For crispy and delicious tater tots, try our recipe for Air Fryer Frozen Tater Tots! Air frying is the secret for crisp golden brown tater tots with the perfect fluffy potato interior. Ready in 10 minutes with only one ingredient: the tater tots! You won't even need cooking spray.
Jump to:
Ore Ida Tater Tots Air Fryer Recipe
Who doesn't love a crispy tater tot? They're a favorite with both kids and adults as a tasty snack or side dish. You can even incorporate them into your entree, like in a tater tot casserole with cheese!
Cooking tater tots in the air fryer is simple, quick, and results in fluffy, crispy potato puffs that turn out so much better than they do with other cooking methods. Read on and we'll show you how easy it is to air fry tater tots, complete with serving suggestions and our expert tips!
Why You Should Air Fry Tater Tots
- The texture is perfect: Tater tots in the air fryer develop the beautiful golden brown crisp exterior we're all looking for in a good tater tot.
- It's easy: There is no prep work involved. Not even seasoning, because frozen tater tots are already seasoned!
- It's so much faster than baking: It takes just 10 minutes from start to finish to air fry frozen tater tots as opposed to up to more than 30 minutes in the oven, between preheating and baking.
- No extra oil: Because of the air fryer's nonstick coating, you don't need any cooking spray or oil for these tots to turn out beautifully crispy.
Ingredients
- Frozen Tater Tots: For this recipe, we're choosing to air fry Ore Ida tater tots. You can find this brand at your local grocery store in the freezer section. If you would prefer to use another brand, please do!
That's it! You don't need any cooking oil for this recipe, but if you choose to use some, as always, make sure you do not use a cooking spray such with additives in your air fryer. It can break down the non-stick coating of the air fryer basket. Refer to our comprehensive guide on Our Favorite Oils to use for Air Frying.
How to Air Fry Tater Tots
Step 1 - Preheat the Air Fryer to 400°F. This is the perfect temperature for cooking tater tots, as they'll finish cooking all of the way through quickly while developing the perfect crisp texture.
Step 2 - Pour ½ bag of frozen tater tots inside the preheated air fryer basket. Spread the tater tots out into a single layer. Do not overcrowd the air fryer basket, or they will not cook correctly. Cook in batches if necessary.
Step 3 - Air fry tater tots for 8-10 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through the cook time. This will help ensure the tots cook beautifully on all sides.
Step 3 - When golden brown and crispy to your liking, remove the tater tots from the air fryer to a serving plate. Use tongs or simply pour them out of the basket onto a plate - they'll be piping hot! Enjoy!
Watch the Video
Recipe Tips
- Cook from frozen – Do not thaw first.
- Don’t crowd the air fryer basket. Cook in batches as needed.
- Cook time may vary depending on your specific air fryer.
- Recipe time and temperature is based on a preheated air fryer.
- Remember, air fryer brands vary, so you may have to adjust the cook time to your specific air fryer.
Recipe Variations
- Loaded Tater Tots: Top your air fryer tater tots with cheese, sour cream, and bacon bits for an extra special treat!
- Tater Tot Casserole: Use them as a base for a tasty casserole with ground beef and cheese.
- Spicy Tater Tots: Add a sprinkle of paprika or cayenne for a spicy kick.
Storage Instructions
Air fryer tater tots are best enjoyed right away. However, if you have leftovers, store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-4 days. When reheating, pop them back in the air fryer for a few minutes at 350°F until they're hot and crispy again.
How to Serve Air Fried Tater Tots
- Serve with bacon and scrambled eggs for a fun breakfast!
- They're delicious as a side dish for our chicken sandwich.
- Or, try serving them with Southern Style Chicken Tenders! Kids especially love this combo (but so do we).
- Sneak a serving of greens in with these tater tots, like broccoli.
FAQ
Yes! This is an easy air fryer recipe you can substitute with other brands. Just be prepared to cook them for more or less time as needed.
Use your favorite dipping sauce! Ketchup, mustard, ranch dressing, and BBQ sauce are all excellent choices.
While you can make homemade tater tots in an air fryer, it's a more time-consuming process. Using frozen Ore Ida Tater Tots is quick and convenient.
Yes! You can air fry mini tater tots in the same fashion. Our only suggestion is to check on them a little early as they may cook faster.
Air Fryer Frozen Foods
- Air Fryer Frozen French Fries
- Air Fryer Mini Tacos
- Air Fryer Frozen Chicken Thighs
- ALDI Red Bag Chicken in Air Fryer
- See all of our Air Fryer Frozen Foods!
Leave a comment and review for us below if you enjoyed this recipe, or if you have questions about any of our air fryer recipes!
Air Fryer Frozen Tater Tots
Equipment
- Air Fryer
Ingredients
- 16 ounces frozen tater tots we're using ½ (32 ounce) bag Ore Ida Tater Tots
Instructions
- Preheat the Air Fryer to 400°F.
- Pour ½ bag of frozen tater tots into the preheated air fryer basket in a single layer. Be careful not to overcrowd the basket; cook in batches if necessary.16 ounces frozen tater tots
- Air fry tater tots for 8-10 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through the cook time.
- Carefully remove the tater tots from the air fryer basket to a serving plate when golden brown and crispy to your liking. Enjoy!
Notes
- Nutrition values are generic. Please follow the nutrition on your bag of frozen tater tots for accurate nutrition values.
- Cook from frozen – Do not thaw first.
- Don’t crowd the air fryer basket. Cook in batches as needed.
- All air fryer brands are different; cook time may vary depending on your specific air fryer model.
- Recipe time and temperature is based on a preheated air fryer.
Comments
No Comments