pungent twist to your tots.

Cheese Sauce

Cheese sauce is a delicious, indulgent dip for tater tots. The creamy, cheesy sauce pairs wonderfully with the crispy potatoes.

Barbecue Sauce

Barbecue sauce adds a smoky, slightly sweet flavour to your tater tots. It's a great choice for those who like a bit of extra flavour.

Ranch Dressing

Ranch dressing is a cool and creamy option for dipping your tater tots. It adds a refreshing twist to the crispy snack.

Honey Mustard

A sweet and tangy option, honey mustard combines the sharpness of mustard with the sweetness of honey. It's a perfect balance of flavours.

Big Mac Sauce

If you're feeling adventurous, try dipping your tater tots in Big Mac sauce. It's a unique and flavourful option that will take your taste buds on a journey.

Nacho Cheese Sauce

For a spicy, cheesy treat, dip your tater tots in nacho cheese sauce. It's a fun and indulgent choice that will satisfy your cravings.

Honey Buffalo Sauce

Honey buffalo sauce offers a sweet and spicy kick to your tater tots. It's a unique twist on the classic buffalo sauce that will keep your taste buds guessing.

The possibilities are endless when it comes to sauces and dips for tater tots. Get creative, experiment with different combinations, and find your new favourite!

Frequently asked questions