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Air Fryer Frozen Tater Tots

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Air frying frozen tater tots is the perfect way to enjoy a delicious and crispy quick snack! This is a great change from French fries. Made with just a few ingredients, this air fryer recipe is so easy to make and ready in about 30 minutes. These are seriously the best tater tots, ever that need no deep frying!

Air Fryer tater tots in a red basket.

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Below you will find tips, tricks and helpful hints for making this recipe including step by step instructions with pictures. If you would like to go directly to the recipe, scroll down to the recipe card or tap “Jump to Recipe” at the top of the page.

Why You’ll Love this Recipe

When it comes to air fryer recipes, these crispy tater tots are definitely at the top of our list. They are so quick and easy to make, and they always come out perfectly crispy.

I love to enjoy them as a snack or side dish, and they are also great for meal prep.

Ingredients

To make this crispy air fryer tater tots recipe, you will need:

  • 1 bag of frozen tater tots, 16 oz
  • 1 tablespoon of oil (if desired)
  • Salt, to taste
A bag of Frozen Tater Tots

How to Make Frozen Tater Tots in an Air Fryer

[1] Preheat your air fryer to 400 degrees Fahrenheit.

Frozen Tater Tots in an air fryer basket.

[2] Add the frozen tater tots in a single layer to the air fryer basket and drizzle with oil (if desired, you can also spray with cooking spray). Season with salt or your favorite seasoning, to taste.

Frozen Tater Tots in an air fryer basket.

[3] Cooking time is 15-20 minutes, or until crispy and golden brown. Shake the basket every 5 minutes. Serve immediately. Enjoy!

Air Fryer tater tots in a red basket.

Why This Recipe Works

This air fryer recipe is so easy to make and only requires a few ingredients. The tater tots are cooked in the air fryer until they are crispy and golden brown, and they come out perfect every time. This is definitely a snack that the whole family will love!

Variations

  • For a cheesy version, top the tater tots with shredded cheese during the last few minutes of cooking.
  • For a spicy version, add some chili powder or cayenne pepper to the tater tots before cooking.
  • For a loaded version, top the tater tots with bacon, sour cream, and chives. Check out my recipe for Loaded “Totchos” here!
  • For a vegetarian version, substitute the tater tots for sweet potato tots.

How to Serve

These air fryer tater tots are perfect for a quick and easy snack or side dish. We love to enjoy them plain, but they are also great with dipping sauces like ketchup, BBQ sauce, or ranch dressing. They would also be delicious served alongside a grilled chicken breast or fish filet. So good!

Tater Tot Dipping Sauces:

Air Fryer tater tots in a red basket with ketchup.

Expert Tips

  • For best results, we recommend using frozen tater tots for this recipe. Just make sure to cook them long enough so that they are nice and crispy on the outside.
  • Feel free to add your favorite toppings or favorite sauces to these tater tots from the grocery store. Some of our favorites include shredded cheese, bacon, sour cream, chives, seasoning salt, taco seasoning.

Are Tater Tots Gluten Free?

Most tater tots are not gluten free as they contain wheat flour. However, there are some brands that make gluten free tater tots. Be sure to check the labels before purchasing for your gluten-free diet.

Tips for Cooking Frozen Potatoes in Air Fryer

  • For best results, cook the frozen potatoes from a bag of your favorite brand in a single even layer so that they cook evenly.
  • Do not overcrowd the air fryer basket. This will cause the potatoes to steam and not get crispy.

If your potatoes are not getting crispy, try cooking them at a higher temperature.

Air Fryer tater tots in a red basket with ketchup.

FAQs

Can I use fresh potatoes for this recipe?

I recommend using frozen tater tots for this recipe, but you can certainly use fresh potatoes. Just make sure to cook them for a little longer, about 25-30 minutes.

Can I make this recipe ahead of time?

Yes, you can definitely make this recipe ahead of time. Just cook the tater tots according to the instructions and then store them in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. When you’re ready to eat, just reheat in the air fryer for a few minutes until crispy.

How do I store leftovers?

Leftover air fryer tots can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Just reheat in the air fryer for a few minutes until crispy.

Can I Make Sweet Potato Tots in the Air Fryer?

Yes, you can certainly make sweet potato tots in the air fryer. Just follow the same instructions as for the regular tater tots. You may need to cook them for a few minutes longer, depending on the size of the sweet potato tots.

Can I Make Mini Tater Tots in the Air Fryer?

Yes, you can certainly make mini tater tots in the air fryer. These are some of my favorite snacks! Just follow the same instructions as for the regular tater tots. You may need to cook them for a few minutes less, depending on the size of the mini tater tots.

Air Fryer tater tots in a red basket with ketchup.

Are Air Fryer Tater Tots Healthy?

Air fryer tater tots are a healthier alternative to traditional fried tater tots. They are cooked in an air fryer, which uses less oil than traditional frying methods. However, they are still a high calorie food so enjoy them in moderation.

Why do my Tater Tots Stick Together?

If your tater tots are sticking together, it is likely because they were not cooked in a single layer. Be sure to cook the tater tots in a single layer so that they have space to crisp up and do not stick together. You may not be able to cook a whole bag at once.

My tater tots are not crispy. What can I do?

If your tater tots are not getting crispy, try cooking them for a few more minutes. I find that cooking at 400 degrees Fahrenheit for about 15-20 minutes yields the best results.

What are Tater tots?

Tater tots are an easy recipe that yields small, bite-sized pieces of deep fried potatoes. They are a popular side dish and can be enjoyed plain or with dipping sauces. Tater tots can also be used as a topping for salads, casseroles, and more.

Air Fryer tater tots in a red basket.

What to Serve with Air Fryer Tater Tots

These air fryer tater tots are perfect for a quick and easy snack or side dish. We love to enjoy them plain, but they are also great with dipping sauces like ketchup, barbecue sauce, cheese sauce, ranch dressing, or your favorite dipping sauce. They would also be delicious served alongside a grilled chicken breast or fish filet. So good!

Additional Air Fryer Recipes

Air Fryer tater tots in a red basket.

Air Fryer Frozen Tater Tots

Yield: 1 Bag of Tater Tots
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 20 minutes

Air frying frozen tater tots is the perfect way to enjoy a delicious and crispy quick snack! This is a great change from French fries. Made with just a few ingredients, this air fryer recipe is so easy to make and ready in about 20 minutes. These are seriously the best tater tots, ever that need no deep frying!

Ingredients

  • 1 Bag Frozen Tater Tots, 16 ounces
  • 1 Tablespoon Oil
  • Salt, to taste

Instructions

  1. Preheat air fryer to 400 degrees Fahrenheit.
  2. Add the frozen tater tots to the air fryer basket and drizzle with oil. Season with salt, to taste.
  3. Cook for 15-20 minutes, or until crispy and golden brown. Shake the basket every 5 minutes. Serve immediately. Enjoy!

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