Air Fryer Tater Tots
Experience the joy of air fryer tater tots: all the crunch, none of the grease, and a flavor that’s through the roof!
Air Fryer Tater Tots
Tater tots are one of those classic snacks I always have on repeat. They’re small, crispy, and packed with flavor, making them a hit for any occasion!
Air fryer tater tots are both incredibly easy to prepare from scratch and versatile too. Some days, I’m in the mood to keep them simple and classic, and others, I jazz them up with my favorite dips and seasonings.
Not only do they come out super crispy and golden, but they look as good as they taste. Made with less oil, these bite-sized wonders are a healthy, quick alternative to deep frying or grabbing them on the way home! Plus, they have that satisfying crunch on the outside with a soft, warm inside.
Why You Will Love This Recipe
- Healthier option: Air fryer tater tots use less oil compared to deep-frying, offering a healthier alternative without sacrificing that delicious taste.
- Kid-friendly: This recipe is a hit with kids, making it great for family meals or children’s snacks.
- Crispiness perfected: Air frying tater tots creates the ideal crispy exterior while maintaining a soft, fluffy interior.
- Ideal for entertaining: These tater tots are a crowd-pleaser, perfect as appetizers for gatherings and parties.
- Quick and convenient: Air fryer tater tots are a breeze to prepare, making them ideal for quick snacks or side dishes.
How to Cook Tater Tots in Air Fryer
Prepare the potatoes: Peel the potatoes, then boil until they’re tender but not falling apart. Let them cool completely and refrigerate for at least 20 minutes.
Season and shape: Shred the potatoes and mix them with parsley, salt, garlic powder, onion powder, flour, and parmesan cheese. Portion and shape this mixture into 2-inch tater tots, making them nice and compact so they hold their shape.
Air Fryer setup: Preheat your air fryer to 400 degrees. Arrange the tater tots in a single layer in the basket, making sure they’re lightly brushed with oil.
Cook until crisp: Air fry the tater tots for about 14-15 minutes, flipping halfway through for even crispiness.
Pro Tips
- Chilling. The boiled potatoes will be a lot easier to work with if they’re chilled in the refrigerator first.
- Avoid overcrowding. If there are too many tater tots in the air fryer basket at a time, they won’t crisp up nicely.
- Patience is key. Cooling the tater tots for a minute or two before serving also prevents them from falling apart and helps make them even crispier!
- Compact is best. The tater tots should be pretty compact, as this helps prevent them from falling apart, and creates that crunchy outside.
Key Ingredients and Substitutions for Air Fryer Tater Tots
Olive Oil: I use olive oil to make tater tots in the air fryer, but canola or vegetable oil work just as well.
All-Purpose Flour: This helps keep tater tots in the air fryer from falling apart, and I always have some on hand!
Onion Powder: Freshly minced onion can take the place of the onion powder if needed. Just note that there is more of a more robust and fresh onion flavor.
Parmesan Cheese: Adding Parmesan cheese to my air fryer tater tots brings a delicious, cheesy crispness to the mix.
Frequently Asked Questions about Tater Tots in the Air Fryer
What sauces go well with tater tots?
I love pairing air fryer tater tots with different sauces. Ketchup is my go-to, but I often switch it up with barbecue sauce or spicy mayo.
Ranch dressing is another great choice, and cheese sauce really takes them to the next level. Sometimes, I’ll dip them in honey mustard or Sriracha for a tangy kick.
Can I make frozen tater tots in the air fryer?
Yes! In fact, I’ll often make a double batch of this recipe and freeze half for later. It’s best to cook them first, then flash freeze them in a single layer to prevent sticking. Frozen homemade tots will keep for about 1 month.
Cook frozen tater tots in the air fryer — whether from this recipe or storebought — for 15-20 minutes at 400 degrees, flipping halfway through.
What should I do with leftover tater tots?
Store leftover tots in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days, then reheat them in the air fryer at 400 degrees for 3-4 minutes to get them crispy again.
Air Fryer Tater Tots
Experience the joy of air fryer tater tots: all the crunch, none of the grease, and a flavor that's through the roof!
Servings 36 Tater Tots
Calories 32kcal
Ingredients
- 2 lb golden potatoes
- 1 pinch parsley chopped
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- 1/2 tsp onion powder
- 2 tbsp all-purpose flour
- 1/3 cup grated parmesan cheese
- 2 tbsp olive oil
Instructions
- Peel the potatoes and cook them whole in boiling water for 8 to 10 minutes; they should be fork-tender but not breaking apart. Then, let them cool completely. Refrigerate for at least 20 minutes before following the next step.
- Shred potatoes using a coarse box grater or food processor. Then, place shredded potatoes into a large bowl. Add chopped parsley, salt, garlic powder, onion powder, all-purpose flour, and parmesan cheese. Stir to combine.
- Roll the dough into 2-inches long tater tots. When forming the tater tots, roll them into compact cylinders. This helps them hold their shape while air frying.
- Pre-heat the Air Fryer to 400F. Then, arrange tater tots in a single layer and brush them with oil or spray oil. Overcrowding can lead to uneven cooking, so cook in batches if needed.
- Cook tater tots for 14-15 minutes, flipping them over at half-time
- Serve them warm with your favorite dipping sauce.
Notes
Freezing Tips:
- Allow cooked tater tots to cool to room temperature first. Then, place the tater tots on a baking sheet in a single layer and freeze until firm. This prevents them from sticking together. Once frozen, transfer the tater tots to a freezer-safe, airtight container or bag. Label and date it for easy reference.
- To reheat frozen tater tots, preheat your Air Fryer to 400°F (200°C) and cook for 5-6 minutes, shaking the basket occasionally for even heating. Alternatively, you can use an oven or toaster oven.
- Store any leftover cooked tater tots in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Reheat them in the Air Fryer or oven for the best results.
Nutrition
Calories: 32kcal | Carbohydrates: 5g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 1g | Saturated Fat: 0.3g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 1mg | Sodium: 82mg | Potassium: 109mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 0.2g | Vitamin A: 11IU | Vitamin C: 5mg | Calcium: 11mg | Iron: 0.2mg
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