Crispy Air Fryer Tater Tots
These golden-brown Crispy Air Fryer Tater Tots deliver maximum crunch with minimal effort. Using hot circulating air instead of oil, they achieve the perfect crispy exterior while maintaining a tender, fluffy potato center in just 10 minutes of cooking time.
Ingredients
- 1 pound 16 oz frozen tater tots
- 1-2 teaspoons olive oil or cooking spray optional but recommended
- ¼ teaspoon garlic powder optional
- ¼ teaspoon onion powder optional
- ¼ teaspoon paprika optional
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Dipping sauces of your choice ketchup, ranch, cheese sauce, etc.
Instructions
- Preheat your air fryer to 400°F (200°C) for 2-3 minutes. This crucial step ensures your tots start cooking immediately when added.
- Place frozen tater tots in a bowl and lightly spray with oil or drizzle with 1-2 teaspoons of olive oil. Toss gently to coat. While technically optional, this small amount of oil significantly enhances crispiness.
- Season the tater tots with garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, salt, and pepper if desired. Toss to distribute the seasonings evenly.
- Arrange the tater tots in a single layer in your air fryer basket. Avoid overcrowding—this is crucial for proper air circulation and even crisping. Work in batches if necessary.
- Cook for 5 minutes, then shake the basket or flip the tots with tongs to ensure even cooking.
- Continue cooking for another 5-7 minutes until the tots are golden brown and crispy. The exact time may vary depending on your air fryer model and how crispy you prefer your tots.
- Check for doneness by selecting one tot and testing its crispiness. If needed, cook for additional 1-2 minute intervals until they reach your desired level of crispiness.
- Transfer to a serving dish immediately and serve hot with your favorite dipping sauces.
Notes
- Don’t thaw the tater tots before cooking—they should go into the air fryer frozen for best results.
- Every air fryer model cooks slightly differently. The first time you make this recipe, check your tots at the 8-minute mark to gauge your specific cooking time.
- For extra-crispy results, a light spritz of oil makes a significant difference, but you can omit it for a lower-calorie option.
- If cooking multiple batches, the second batch may cook slightly faster as the air fryer is already hot.
- These tots maintain their crispiness for about 10 minutes after cooking, making them perfect for immediate serving.