Air Fryer Tater Tots
These little golden potato bites come out crispy on the outside, soft and fluffy on the inside, and they're done in under 15 minutes. The air fryer does something that a conventional oven just can't — it circulates hot air all around every single tot, giving you that satisfying crunch on every bite.
Equipment
- Air fryer Basket-style or oven-style both work, 5.8 qt or larger recommended for a full 32 oz bag in a single layer
- Cooking spray bottle Or store-bought cooking spray
- Tongs Silicone-tipped recommended to avoid scratching the basket
- Serving bowl or plate
Ingredients
- 32 oz frozen tater tots 1 bag (907g), any brand works
- cooking spray Olive oil or avocado oil spray preferred
- salt to taste
- ketchup for serving
- cheese sauce optional, for serving
Instructions
- Preheat air fryer to 400°F (200°C) for 3 to 5 minutes.
- Pour frozen tater tots directly into the air fryer basket in a single layer. Do not thaw.
- Lightly spray tater tots with cooking spray, holding the can 6 to 8 inches above the basket for an even coating.
- Cook at 400°F for 10 to 12 minutes. At halfway point (5 to 6 minutes), shake basket or flip tots with tongs.
- Remove basket from air fryer and immediately season with salt to taste while hot.
- Transfer to a serving plate or bowl and serve right away with ketchup, cheese sauce, or your favorite dipping sauce.
Notes
- Don't thaw first: Cooking frozen tater tots directly in the air fryer gives you a crispier result. Thawing adds moisture and leads to softer tots.
- Single layer is essential: Overcrowding traps steam and prevents crisping. If you have a smaller basket, cook in two batches rather than stacking.
- Shake or flip halfway: This is the most important step for even crunchiness all the way around. Don't skip it.
- Adjust cook time to your preference: Every air fryer runs slightly differently. Check at 10 minutes for lighter crisp, go the full 12 minutes or even add an extra minute for extra-crispy tots.
- Storage: Store leftover tots in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- Reheating: Reheat in the air fryer at 375°F for 3 to 5 minutes, shaking halfway. Avoid the microwave, which makes them soggy.
- Freezing leftovers: You can refreeze cooked tater tots in a zip-lock bag for up to 1 month. Lay them flat before freezing. Reheat from frozen at 400°F for 5 to 7 minutes.
- Easy variations: Try loaded tots with cheese and bacon, spicy tots with cayenne and paprika, or Parmesan herb tots with Italian seasoning.
Nutrition
Serving: 1servingCalories: 160kcalCarbohydrates: 20gProtein: 2gFat: 8gSaturated Fat: 1gPolyunsaturated Fat: 2.5gMonounsaturated Fat: 4gSodium: 420mgPotassium: 290mgFiber: 2gVitamin C: 6mgIron: 4mg
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!