Air Fryer Tater Tots

These Air Fryer Tater Tots are the crispiest and easiest snack ever! These golden bites are easy to make, starting with a bag of frozen tots, and are guaranteed to bring crispy to the next level. A great side or snack that you won't be able to resist!

Easy Air Fryer Potato Recipes

Say goodbye to the hassle of lengthy cooking times and hello to quick, easy, and delicious potatoes using the air fryer. Air fryer potato recipes are the answer when the craving strikes for crispy fries, savory wedges, or perfectly seasoned hash browns. And the air fryer makes it seem effortless -  easy prep, fast cooking, and all without compromising flavor.

My favorite recipes that I turn to all the time include these dinner-worthy air fryer fingerling potatoes or air fryer rosemary potatoes, and these to-die-for air fryer home fries that are perfect for a weekend breakfast.

Can you air fry tater tots?

Yes, absolutely! That's what this article is all about. Keep reading to find out the best way to air fry tater tots and so much more about them.

Why You'll Love Air Frying Tater Tots

Quick and Easy - just 15 minutes from freezer to table! They make a great last minute side.

Crispy - The best potatoes are always crispy on the outside and soft and fluffy on the inside. And these tater tots in the air fryer are all that in spades.

Handy - just keep a package or two of tater tots in the freezer and pop some in the air fryer whenever the craving strikes. So easy - maybe a little too easy. lol

Simple to customize - make them your own with different seasonings and toppings. See suggestions below.

Ingredients

Here's what you'll need for the basic air fryer tater tots recipe. The exact measurements are in the printable recipe card below.

• Bag of Tater Tots
• Salt
• Cooking Spray - I like to use avocado or olive oil spray (not shown)

Best Tater Tots for Air Frying

While you can make homemade tater tots and air fry them, it's so much easier and more convenient to use frozen tater tots. The best frozen tater tots are the ones you enjoy. The most popular ones are Ore Ida.

Other brands of tater tots are Alexia, Birds Eye, Cascadia Farms, Lamb Weston, McCain, and Sonic. There are also store brands including Albertsons, Aldi, Great Value, Kroger, Meijer, Publix, and many more.

Note that Ore Ida trademarked "Tater Tots" so the other brands call them crispy tots, potato puffs, potato tots, tater bites, or tater puffs. There are also crispy crowns or tater rounds which are round versions of the tots.

There are also frozen cauliflower tots and sweet potato tater tots you can use instead of regular potato ones.

Air Fryer for Tater Tots

The air fryer I use and recommend for air fryer tots is Cosori.

Other popular brands are Ninja, Instant Pot, and PowerXL.

Both an air fryer oven (like a toaster oven) and one with a basket will work for air fryer tater tots. Just note that cooking times can vary depending on the brand and type.

Air Fryer Frozen Tater Tots Time and Temp

These are the two most commonly asked questions when it comes to cooking frozen tater tots in the air fryer:

How Long to Cook Tater Tots in Air Fryer

Are you wondering how long to air fry tater tots? For this recipe, the tater tots air fryer time is 15 minutes. Note that air fryer time can vary depending on the type and brand of air fryer.

Air Fryer Temperature for Tater Tots

For this recipe, the air fryer temp for tater tots is 400°F. This cooks the tots quickly and makes them crispy.

Recipe Tips

• Air fry tater tots in a single layer with room between them for the most even cooking.
• Cook in batches and keep them warm in the oven on the lowest heat setting.
• Halfway through the cooking time, give the basket a good shake or use tongs to flip the tots. This ensures all sides get evenly crispy and browned.
• Consider using parchment liners specifically made for air fryers. They can make the clean-up process easier and prevent the tots from sticking to the basket.
• Mini tater tots will take less time to cook.
• For extra crispy tater tots, cook them for another 1 to 2 minutes until they are a dark golden brown.

Seasonings for Tater Tots

While classic salted tater tots are always a hit, flavored tater tots can transform this simple snack into a gourmet treat. Here are some seasoning ideas for tater tots:

• Old Bay Seasoning: Perfect for a hint of spice and warmth. Old Bay's unique blend of herbs and spices, including celery salt, red pepper, and paprika, adds a zesty kick.
• Steak Seasoning: Bring a robust and hearty flavor to your tots with steak seasoning. It typically includes a blend of garlic, onion, and various peppers, perfect for those who love a bold taste.
• Paprika - Regular or Smoked: Paprika, whether sweet, mild, or smoked, adds a beautiful color and a subtle, sweet pepper flavor.
• Jerk Seasoning: If you love Caribbean flavors, jerk seasoning will transport your taste buds. Its combination of allspice, nutmeg, and hot peppers is both spicy and aromatic.
• Taco Seasoning: Give your tots a Mexican twist with taco seasoning, a blend of chili pepper, cumin, paprika, and other spices.
• Italian Seasoning: For a touch of Italian flair, this mix of basil, oregano, rosemary, and thyme offers a fragrant and herby taste.
• Greek Seasoning: Incorporate the flavors of the Mediterranean with a blend of oregano, thyme, garlic, and lemon zest.
• Cajun Seasoning: Spice things up with Cajun seasoning. A lively mix of paprika, cayenne, garlic powder, and other spices offers a New Orleans-style kick.
• Seasoned Salt: A simple yet flavorful option, seasoned salt is a blend of salt, herbs, and spices like garlic powder and paprika.
• Garlic Powder or Garlic Salt: For garlic lovers, these are great options. They add a rich and aromatic garlic flavor that's hard to resist.
• Ranch Seasoning: For a tangy and creamy taste, ranch seasoning is perfect. It combines the flavors of buttermilk, garlic, onion, and herbs.

Each of these seasonings can be sprinkled on the tater tots before or after cooking, depending on your preference. Feel free to mix and match these seasonings to create your unique flavor combinations. Get creative and enjoy the deliciousness!

Dip for Tater Tots

Tater tots are delicious on their own, but pairing them with the right dip can elevate this classic snack to a whole new level. Whether you prefer something creamy, tangy, spicy, or sweet, there's a dip for every palate. Here are some popular options:

• Ketchup: A classic pairing, ketchup's sweet and tangy taste is a tried-and-true complement to the crispy, golden exterior of tater tots.
• BBQ Sauce: For a smoky and slightly sweet flavor, BBQ sauce is an excellent choice. It pairs well with the crispy texture of tater tots.
• Honey Mustard Sauce: This sauce offers a perfect balance of sweet and tangy. The creamy texture and zesty flavor of honey mustard make it a delightful dip for tater tots.
• Ranch Dressing: Creamy and herby, ranch dressing is a crowd-pleaser. Its cool and refreshing taste pairs well with the warm crunchiness of tater tots.
• Queso (Mexican Cheese Sauce): For a cheesy, slightly spicy kick, queso is a fantastic choice. The rich and creamy texture of this melted cheese sauce makes it irresistible with tater tots.
• Guacamole or Avocado Crema: If you prefer a fresher, more wholesome dip, guacamole or avocado crema is perfect. The creamy texture and rich flavor of avocado, combined with lime and cilantro, offer a delightful contrast to the crispy tots.

Each dip brings its unique flavor and texture, making your tater tot experience even more enjoyable. Feel free to serve multiple dip options for a fun and tasty snack spread.

What to Serve with Tater Tots

Tater tots are incredibly versatile and can be paired with a variety of main dishes. Whether you're looking for something hearty, casual, or a bit more sophisticated, there's a perfect pairing out there. Here are some great options to consider:

• Burgers, Grilled Cheese, or Other Sandwiches/Wraps: Tater tots are a classic side for these American staples. They add a crunchy texture to complement the softness of the bread and the juiciness of the fillings.
• Steak: Elevate your steak dinner with a side of crispy tater tots. They're a fun alternative to the traditional baked potato or fries.
• Mexican Dishes: Add a side of tater tots to burritos, tacos, or enchiladas for a delightful contrast in textures.
• Chili: Serve tater tots on the side or even on top of a bowl of warm, spicy chili for a comforting meal, especially on chilly evenings.
• Soup: Pairing tater tots with soup offers a satisfying crunch alongside your favorite creamy or brothy soups.
• Hot Dogs or Bratwurst: Perfect for a backyard barbecue or a casual family dinner, tater tots are a great accompaniment to hot dogs or bratwurst.
• Fish Sticks: Pairing fish sticks with tots brings back nostalgic memories and is a hit with both kids and adults alike.
• Chicken Tenders or Wings: Whether you're hosting a game day or just enjoying a casual meal, tater tots alongside chicken tenders or crispy wings make for a delightful combo.

Tater tots are a fantastic side dish because they're not only delicious but also easy to prepare. They can easily adapt to any meal, adding a fun and tasty element to your dining experience.

Recipe Variations - Tater Tot Toppings

Tater tots are not only tasty on their own but also serve as a fantastic canvas for a variety of toppings. These variations can turn your basic tater tots into a mouth-watering treat or even a full meal. Here are some creative and tasty topping ideas:

• Loaded Tater Tots: Just like a loaded baked potato, top your tater tots with sour cream, bacon bits, chives, and shredded cheese for a hearty and indulgent treat.
• Nacho Tater Tots (Totchos): Give your tots a nacho twist by adding jalapeños, diced tomatoes, green onions, shredded cheese, and a dollop of sour cream.
• Cheesy Tater Tots: There's nothing like cheese to elevate tater tots. Sprinkle on some shredded Cheddar or grated Parmesan.
• Bacon Tater Tots: Bacon adds a smoky flavor that complements the crispy tots beautifully.
• Bacon Cheddar Tater Tots: A classic combination of crispy bacon bits and cheddar cheese.
• BBQ Tater Tots: Drizzle your tots with barbecue sauce and top with a sprinkle of crispy onions for a sweet and tangy flavor.
• Chili Tater Tots: Top your tater tots with a hearty spoonful of chili for a warm and filling dish.
• Brisket Tater Tots: For a meaty topping, add chopped smoked brisket over your tater tots, finished with a drizzle of barbecue sauce.
• Jalapeño Tater Tots: For those who like it hot, top your tater tots with sliced jalapeños, either fresh or pickled.

Each of these variations brings its unique flavor and texture to the table, transforming the humble tater tot into an exciting and flavorful dish.

How to Store Leftovers

Allow the leftover tater tots to cool to room temperature before storing. However, don't leave them out for more than 2 hours to avoid bacterial growth.

Place the cooled tater tots in an airtight container or a resealable plastic bag.

Store the container in the refrigerator. They will last up to 4 days.

Once cooked, do not refreeze tater tots. You can only refreeze uncooked frozen tater tots if the tots still contain ice crystals or are at 40°F or below.

How to Reheat Tater Tots

Reheating tater tots can be done in the air fryer, oven, or microwave. Here's how:

Air Fryer: Air fry at 350°F for 3-5 minutes or until crispy and heated through.

Oven or Toaster: Place the tater tots in a single layer on a baking sheet. Bake at 350°F for 10-15 minutes or until they are heated through and crispy.

Microwave: While not the best method, the microwave can be used for quick reheating. Place the tater tots on a microwave-safe plate and heat for 1-2 minutes. Note that microwaving will not retain the crispiness and can make the tots a bit soggy.

More Easy Air Fryer Sides

• Air Fryer Bacon Wrapped Asparagus
• Air Fryer Green Beans
• Air Fryer Hasselback Potatoes
• Air Fryer Spaghetti Squash
• Air Fryer Zucchini Fritters

Find lots of easy air fryer recipes right here on 2CM!

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