These Air Fryer Tater Tots are a quick and easy way to make a delicious meal, side dish, or snack. Frozen potato bits become brown and crispy in minutes and there are so many ways to serve these delicious nuggets of goodness!
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Why You Will Love This Recipe
- Tater tots cooked in the air fryer come out super crisp and brown every time. No thawing necessary!
- There is no oil involved in air frying (except the non-stick spray) so there are fewer calories in your meal.
- Tater tots cook from frozen in 15 minutes.
- There is no prep work to make this recipe.
- Not only do you not have to bother with a large pot of oil you also don't have to turn on your oven.
- There are multiple ways to serve tater tots, you can even make a complete meal out of them.
- Everyone loves tater tots, which is why you should also check out my Waffle Iron Tater Tots recipe.
How long does it take to cook tater tots in an air fryer?
It takes about 15 minutes to get crispy, brown tater tots in the air fryer. This is assuming you are cooking them from frozen. You can always adjust the time depending on how you like your tots.
Some people like them a little soft and some people like them really brown and crispy. The good news is, you are in control of your tots! If you have tater tots that aren't frozen, only cook them for 4 minutes on each side and check after 8 minutes to see if they need any more time.
How to make Air Fryer Tater Tots
- Preheat your air fryer to 400º for 3 minutes. Spray the basket of your air fryer and place a single layer of frozen tater tots in the basket. Make sure they have a little room in between them. Spray the top of the tots and cook for 5 minutes.
- Flip, spray, and cook for an additional 5 minutes. Flip one more time, cook, and the tots are done!
How to Make Loaded Baked Potato Tots
One of my favorite ways to serve and eat these Air Fryer Tater Tots is to make "Baked Potato" Tots. This is so easy to assemble and you probably already have the ingredients in your fridge!
Take your cooked tots and add them to an oven-safe dish. Add a layer of cheese, more tots, and then more cheese. Broil in your oven for a few minutes to get the cheese nice and melty and to warm up the tots again.
Top with sour cream, bacon, and green onions. I like to dip mine in ranch dressing for an extra level of indulgence. You can top these babies with your favorite toppings. Oh, and kids love this dish too!
Other Ways to Serve Tater Tots
- Add a fried egg and you have a delicious and filling breakfast!
- Serve with ketchup, mustard, ranch, BBQ sauce, or your favorite dip
- Serve with hot dogs, hamburgers, or sandwiches
- Make flavored tots with your favorite seasoning: cajun, ranch, salt and pepper, garlic powder, and more!
What Air Fryer I Used for this Recipe
There are so many different types of air fryers out there now, and each one is slightly different. There are countertop air fryers, air fryer ovens, and air fryer attachments to name a few. They even make full-size ovens that act as air fryers now!!
I have a COSORI Air Fryer (shown below) and I love it. It does take up some counter space so make sure you have room for it. If you want a smaller option, check out the COSORI Small Air Fryer.
Expert Tips for This Recipe
- Non-stick spray is your friend when air frying so don't forget it! Not only does it help the food from sticking to the basket, but it also aids in the crisping of whatever you are air frying. You can use vegetable oil, olive oil, avocado oil, or whatever oil spray you like.
- Aluminum foil is also a handy tool when air frying for less clean-up. Although tater tots are not too messy, you will get some residual oil spray at the bottom of your air fryer so use a small piece of foil to catch as much as you can.
- Most frozen tater tots are not seasoned so don't forget to grab the salt, pepper, or any other seasoning you would like to add. Add it right after you pull the tater tots out of the air fryer basket so it sticks to the cooling tots.
Recipe FAQs
There is no need to defrost frozen tater tots before cooking them in the air fryer, just place them in the basket and get to it!
Preheating your air fryer is not a necessity. However, it definitely helps speed up the cooking time and also helps get a nice even crisp all around the tater tots.
Set your air fryer to 400º and reheat the tots for about 5 minutes, flipping if necessary. Don't forget to spray your basket so they don't stick. BTW, this works for french fries as well!
If you get a chance to make these Air Fryer Tater Tots, tag me on Instagram or Facebook and show me, or leave a review below! You can also follow me on Pinterest and sign up for my e-mail list to receive more fun and delicious recipes in your inbox.
Air Fryer Tater Tots
Ingredients
- 16 ounces frozen tater tots (half of a bag)
- 2 teaspoon kosher salt
- non-stick spray
Toppings for Baked Potato Tots
- ½ cup cheddar cheese, shredded
- ¼ cup sour cream
- 2 strips bacon, cooked and chopped
- 1 tablespoon green onions, chopped
- ranch dressing (optional)
Instructions
Air Fry the Tater Tots
- Preheat the air fryer at 400°F for 3 minutes or according to instructions for your air fryer. Once preheated, spray the basket with non-stick spray and place the frozen tater tots in the basket (don't overcrowd the basket to ensure the tots are cooked on all sides). Spray the top of the tots with the non-stick spray as well.
- Cook the tots for 5 minutes at 400°F. Flip all of the tots over, spray the other side with non-stick spray and cook for another 5 minutes. Flip one more time and cook for an additional 5 minutes until the tots are nice and brown and crispy. Sprinkle right away with salt so that it sticks as they cool.
Baked Potato Tater Tots
- Place a single layer of tots in an oven-safe dish. Sprinkle the top with cheese. Add another layer of tots and sprinkle the top with more cheese.
- Place the oven-safe dish under the broiler in the oven for 2-3 minutes until the cheese has melted. Remove the dish from the oven.
- Top the cheesy tots with sour cream, bacon pieces, and green onion. Serve and dip in ranch if you want an extra tangy flavor. Enjoy!
Video
Notes
- Non-stick spray is your friend when air frying so don't forget it! Not only does it help the food from sticking to the basket, but it also aids in the crisping of whatever you are air frying. You can use vegetable oil, olive oil, avocado oil, or whatever oil spray you like.
- Aluminum foil is also a handy tool when air frying for less clean-up. Although tater tots are not too messy, you will get some residual oil spray at the bottom of your air fryer so use a small piece of foil to catch as much as you can.
- Most frozen tater tots are not seasoned so don't forget to grab the salt, pepper, or any other seasoning you would like to add. Add it right after you pull the tater tots out of the air fryer basket so it sticks to the cooling tots.
- Nutrition calculations are for the tater tots WITHOUT toppings.
- Always read the instruction manual that came with your Air Fryer and follow all safety guidelines.
Nutrition
Any nutrition calculations are only estimates using online calculators. Please verify using your own data.
Christina says
Ah I needed this recipe! I can't wait to make it!
Emily says
Yay, I'm so glad...and they are SO good!!
Kerri says
We are a tater tot loving family! We loved the extra crunch using the Air Fryer gave! Will definitely make again!
Emily says
It's hard not to love tater tots! I'm so glad your family enjoyed this method.
Kasy says
I haven't made the leap yet for an air fryer,but keep hearing more and more reasons why I should. This looks delish!
Emily says
Kasy, yes, you need an air fryer!! They are a total game-changer in the kitchen and so fun to experiment with!
Kay says
Always on the look out for things to cook in my air fryer! Great idea!
Capri says
Made some loaded tots for dinner and loved it!
Mama Maggie's Kitchen says
Yum! I need this in my life. I have to rethink breakfast for tomorrow.
Emily says
Yes, breakfast, lunch a snack...these are great any time of the day!
Amy says
What a great snack for the kids. Well, adults too but I tell everyone its for the kids. Hahah! Air Fryers are the best!
Emily says
LOL, so funny but also true!! I agree air fryers are the best!
Amanda Marie Boyle says
Love your loaded tater tots!
Emily says
Thanks, Amanda!
Alexandra says
I just bought an air fryer, and this is my favourite thing to use it fro. The tater tots come out perfect everytime!
Emily says
Air fryers are the best!! I'm so glad you enjoyed this recipe.
Sue L says
Oh how yummy! Tater tots are everyone's favorite side, I never realized how easy they are in an air fryer. And I simply cannot wait to try your baked potato version - that is 100% what I am in the mood for right now! Thank you!
Emily says
Thanks, Sue! you can never go wrong with fried potatoes, no matter how you get there!
Lina Thao says
I am going to have to try this in my air fryer. I love your toppings ideas
Emily says
Thank you!! It's a definite must-try if you have an air fryer and you like tater tots.
Therese says
These look so gosh darn yummy! We just got an air fryer and we used it once before we started remodeling our kitchen. We haven't eaten normal for weeks and I can't wait to use my air fryer again.
Emily says
Thanks, Therese! Just think about how amazing these will be in your new kitchen!!