Last Updated on May 9, 2024 by MOe
Tater tots are the ultimate comfort food, but deep frying packs them with excess fat and calories. Luckily, cooking air fryer frozen tater tots gives you all that crispy, crunchy enjoyment without the oil.
In this guide, learn how air frying achieves perfectly browned air fryer frozen tater tots with just a fraction of the oil of deep frying. We’ll cover everything from cook times and temperatures to tossing with seasoning and serving ideas. With just a few simple tips, you can enjoy lighter yet satisfyingly crispy air fried tater tots anytime.
Why Air Fry Frozen Tater Tots ?
Air frying is a cooking method that uses super hot, rapidly circulating air to create crispy, fried-like results in a fraction of the oil. Here are some of the benefits of air fryer frozen tater tots:
- Uses up to 80% less oil than deep frying for tater tots with far fewer calories
- Achieves crispy, browned exterior and fluffy interior without deep frying
- Heats tater tots more evenly than oven baking
- Quicker cooking than oven since no preheat required
- No need to flip or stir tater tots during cooking as air circulates all sides
- Can season and flavor tater tots before air frying
- Easy cleanup without dealing with draining or disposing of hot oil
Air frying lets you skip deep frying without sacrificing the addictively crispy, crunchy texture of perfectly cooked tater tots.
How to Buy Air Fryer Frozen Tater Tots
You can’t go wrong buying any standard frozen tater tots for air frying. However, here are some tips for selecting the best ones:
- Buy tots made specifically for frying or crisping, not baking. They’ll get crispiest.
- Look for tot shapes with more surface area like waffle fries or cricket shapes. More crunch!
- Seek tater tots without a lot of added flavors or coatings. You’ll add seasoning later.
- Opt for tots made from potato flakes, not fresh potatoes. They air fry up lighter.
- Check serving size – tater tots vary in size. Air fry time may need adjusting.
Ultimately any plain frozen tater tots will cook up deliciously in your air fryer. Now let’s get crisping!
How to Air Fry Frozen Tater Tots
One of the easiest appetizers, sides, or snacks is just minutes away. Here’s the process:
- Preheat air fryer to 400°F.
- Place frozen tater tots in a single layer in the air fryer basket.
- Air fry for 5 minutes until starting to brown.
- Shake basket or flip tots and air fry 5-7 more minutes until crisped.
That’s really all there is to it! The circulating super hot air will crisp up the tots to perfection.
For extra flavor, spray tots with oil and season before air frying. Track cook times and make any adjustments needed based on your air fryer model and tot size. Enjoy your crispy air fried tater tots!
Seasoning and Flavoring Tips
Don’t stop at plain tater tots. Use these easy ways to add flavor:
- Seasoned salts: Sprinkle tater tots with seasoning salt, ranch powder, lemon pepper, or Cajun seasoning before air frying.
- Grated cheeses: Toss cooked tots with grated cheddar, parmesan, cotija, or nutritional yeast for cheesy flavor.
- Chili and cayenne: Mix chili powder and cayenne pepper into the air fryer basket for spicy tots.
- Garlic and herbs: Toss cooked tater tots with minced roasted garlic, rosemary, oregano, or other dried herbs.
- Spice blends: Add flavor with a dash of taco seasoning, jerk seasoning, harissa or garam masala.
- Sauces and dressings: Toss hot crisped tater tots with ketchup, zesty buffalo sauce, ranch dressing, bbq sauce or spicy mayo.
The possibilities are endless for jazzing up humble tater tots!
Serving Ideas for Air Fried Tater Tots
Crisp, golden air fried tater tots are delicious:
- As a side dish alongside burgers, chicken, meatloaf, or fish
- Topped on soups, salads, and nachos
- Added into breakfast bowls and hashes
- On their own as a snack, appetizer, or party food
- Mixed into sliders, wraps, and tacos
- Loaded with cheese, bacon, scallions, and sour cream
- Topped with an egg for a fun play on eggs and hash browns
- As a crunchy topping on casseroles or shepherd’s pie
Let your creativity run wild playing with fun toppings and recipes for your freshly air fried tater tots!
Tips for the Best Air Fried Tater Tots
Here are some helpful tips to achieve the ultimate crispy air fried tater tots every time:
- Use frozen tots – Do not thaw first or tots may become soggy.
- Separate any stuck tots before air frying so they crisp evenly.
- Preheat air fryer fully before adding tots.
- Air fry in a single layer, not touching or overlapping.
- Set air fryer between 380-400°F to avoid burning.
- Shake basket or flip tots midway for even browning.
- Spray tots with oil before seasoning for maximum crispness.
- Adjust cook time based on tot size – larger tots may need longer.
- Work in smaller batches for crispiest results.
Follow this guidance and you’ll be biting into perfect crispy tater tots in no time.
Troubleshooting Air Fried Tater Tots
Having trouble getting your frozen tater tots crispy in the air fryer? Here are some tips:
- Tots are not browning – Increase air fryer temperature by 25 degrees. Mist tots with oil before air frying.
- Tots are mushy – Do not thaw tots before air frying. Use lower temperature around 350°F.
- Tots are burnt on outside, raw inside – Turn down heat to cook more gently without burning exterior.
- Tots are dried out – Cook at slightly lower temp and check frequently for doneness.
- Tots are unevenly cooked – Shake basket during cooking to redistribute and prevent hot spots.
- Tots are greasy – Pat off excess oil, use lighter breading, and adjust fryer temp down slightly.
With a few minor adjustments, you’ll be whipping up perfectly crisped frozen tater tots in your air fryer.
FAQs About Air Fryer Frozen Tater Tots
If you’re new to the air frying game, here are answers to some frequently asked questions:
Should tater tots be thawed before air frying?
No, frozen tater tots can go straight into the air fryer without thawing first.
What temperature is best for air frying tater tots?
Around 380-400°F is ideal, adjusting up or down if they cook too fast or slow.
How long does it take to air fry frozen tater tots?
Expect about 10-12 minutes total cooking time, flipping halfway through. Larger tots may take a couple minutes longer.
What oil should be used to mist the tater tots?
Any high smoke point cooking oil spray works well, like canola, avocado, or coconut oil.
How can I add flavor to air fried tater tots?
Season with spices and herbs before air frying or toss hot cooked tots with sauces and dressings.
Should I flip the tater tots during air frying?
Yes, flipping once midway through ensures even browning and cooking on all sides.
Thanks to their ability to cook foods crispy with hardly any oil, air fryers open up a healthier way to enjoy frozen comfort foods like tater tots. Follow these tips and enjoy!
Useful External Links and Anchor Text
Tater Tots Nutrition Facts from My Food Data
Nutritional information on calories, carbs, protein and more in tater tots.
America’s Test Kitchen Air Fryer Tater Tot Recipe
Step-by-step recipe for crispy air fried tater tots from a trusted kitchen resource.
How to Clean an Air Fryer from CNET
Tips for cleaning and maintaining an air fryer properly after cooking messy foods like tater tots.