Do you love tots, but don’t love the unhealthy oil they are typically cooked in? Well, we have great news for you! You can make delicious and crispy tater tots in your air fryer. Even if it’s your first-time air frying tots, this recipe is simple and easy to follow and takes only a few minutes to prepare. So what are you waiting for? Get started on this tasty air fryer tater tots recipe today!
What Are Tater Tots?
Tater tots are small pieces of fried potato that are shaped into a cylinder shape. They are typically served as a side dish or appetizer and are popular in the United States. Tater tots can be made from fresh potatoes or frozen ones, and are typically made from russet potatoes or sweet potatoes.
Why Use A Air Fryer?
Air frying tater tots is a healthier alternative to using a deep fryer and faster than baking them. By using an air fryer, you can reduce the amount of oil used in this recipe to almost zero, no more draining fried tots on a paper towel. That means that these tots are not only delicious but also much healthier for you! Check out our favorite air fryer here.
No more paper towels for draining
You wont need to waste paper towels or dish towels to drain off your excess oil
No added saturated fat from deep frying
You wont be adding more calories or fat by frying your food in oil.
No hot oil splatter
You wont worry about hot oil splashing up when your adding your tots to the pot.
No need for parchment paper or baking sheets
No excess need for prep work or dishes.
Makes 1 Batch
| Servings 2 | Prep time 5 minutes |
| Calories 260 | Cook time 15-20 minutes |
Total time 20-25 minutes
*Please note that the nutritional information provided is an estimate only and may vary depending on the ingredients used. Calories listed are per serving.*
Ingredients
- 6 ounces frozen tater tots (you can do the whole bag but make sure to do it in batches)
- Seasoning of choice (we used Cajun seasoning)
- Olive oil or canola oil spray (optional)
*Disclosure, below are affiliate links to products we recommend. We do not include links to products we have not used or honestly recommend*
What Tools You Will Need:
Should I Season My Tots?
Yes, we recommend seasoning your tater tots before cooking them. This will help to give them flavor and make them extra crispy. We like to season ours with Cajun seasoning but another great option is a little bit of kosher salt, black pepper, and garlic powder. But feel free to experiment and find the perfect seasoning blend for you!
How Long Will It Take To Cook The Tots?
Cooking time will vary depending on the size and type of fryer you are using. We have found that it takes about 15-20 minutes to cook tater tots in most fryers. Just keep an eye on them and remove them from the air fryer when they are nice and crispy.
Directions
- Preheat your air fryer to 400 degrees.
- If you are not using oil spray skip steps 3 and 4.
- If you are using spray oil place your batch of tots in a bowl and lightly spray with the oil.
- Add your seasoning of choice and give the tots a good toss to coat evenly.
- Place tots in the air fryer and begin cooking. About halfway through give your tots a good toss in the air fryer basket to get them evenly cooked.
- If you did not use oil in the beginning then season your tots about 3-4 minutes into the cook and give them a good toss in the air fryer basket to coat them.
- Cook until done to your liking (typically 15 to 20 minutes)
- (Optional) If you like more seasoning then add more seasoning when you do your halfway cook toss.
Notes
- Cook tater tots in batches for best results. Do not overcrowd the air fryer basket.
- Season tater tots before cooking for flavor and crispiness
- Cook tater tots until they are golden brown and crispy.
- Serve tater tots with your favorite dipping sauce.
What Else Can I Serve With Tater Tots?
Tater tots are a versatile dish that can be served as a side next to many main courses. If you are serving them as a side, we recommend pairing them with some chicken wings, grilled chicken, or fish.
Do tater tots typically come pre-seasoned?
No, tater tots do not typically come pre-seasoned although some brands have a seasoned option. We recommend seasoning them before cooking for the best flavor and crispiness. Season them with salt, pepper, and garlic powder, or experiment until you find your perfect seasoning blend. Enjoy!
Air Fryer Tater Tots Recipe: How to Make Delicious, And Crispy Tots
Ingredients
- 6 Ounces Frozen Tater Tots
- 2 TBSP Cajun Seasoning (seasoning of choice)
- Olive Oil Spray (or oil spray of choice)
Instructions
- Preheat your air fryer to 400 degrees.
- If you are not using oil spray skip steps 3 and 4.
- Place your batch of tots in a bowl and lightly spray with the oil.
- Add your seasoning of choice and give the tots a good toss to coat evenly.
- Place tots in the air fryer and begin cooking. About halfway through give your tots a good toss in the air fryer basket to get them evenly cooked.
- If you did not use oil in the beginning then season your tots about 3-4 minutes into the cook and give them a good toss in the air fryer basket to coat them.
- Cook until done to your liking (typically 15 to 20 minutes)
- (Optional) If you like more seasoning then add more seasoning when you do your halfway cook toss.
Notes
- Cook tater tots in batches for best results. Do not overcrowd the air fryer basket.
- Season tater tots before cooking for flavor and crispiness
- Cook tater tots until they are golden brown and crispy.
- Serve tater tots with your favorite dipping sauce.
Nutrition
Summary
Tater tots are a delicious and easy-to-make dish. They can be cooked in an air fryer for a healthier alternative to deep-frying. Be sure to season your tater tots before cooking for the best flavor and crispiness. If you really want to up your tater tot game grab some sour cream and cheddar cheese and try doing a tater tot casserole. Enjoy! Thank you for reading. we hope you have learned something new about making tater tots in your air fryer. If you have any questions, please feel free to leave them in the comments below.
