Best Air Fryer Tater Tots

Folks, these Air Fryer Tater Tots are a real game changer. Crispy on the outside yet soft on the inside. Kids and adults alike will go crazy for this healthier version of a fast food favorite.

Let me tell you, these crispy homemade Tater Tots turn out perfectly crunchy on the outside, yet still pillowy soft on the inside. And the best news is that you can cook these tater tots in air fryer using absolutely no oil at all. How amazing is that?!?!

If you have been searching for a different way to eat your potatoes, you are going to looooove this recipe for crispy potato puffs. Not only is it made without oil, but it is also gluten free and vegan.

And if you love potatoes and veggies, you might like these Air Fryer Baked Potatoes or these Air Fryer Green Beans and how to Reheat Fries In Air Fryer. Plus, you might also love these easy and tasty Smothered Potatoes.

Why Make This Recipe

• Budget friendly – made with affordable pantry staple ingredients.
• Family friendly – are totally kid-friendly and kid-approved appetizer or side dish.
• Healthier – air frying these mean they taste like they are deep fried but are much healthier.
• For ever occasion – Just the thing for serving up at lunchtime, as an after-school snack or game day snack or as a tasty side dish for supper.

Ingredient Notes

• potatoes – starchy potatoes are the best.
• corn starch (cornflour) – helps bind it together.
• dried oregano and garlic powder – adds great flavor.
• salt – you can use seasoned salt if you prefer.

Ready to learn how to cook tater tots air fryer style? Gather up your ingredients and I will show you….

How To Make Tater Tots in Air Fryer

Get the complete ingredients list and instructions from the recipe card below.

1. Preheat your air fryer to 350 degrees F / 180 degrees C.
2. Boil the potatoes till they are about half cooked and then plunge them into a cold water bath to stop the cooking process and cool them down.
3. Using a box shredder, shred the cooled potatoes into a large bowl, then squeeze out any excess water.
4. Add in the cornstarch, spices and the best salt ever and combine. Then form the mixture into individual air fryer tater tots.
5. Place half of the tater tots into the air fryer basket (making sure they don’t touch) and air fry for 18-20 minutes till golden brown. Turn the tots twice using tongs during cooking so that they brown evenly. You can shake or toss the tots carefully instead so they don’t break.
6. Remove the tater tots and keep warm, then repeat steps to fry the remaining tots.

Just look at those cute little tater tots all ready for the air fryer….

Cook Them From Frozen

1. Head on over to the Air Fryer Frozen Tater Tots post.

Make These in the Oven

If you don’t have an air fryer, you can make crispy tater tots in the oven. Just follow these simple steps:

1. Boil the potatoes till they are about half cooked and then plunge them into a cold water bath to stop the cooking process and cool them down.
2. Using a box grater, shred the cooled potatoes into a large mixing bowl, then squeeze out any excess water.
3. Add in the rest of the ingredients and combine. Then form the mixture into individual tater.
4. Preheat oven to fan-assisted 180C / 200C / 400 F / gas 6.
5. Place the homemade tater tots on a baking tray and bake for 18-20 mins till golden brown. Flip once halfway through the cook time.

Pro Recipe Tips

• Try to keep your tater tots the same size so they will cook evenly and at the same rate.
• Do toss or gently shake the air fried tater tots during cooking so they cook evenly.
• For the best results cook the tater tots in a single layer in the Air Fryer with space around them so the hot air can circulate.
• These are best served immediately aka served warm.
• Depending on the size you make, this recipe will give you about 20 tots.
• If you do want these really crispy you can spray them with some cooking spray or avocado oil. You can also cook them for a few extra minutes.
• Air fryer temperatures can vary depending on the make and model. I recommend starting with less cook time, checking for doneness, then adding more time as needed.

Delicious Variations

Air fryer tots are a fun food, so why not have some fun coming up with different ways to flavor them? Here are a few suggestions for you to try:

• Turn your tots into mexi-nuggets by adding taco seasoning, or a combination of chili powder and cumin, to the tater tots mixture before cooking. Serve with a side of guacamole or some refried beans.
• You can also add basil and Tuscan seasoning mix to these tater tots and then serve with marinara sauce for dipping.
• Another popular way to serve these are as tater tot nachos style, sometimes referred to as ‘totchos’ on restaurant menus. Simply replace tortilla chips with tater tots, cover in nacho cheese sauce (if not vegan), sliced jalapeños and salsa.
• Feel free to change up the seasoning to suit your taste. Use other seasonings like onion powder, chopped herbs or some chili for a little heat. If not vegan, you can add in shredded cheese. See section below for even more flavor variations.

Storage

• Store – Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container inside the fridge for up to 3 days. 

FAQs

How Long To Cook Tater Tots in Air Fryer?

Your cook time will depend on the size of your tater tots, and whether you are cooking tater tots made from scratch or frozen tater tots. I have found that cooking homemade tater tots in air fryer requires 18 – 20 minutes per batch.

It is important to note that air fryer temperatures can vary depending on the make and model. I recommend starting with less cook time, checking food for doneness then adding more time as needed.

How To Reheat Them In The Air Fryer?

Simply cook them for about 5-7 minutes or until warmed through in a preheated air fryer at 350F.

What Type of Potatoes are Best for Making Tater Tots in Air Fryer?

Starchier potatoes, such as the Russet, Rooster and Yukon Gold varieties, work best for making air fryer tater tots, as they have a light, fluffy and absorbent texture that will crisp up nicely yet still remain soft inside.

Who Invented Tater Tots?

Tater Tots were invented in 1953 by the founders of the Ore-Ida Company, who were trying to figure out what to do with leftover slivers of cut-up potatoes.

They came up with the idea of chopping the potato pieces into tiny bits, combining with flour and seasoning, and then pushing the mixture through holes and slicing off pieces. Tater Tots made their grocery store debut in 1956.

Serving Suggestions

Pair up a portion of these homemade tater tots with your favorite dipping sauce like vegan ranch dressing, barbecue sauce, sour cream, ketchup, and more alongside any one of these delicious dishes;

• Air Fryer Hamburger (if not vegan)
• Juicy Air Fryer Pork Chops.
• Air Fryer Whole Chicken.
• Air Fryer Garlic Mushroom Steaks
• Vegan Rainbow Vegetable Tortilla Wrap
• Reheat Steak In Air Fryer.
• Air Fryer Turkey Meatballs.
• Frozen Meatballs in Air Fryer.

More Recipes for Delicious Air Fryer Snacks

Looking for more easy recipes to cook up in the air fryer like these crispiest tater tots? Then check out these air fryer recipes:

1. Air Fryer Zucchini Fries.
2. Air Fryer Sweet Potato Fries.
3. Crispy Air Fryer Plantains.
4. Vegan Air Fryer Chickpeas.
5. Air Fryer Green Beans.

Air Fryer Vegetables and Meal Plan

For more Air Fryer Vegetables recipes and my Air Fryer Meal Plan check out these collections;

• 12 Amazing Air Fryer Vegetables Recipes
• Easy Air Fryer Meal Plan.

Air Fryer Tips

• 15 Air Fryer Tips Everyone Should Know.
• Learn how to Preheat Air Fryer.
• Do You Oil Your In An Air Fryer.

Why Use An Air Fryer

The air fryer makes it sooooo easy to cook up healthier version of your fried food favorites. Here’s how it works. By circulating heat all around the food, air fryers allow you to ‘fry’ foods using the smallest amount of oil. We’re talking anything from a tablespoon to just a light spray. And since your food isn’t submerged in the stuff, much less oil gets absorbed during the cooking process, which means your meal contains far less fat and calories overall.

Weight Watchers Points

There are 5 Blue Plan SmartPoints in a serving of Air Fryer Tater Tots.

Tools Needed

• Your trusty Air Fryer.
• A saucepan.
• Handy mixing bowls.
• Measuring teaspoons and cups.
• Best ever sea salt.
• Air Fryer accessories.

Thank you for reading my Air Fryer Tater Tots recipe post. And please come visit again as I continue to slice, dice and dream up affordable Air Fryer recipes, Instant Pot Recipes, Southern Recipes and more. Thanks for supporting Recipes from a Pantry, food blog.

Get the Air Fryer Tater Tots Recipe: