Crispy air fryer tater tots are simply the best! Enjoy them for breakfast, a snack, or as a side dish. Made with quality frozen tots, and a touch of oil, the air fryer creates tot perfection in minutes!

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If you’re a fan of the classic comfort food but looking for a healthier and fuss-free alternative, then you’re in for a treat. These golden tots are incredibly easy to make, requiring just a handful of ingredients and minimal effort. With the magic of the air fryer, you can achieve that perfect crunch on the outside while keeping the insides tender and fluffy. Whether you’re serving them as a snack, a side dish, or even as a party appetizer, these Air Fryer Tater Tots are sure to be a hit with everyone. These tots make for an easy vegan appetizer, side dish, or snack!
💗 Why You’ll Love This Recipe
Crispy Texture: The air fryer’s circulating hot air creates a crisp exterior on the tater tots, giving them a satisfying crunch. This texture is often preferred over the softer texture achieved through other cooking methods like baking or microwaving.
Even Cooking: Air fryers provide consistent heat distribution, ensuring that the tater tots cook evenly. This helps to avoid any undercooked or burnt spots, resulting in a more enjoyable eating experience.
Reduced Oil Usage: Compared to deep frying, air frying requires significantly less oil. Air fryer tater tots are typically cooked with just a light coating of oil or even without oil, making them a healthier alternative to traditionally fried tater tots.
Efficient and Convenient: Air fryers cook tater tots quickly, usually in just 10-15 minutes. This makes them a convenient option for busy individuals who want a quick snack or side dish without spending too much time in the kitchen.
🥣 Ingredients and Notes
Frozen Bag of Tater Tots: You’ll need a standard-size bag of organic tater tots. I prefer the Alexia brand. Their Organic Yukon Select Puffs have a few simple ingredients including potatoes, vegetable oil, sea salt, and apple juice (for browning).
Olive Oil: A touch of olive oil is helpful to keep the tots from sticking together and to make them extra crispy! If you don’t have olive oil you can also use cooking spray.
🛠 Key Equipment
You’ll need your Air Fryer to make this recipe. If you don’t have one already there is a lot to choose from on the market today. I have a compact Dash Air Fryer which is great for small jobs, but not ideal for larger recipes. If I’m making a large batch then I use my Ninja Foodi which has a larger capacity.
👩🏻🍳 How to Make Air Fryer Tater Tots
- Using paper towels and 1 teaspoon of olive oil, wipe the air fryer basket with oil.
- Fill the air fryer basket with the frozen tater tots in a single layer for best results.
- Set the air frying temperature to 400 F, and a cook time of 15 minutes.
- Toss the tater tots at the half way point, about 7 ½ minutes through cooking time.
- Transfer to a serving bowl and serve with ketchup or your favorite dipping sauce.
Chef’s Tip: Don’t overcrowd the basket. It’s important to give the tater tots enough space in the air fryer basket to allow hot air circulation. Overcrowding can lead to uneven cooking and a less crispy texture. Cook in batches if necessary.
📝 Expert Tips
- Use quality tater tots.
- Bake at a higher temperature for a crispy texture!
- Look for tots with a few simple whole food ingredients. I purchase the Alexia brand french fries and tater tots.
- Moderately coat the air fryer basket with olive oil or avocado oil. In a pinch, you can use cooking spray.
- Some air fryers need to be preheated. Preheat your air fryer if needed.
- Shaking the air fryer halfway through the cooking time guarantees an even fry.
- Use aluminum foil in the air fryer for easy clean-up.
❓Recipe FAQS
Tater tots were first created in 1953 in the Ore-Ida facility when the founders wanted to figure out what to do with the chopped-up bits of potato that were leftover. They mixed up the bits of potato with flour and seasoning and formed them into cylinders. They deep-fried cylinders then froze and packaged them for sale. At first, they were not a very popular item. However, when they increased the price it suddenly became more desirable. Now tater tots are a familiar favorite potato recipe for many different occasions!
Preheating the oven or air fryer is crucial. Start with a hot cooking environment allows the tater tots to begin crisping up immediately, resulting in a better texture. Don’t use too much oil. Using too much oil can lead to greasy tots instead of crispy ones.
Yes, air fryer tater tots are healthier than if you choose to deep fry them. There is less saturated fat, and calories when you use an air fryer.
Seasoning Suggestions
While your tater tots don’t need any additional seasoning you can amp up the flavor by using the following:
- Taco Seasoning
- Onion Powder
- Black Pepper
- Cayenne
- Paprika
- Chili Powder
- Seasoned Salt
🍴 How to Serve
Ketchup is of course the most popular way to serve these tots, but you can really get creative. Try serving with vegan sour cream and a sprinkle of green onions, or dip into barbecue sauce. These also taste great dipped in vegan honey mustard. Make as a side dish to serve with carrot dogs or veggie burgers instead of fries. You can also create your own tater tot casserole with vegan cheese. Or how about tater tot nachos with diced peppers, guacamole, and salsa!
❄️ How to Store
It’s best to make these when you’re ready to serve them. They are best enjoyed fresh. If you have leftovers transfer them to an airtight container, and store in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. When you’re ready to enjoy them again, transfer back to the air fryer to crisp back up for 5-8 minutes.
More Air Fryer Potato Recipes!
Recipe
Air Fryer Tater Tots
Equipment
Ingredients
- 20 oz bag of tater tots organic preferred
- 1 teaspoon olive oil
Instructions
- Using a paper towel and 1 teaspoon of olive oil, wipe the air fryer basket with oil.
- Fill the air fryer basket with the frozen tater tots.
- Set the temperature to 400 F for 15 minutes.
- Toss the tater tots at the half way point, about 7 ½ minutes through cooking time.
- Transfer to a serving bowl and serve with ketchup of your favorite dipping sauce.
Video
Notes
- Use quality tater tots.
- Look for tots with a few ingredients that you can read to avoid processed ingredients. I recommend the Alexia brand.
- Use a small amount of oil, I recommend olive or avocado oil. Moderately coat the air fryer basket with oil.
- Some air fryers need to be preheated. Preheat your air fryer if needed.
- Be sure to toss the tots at the halfway point, 7.5 minutes to guarantee an even fry.
Cheri
The air fryer makes the best tator tots hands down!
Jenn
I’m just getting used to my air fryer so I’m collecting tips, recipes and ideas, so I really appreciate learning how to make tots in my air fryer! thanks for the instructions – I can’t wait to try it!
Emily Liao
These air fryer tots are the best! Perfectly crispy and was the perfect appetizer. Will definitely make this again for when I have guests over.
Rebecca
I LOVE tots! this is such an easy way to cook them & get ’em super crunchy! Yum
Anita
This is definitely the easiest way to prepare tater tots. Now I can serve this often for our Sunday brunch. 🙂
Scarlet
I love the air fryer for crisping things up. I have to try these air fryer tater tots soon. Yum.
Farah Maizar
Yaay! I have an air fryer and barely use it, and this definitely inspired me to break it out! thanks for the recipe!
Amy Pletcher
I have a regular 8qt air fryer but wanted to try out my instant pot air fryer combo so tonight we had slow cooker meatball subs and air fry tator tots. Your tips turned out fantastic!!!
Alison Corey
Thanks! I’m glad they turned out well for you!