Classic, crispy tater tots come out perfect in the Air Fryer every time! With just one simple ingredient and 20 minutes, you'll be ready to dig right into this nostalgic side dish.
Air Fryer Tator Tots are one of the easiest air fryer recipes. All you need is a bag of frozen tater tots. Thanks to the ingenuity of your trusted Air Fryer, there's no need for oil or anything other ingredients. If you're looking for more potato recipes, check out my air fryer French fries and air fryer baked potato posts.
Are tater tots gluten free?
Yes! Potatoes are gluten-free, as are most minimally processed potato products like tater tots. If you follow a gluten-free diet, remember to check the ingredients on the nutrition label to make sure that no wheat products have been added.
You can find more delicious gluten-free recipes here.
How to Make Tater Tots in an Air Fryer
- Measure out a couple of cups of frozen tater tots.
- Place the tater tots into the basket of your air fryer in a single layer.
- Cook the tots at 400 degrees F for 18-20 minutes.
- Remove the basket 2-3 times while cooking and shake the tater tots around a bit to make sure that they cook evenly on all sides.
When your tater tots are done cooking, remove from the basket and allow them to cool for a minute or two. Serve with your favorite main dish like air fryer hamburgers or air fryer hot dogs and enjoy!
Tips for Cooking Potatoes in an Air Fryer
When it comes to cooking potato products, it can be tricky to get the right texture. Depending on the thickness and variety of potato, you may have to adjust your cooking time up or down to ensure that the potatoes are cooked through.
Keep in mind that there are lots of different models of air fryers on the market, and many of them have different controls and temperature settings. Be sure to refer to your air fryer's manual for more information on how to adjust the settings for your specific model (until you become that air fryer expert).
Can I make sweet potato tots in an air fryer?
While you can technically make sweet potato tots in an air fryer, please keep in mind that this recipe does not apply to sweet potato tots.
Sweet potato tots typically do not crisp as much as standard potato tots. You may need to play around with your air fryer settings until you get sweet potato tots to crisp well.
How do you store leftover tater tots?
To store any leftover air fryer tater tots, place them into a zip lock freezer bag, then lay the bag flat on your countertop. Gently shake the tots out so that they are in a flat, single layer, then press out all of the air before sealing.
Pop the air fryer tots into your freezer until you're ready to use them again. Add your leftover frozen tater tots to a Mexican Tater Tot Casserole or pop them back into your air fryer for a few minutes to crisp them up before serving again.
Are you looking for more easy side dish recipes that you can make in your air fryer? Try these out!:
- Air Fryer Potatoes (from a can)
- Air Fryer Sweet Potato
- Carrots (baby carrots) In the Air Fryer
- Air Fryer Broccoli
- Air Fryer Brussel Sprouts
Looking for purchase an air fryer? Wondering which air fryer is right for you? Here are my TOP picks of air fryers on the market today!
Pro Tip: This recipe can be made in the air fryer unit with a basket or the air fryer oven. If you are using the air fryer oven, use the middle rack and select the "Air Fry" function.
Meat Air Fryer Resources - We have a Meat/Veg Air Fryer Newsletter, which you can subscribe to here. We also have several Air Fryer Facebook Groups that you can join (see below for links).
Vegetarian Air Fryer Resources – We have a vegetarian air fryer newsletter, which you can subscribe to here. We also have a specific vegetarian air fryer recipes group on facebook. You can find that Veg Air Fryer FB Group here.
If you are looking for vegetarian recipes beyond air fryer ones, we have a Vegetarian Newsletter as well as a Vegetarian Recipes facebook group. This newsletter and FB group offers up recipes that on the stove, in the oven, on the grill, in the instant pot and more!
Other Resources:
- Air Fryer Calculator (convert oven recipes to air fryer)
- Common Air Fryer Mistakes
- Air Fryer Cooking Times Cheat Sheet
- Can You Put Foil in the Air Fryer
- How to Clean Your Air Fryer
- Tips for Your Air Fryer
- Cosori Air Fryer Reviews
More Air Fryer Goodies:
- Meat + Veg Newsletter
- Air Fryer Recipes – Facebook Group (large + fast paced – meat/veg)
- Air Fryer Recipes for Seniors – Facebook Group
- Gluten Free Air Fryer Recipes – Facebook Group
- Air Fryer Eats – Facebook Group (slower paced)
Have you made this recipe? Please leave a comment AND rating below! It helps other readers! Be sure to tag @AirFryerEats on instagram, if you share a picture on the gram! Let's get social, you can follow me on Youtube, Instagram, Facebook, Pinterest or join one of our Air Fryer Facebook Groups: Air Fryer Recipes, Air Fryer Recipes for Seniors and Gluten Free Air Fryer Recipes. Don't forget to subscribe to our EMAIL newsletter.
Air Fryer Tater Tots
Equipment
- Air fryer
Ingredients
- 2 cups frozen tater tots
Instructions
- Measure out 2 cups of tater tots.
- Place the tater tots into the basket of your air fryer in a single layer.
- Air fry the tater tots at 400 degrees F for 18-20 minutes.
- Shake out the air fryer basket 2-3 times while cooking to ensure that they cook evenly.
- Serve your air fryer tater tots and enjoy!
Video
Notes
- This recipe is for white potato tater tots. Sweet potato tater tots will not get crispy enough using these directions.
- This recipe creates crispy, well-done tater tots. Keep in mind that cook times will vary based on the model of your air fryer. Increase or decrease time for more well done or less well done tater tots.
- Pro Tip: This recipe can be made in the air fryer unit with a basket or the air fryer oven. If you are using the air fryer oven, use the middle rack and select the "Air Fry" function.
Nutrition
Air Fryers can vary greatly. Please take the time to learn your specific air fryer. You may need to adjust times and temperatures based upon your air fryer. All though this website attempts to provide accurate nutritional information, the information should only be considered an estimate. Varying factors such as different product types, different brands, etc. can change nutritional information. It is your responsibility as a consumer to read all labels to make sure the ingredients fit your dietary needs as well as calculate your own nutritional information as a double check.
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Jennifer Allen
I'm still getting used to my air fryer and love all these tips! I'm going to try Tater Tots in my AF next!
Cindy
Enjoy Jennifer, please come back and let us know how the air fryer tots turned out!
Shannon
Ooooh I love these tator tots in the air fryer. They come out so crispy and not mushy at all!
Cindy
Totally agree Shannon, the air fryer tater tots are our fav!!
Haley D Williams
Air fryers are amazing! I love how crispy your photos make these look! Having them soon with some sloppy joes I think!
Cindy
Oh Haley, what a great idea! These air fryer tater tots would be perfect with some sloppy joes!
Ashley
I've got a little compact air fryer -- and I'm always so hesitant to use it! These tater tots turned out so crispy and delicious!
Cindy
You have got to try these tots!
HANNAH HEALY
This looks soo good! I love how easy this recipe is...these tots would be perfect dipped in some ketchup. Yum!
Cindy
Couldn't agree more, these air fryer tots are delicious with ketchup!
Alex
Dude, hands off my tots! hahaha Loved that movie! Anyway, tots are SOOOOOO good heated in the air fryer. They get SOOOOOO crispy on the outside! love them!
Cindy
hahaha, great movie! So glad you love the tots Alex!
Thelma
I can't believe how quickly they cook and how crispy they get. Super good!
Cindy
Super quick and super crispy!!
Shanda
The entire family loved how these tots came out of the air fryer! We had them with chili dogs last night! Thanks for the correct temp and time!
Cindy
Hi Shanda, yay for tots! So glad your family liked them!
Rachel
Made these for an afternoon snack! Delish!
Cindy
Sounds like a yummy afternoon snack to me!
Jeanette
These turned out. Love how crispy they get.
Cindy
Thank you, glad you liked the tots!
Lanette
This worked perfect for an afternoon snack!
Cindy
Hi Lanette, so glad these worked out well for you!