Air Fryer Tater Tots (Easy Video Recipe)

Name: Air Fryer Tater Tots
Prep time: 1 min
Cook time: 12 min
Total time: 13 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: Frozen tater tots; Kosher salt, or other dry seasoning

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Air fryer tater tots are an easy way to cook these little potato nuggets so they get super crispy in just a few minutes without needing to add any oil. In this post, we will go over the simple steps to transforming frozen tater tots, as well as some tasty toppings and variations to try. Whether you’re a tater tot lover or just looking for a quick and easy side dish recipe, you won’t be disappointed!

Why I Love Air Fryer Tater Tots

If you don’t already know, kids love tater tots, and honestly, anything you can dip in ketchup. Now that my kids are becoming more responsible and do most of the cooking around here, the air fryer is their favorite cooking appliance. I totally get it. An air fryer requires no preheating. You set it and walk away until the food is done. And for my younger kids, it isn’t as intimidating as using the gas range or hot oven.

To help them learn to make more dishes on their own, I’ve been working on creating easy air fryer recipes that are kid-friendly and ready in just a few minutes. Since my kids would eat potatoes every day if I let them, I figured it was time I created the perfect air fryer tater tots for them. When I was testing this recipe, they were constantly swarming and waiting until the next test batch was done 🙂

Air Fryer Tater Tots Ingredients and Tools

Frozen tater tots
Kosher salt
Air fryer

How to Make Air Fryer Tater Tots

If you can open a bag of frozen tater tots, you can make these super crispy potato nuggets!

Time needed: 12 minutes.

How to Make Air Fryer Tater Tots

Place frozen tater tots into the basket of your air fryer
The amount depends on the size of your air fryer. The important point is to be sure they are in a single layer. If they stack on top of each other, there isn’t enough room for the hot convected air to circulate properly.
Partially cook the tater tots in the air fryer
Use the hottest temperature setting your air fryer has, usually 400 degrees. Cook for 6 minutes.
Salt and shake the tater tots
Use kosher salt and generously sprinkle the tots. Shake the basket to flip the tater tots around.
Finish cooking the tater tots in the air fryer
Use the same 400-degree temperature and cook for 6-8 more minutes. The amount of time will depend on the power level of your air fryer. This recipe was written using a 1500-watt machine.

Air Fryer Tater Tots FAQs

How long do you cook tater tots in the air fryer?

The answer to this question is dependent on the power level of your air fryer, as well as the temperature used. In a 1500-watt air fryer set at 400 degrees, it will take 12-14 minutes to cook air fryer tater tots and make them very crispy on the outside. A 1300-watt machine will take longer and a 1700-watt machine will take less time.

Can you put frozen tater tots in the air fryer?

Not only can you put frozen tater tots in the air fryer, but I also suggest only using frozen tater tots. Starting with frozen tots allows for the outside to get super crispy without overcooking and drying out the interior of the tots.

Will this recipe work with sweet potato tots?

You bet! This recipe works very well with sweet potato tater tots. Use the recipe exactly the same. The only difference you might run into is the need for an extra minute or two during the second session inside the air fryer.

Which Air Fryer Do You Recommend?

Obviously, there are A LOT of air fryers on the market so how do you know which one is right for you? First, determine the size of the air fryer you want because that is the main difference from one to the next. For our family, a higher volume air fryer is better so I don’t have to make multiple batches of food.

You also want to look at the temperature range and power level of any air fryer you are buying. Many of them get hot but not all of them have a lower temperature range. Definitely select one that goes as low as 250 so you can make all types of recipes, like these Air Fryer Hard Boiled Eggs. Also, look at the power level. I’ve found 1500 watts to be perfect.

All that being said, I highly recommend the COSORI 5 qt air fryer. It is my second air fryer and hands-down better than my first one. You will love it.

Recipe Variations

Being a home cook provides endless opportunities to experiment with recipes, personalizing them to your tastes and creativity. Any of the following variations would be great spin-offs of these air fryer tater tots.

Add bacon by chopping up some thin-cut bacon into small pieces and tossing it in with the tater tots while they cook. You could also use precooked bacon pieces and add them during the last 2 minutes of cook time.
Add cheese to the tots by topping them with shredded sharp cheddar or pepper jack cheese right after they come out of the air fryer.
Add heat substituting your favorite spicy dry seasoning for the kosher salt. You can also combine the use of shredded cheese as mentioned above and add some fresh or pickled jalapeños on top.

30-Second Recipe Video

Looking For More Great Air Fryer Recipes?

If this recipe was just what you were looking for, be sure to check out these other delicious recipes. Go grab them now before you forget!

air fryer baked potato — Air Fryer Baked Potatoes

Air Fryer Hot Dogs — Air Fryer Baked Potatoes

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