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    Home » Recipes

    Air Fryer Tater Tots

    Published: Sep 9, 2020 · Modified: Feb 28, 2023 by Emily · This post may contain affiliate links · 25 Comments

    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!

    tater tots in oven-safe dish with second layer of tots
    Click on the image above to PIN for later!
    Jump to Recipe Jump to Video

    How to make Air Fryer Tater Tots

    1. Preheat your air fryer at 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.
    2. Flip, spray, and cook for an additional 5 minutes. Flip one more time, cook, and the tots are done!

    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.

    Reasons to Make Air Fried Tater Tots

    • They come out super crisp and brown every time
    • No oil frying so there are fewer calories
    • Cook from frozen in 15 minutes
    • No prep work
    • No frying or hot oven to deal with
    • There are multiple ways to serve tots
    • Everyone loves tater tots!

    How to Make 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 (see below)! Who knew air fryer potatoes could be so good?!?!

    baked potato tater tot ingredients: sour cream, cheddar cheese, bacon, green onion, ranch dressing

    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!

    baked potato tater tots in a baking dish

    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!
    air fryer tater tots wit a fried egg on top

    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.

    Buy on Amazon!

    You can also use your air fryer to reheat cold tots!

    Do you have some tots in the fridge from last night's restaurant trip or from the air fryer tater tots you just made? Now, you never have to have soggy, microwaved tots again...just throw them in your air fryer and you will have crispy tots again in no time! 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!

    Air Fryer Tater Tot Tips

    • There is no need to defrost frozen tater tots before cooking 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.
    • 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.
      tater tots that have been cooked from frozen in an air fryer
      Click on the image above to PIN for later!
      tater tots in oven-safe dish with second layer of tots

      Air Fryer Tater Tots

      These Air Fryer Tater Tots are a quick and easy way to make a delicious meal, side, or snack from frozen tater tots.
      5 from 10 votes
      Print Pin Rate
      Prep Time: 1 minute
      Cook Time: 15 minutes
      Total Time: 11 minutes
      Servings: 4 servings
      Calories: 216kcal
      Author: EmilyFabulous
      Cost: $5

      Equipment

      • Air Fryer
      • tongs

      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.
        frozen tater tots in air fryer basket
      • 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.
        tater tots in air fryer basket after cooking

      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.
        tater tots in oven-safe dish with second layer of tots and 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.
        tots with cheese melted on top
      • 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!
        tater tots with melted cheese, sour cream, bacon and green onions

      Video

      Notes

      • 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

      Calories: 216kcal | Carbohydrates: 27g | Protein: 2.7g | Fat: 10.8g | Saturated Fat: 2.7g | Sodium: 1609mg | Potassium: 554mg | Fiber: 2.7g | Sugar: 0.7g | Calcium: 1mg | Iron: 1mg

      Any nutrition calculations are only estimates using online calculators. Please verify using your own data.

      Show me your Air Fryer Tater Tots!

      As always I love to see your interpretation of my recipes! If you make these Air Fryer Tater Tots snap a photo and tag me on Instagram or Facebook! Thanks for checking out my site and don't forget to follow me on Pinterest so you never miss a recipe and can pin these ideas for the future.

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      Reader Interactions

      Comments

      1. Christina says

        September 21, 2020 at 8:12 pm

        5 stars
        Ah I needed this recipe! I can't wait to make it!

        Reply
        • Emily says

          September 22, 2020 at 12:58 am

          Yay, I'm so glad...and they are SO good!!

          Reply
      2. Kerri says

        September 21, 2020 at 2:06 pm

        5 stars
        We are a tater tot loving family! We loved the extra crunch using the Air Fryer gave! Will definitely make again!

        Reply
        • Emily says

          September 21, 2020 at 4:02 pm

          It's hard not to love tater tots! I'm so glad your family enjoyed this method.

          Reply
      3. Kasy says

        September 20, 2020 at 2:13 am

        5 stars
        I haven't made the leap yet for an air fryer,but keep hearing more and more reasons why I should. This looks delish!

        Reply
        • Emily says

          September 20, 2020 at 2:38 am

          Kasy, yes, you need an air fryer!! They are a total game-changer in the kitchen and so fun to experiment with!

          Reply
      4. Kay says

        September 19, 2020 at 5:46 pm

        5 stars
        Always on the look out for things to cook in my air fryer! Great idea!

        Reply
      5. Capri says

        September 19, 2020 at 9:26 pm

        5 stars
        Made some loaded tots for dinner and loved it!

        Reply
      6. Mama Maggie's Kitchen says

        September 19, 2020 at 7:07 am

        5 stars
        Yum! I need this in my life. I have to rethink breakfast for tomorrow.

        Reply
        • Emily says

          September 19, 2020 at 4:09 pm

          Yes, breakfast, lunch a snack...these are great any time of the day!

          Reply
      7. Amy says

        September 19, 2020 at 1:40 am

        5 stars
        What a great snack for the kids. Well, adults too but I tell everyone its for the kids. Hahah! Air Fryers are the best!

        Reply
        • Emily says

          September 19, 2020 at 2:54 am

          LOL, so funny but also true!! I agree air fryers are the best!

          Reply
      8. Amanda Marie Boyle says

        September 19, 2020 at 12:30 am

        5 stars
        Love your loaded tater tots!

        Reply
        • Emily says

          September 19, 2020 at 2:53 am

          Thanks, Amanda!

          Reply
      9. Alexandra says

        September 19, 2020 at 12:26 am

        5 stars
        I just bought an air fryer, and this is my favourite thing to use it fro. The tater tots come out perfect everytime!

        Reply
        • Emily says

          September 19, 2020 at 2:53 am

          Air fryers are the best!! I'm so glad you enjoyed this recipe.

          Reply
      10. Sue L says

        September 18, 2020 at 4:19 pm

        5 stars
        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!

        Reply
        • Emily says

          September 18, 2020 at 7:39 pm

          Thanks, Sue! you can never go wrong with fried potatoes, no matter how you get there!

          Reply
      11. Lina Thao says

        September 10, 2020 at 2:30 am

        I am going to have to try this in my air fryer. I love your toppings ideas

        Reply
        • Emily says

          September 10, 2020 at 2:34 am

          Thank you!! It's a definite must-try if you have an air fryer and you like tater tots.

          Reply
      12. Therese says

        September 09, 2020 at 10:42 pm

        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.

        Reply
        • Emily says

          September 10, 2020 at 1:47 am

          Thanks, Therese! Just think about how amazing these will be in your new kitchen!!

          Reply

      Trackbacks

      1. 70 Of The Best Air Fryer Recipes On The Web | says:
        February 24, 2021 at 1:50 pm

        […] Air Fryer Tater Tots – 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! Get the recipe from EmilyFabulous.com  […]

        Reply
      2. The Best Homemade Air Fryer Tater Tots – Lifesoever says:
        January 1, 2021 at 10:04 am

        […] Air Fryer Frozen Tater Tots with Bacon and Cheese by Emily | Emily Fabulous – For that extra satisfaction you can only get from tater tots. […]

        Reply
      3. 70 Of The Best Air Fryer Recipes On The Web | Air Fry Master says:
        October 5, 2020 at 5:46 pm

        […] Air Fryer Tater Tots – 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! Get the recipe from EmilyFabulous.com  […]

        Reply

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