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.
Get ready to learn exactly how to make the crispiest tater tots ever using the air fryer. Air Fryer Tater Tots are the perfect addition to any meal, or a wonderful snack or appetizer.
AIR FRYER TATER TOTS RECIPE
All you need is a bag of frozen tater tots. These tots are crispy and golden brown on the outside and tender and hot inside. What could be better?
Thanks to the ingenuity of your trusted Air Fryer, there's no need for oil or any other ingredients. Making frozen tater tots in the air fryer is super simple, fast, and healthier too.
For me, frozen tater tots are a staple when it comes to feeding my hungry kids. They go with everything, and are always well-recieved by my family. You really can't go wrong if you make air fryer tater tots with dinner.
If you are looking for more easy frozen air fryer 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, french fries, or hashbrowns.
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 to your tater tots.
We have lots more delicious gluten-free recipes on this site. You can find them all by clicking here.
Did you know that we have a sister site where everything is gluten free? It is called VegetarianMamma. If you want to find the gluten free air fryer recipes on that site, visit here.
INGREDIENTS FOR AIR FRYER TATER TOTS
You only need a bag of frozen tater tots! You do not need any added oil to get super crispy air fryer tater tots, as most frozen potato products have oil already added to them.
Maybe you call tater tots potato puffs? It doesn't matter what you call them, you can make crispy potato puffs in the air fryer too!
You likely should not cook the whole bag of tots at one time though. Only use as many tater tots as you can fit in your air fryer basket in a single layer. Stacking them on top of each other won't allow them to get crispy. I suggest using about 2 cups, but you may need less if your air fryer is smaller.
If you have any questions about Air Fryer Tater Tots, please leave a comment and I will get back to you ASAP!
HOW TO MAKE TATER TOTS IN AIR FRYER
- Measure out a couple of cups of frozen tater tots. No need to be too precise, but two cups is about the amount that fits in my air fryer basket.
- 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 them from the basket and allow them to cool for a minute or two. You don't want to burn your mouth!
Serve with your favorite main dish like air fryer hamburgers or air fryer hot dogs and enjoy!
TIPS FOR COOKING FROZEN POTATOES IN AIR FRYER
Whether you prefer tater tots, hashbrowns, or steak fries, 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.
Be sure to shake or stir your frozen tater tots or fries a few times while they are cooking in the air fryer. This allows them to get crispy all around.
Keep in mind that there are lots of different models of air fryers on the market, and many of them have different controls, buttons 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!).
Once you know how long it takes to make tater tots in your air fryer, you will be able to make them from memory, or teach others in your house (Think older kids and hungry teens!) to make their own tater tots.
HOW TO AIR FRYER TATER TOTS IN A NINJA FOODI
We have lots of Ninja Foodi Air Fryer Recipes here! There isn't a specific Ninja Foodi Tater Tot recipe yet, but it can definitely be done. The Ninja Foodi tends to need less cooking time than other air fryers, so just keep an eye on your tater tots so they don't burn.
CAN I MAKE SWEET POTATO TOTS IN THE 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.
While this recipe gives you instructions for making super crispy tater tots, sweet potato tots typically do not crisp as much as standard potato tots so you may not get the same results.
You may need to play around with your air fryer settings until you get sweet potato tots to crisp well. Try adding a few extra minutes or increasing the heat.
You might like these instructions for making Frozen Sweet Potato Fries in the Air Fryer.
CAN I MAKE MINI TATER TOTS IN THE AIR FRYER?
Yes, you can, but you will want to reduce the amount of time in the air fryer. Mini tater tots should only need to air fry for about 8-15 minutes total, so shake them after 4 or 5 minutes, and watch to be sure they don't overcook.
WHAT TO SERVE WITH AIR FRYER TATER TOTS
I haven't met too many meals that aren't made better with a side of crispy tots!
Serve air fryer tater tots with Unbreaded Air Fryer Chicken Tenders, Air Fryer Cube Steak, or Air Fryer Tilapia. Add a simple vegetable and you have a well-balanced dinner ready in no time.
HOW DO YOU STORE LEFTOVER TATER TOTS?
Leftover cooked tater tots can be refrozen or stored in the fridge. To store any leftover air fryer tater tots in the freezer, 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 toss them back into your air fryer for a few minutes to crisp them up before serving again, maybe as Tater Tot Nachos.
ARE AIR FRYER TATER TOTS HEALTHY?
Making tater tots in the air fryer is healthier than deep frying them, because there is no need to add any extra oil or fat to get them crispy.
WHY DO MY TATER TOTS STICK TOGETHER?
They will sometimes stick together if the tots are touching each other. To avoid this, be sure to leave a bit of room between each tater tot. Shaking the air fryer basket a few times during cooking is important, and will also help to keep the tater tots from sticking together.
MORE EASY AIR FRYER SIDE DISH RECIPES
We have so many air fryer recipes to choose from! You're sure to find some new favorites here.
If you are having trouble figuring out which one to try next, we suggest these simple air fryer side dishes: Air Fryer Potatoes (from a can), Air Fryer Sweet Potato, Carrots (baby carrots) In the Air Fryer, Air Fryer Broccoli and Air Fryer Brussel Sprouts
MORE FROZEN FOODS TO MAKE IN THE AIR FRYER
Frozen Dumplings come out crispy and delicious in the air fryer in just a few minutes.
Or try making some Air Fryer Frozen Pierogies. Did you know you could make frozen Pierogies in the air fryer in under 15 minutes? I love making them in the air fryer so much better than any other method.
Having some friends over? Or maybe you are a late-night snacker? Then try some Air Fryer Frozen Popcorn Shrimp or Air Fryer Frozen Meatballs. Crispy Air Fryer Ravioli is another appetizer favorite. All of these snacks are great to share or keep all to yourself!
Kids will love it when you serve them Frozen Mozzarella Sticks or Frozen Mini Corndogs that you made in the air fryer. Don't forget the dipping sauces!
Make sure you check out all of our Potato Recipes on Air Fryer Eats. We have over 15 different family-friendly ways to cook potatoes in the air fryer.
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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/ 200°C for 18-20 minutes.
- Shake the tater tots in 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.
- Pro Tip: Check your food as it cooks. Each air fryer runs a bit differently. Sometimes air frying is a trial and error process. Check your food as it cooks to learn your air fryer better! When cooking a new recipe or food items be sure to check your food often to help avoid over/under cooking.
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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