The key to perfect Air Fryer Tater Tots is tossing them with a tablespoon of vegetable oil. They come out tender and crispy, just like deep fried from a restaurant.
A lot of people look up how to make tater tots in the air fryer. I can tell you from experience that frozen foods air fry at different temps and times than baking them in the oven. I ruined frozen french fries once in my air fryer. They came out rock hard and had to be thrown in the trash can. So that’s why I’m giving you a “recipe” for Air Fryer Tater Tots. They come out crispy on the outside and tender on the inside. So much better tasting than baking them in the oven! And they rival tots that are deep fried, hot and fresh like you would order out.
Want to save this recipe?
Enter your email & I'll send it to your inbox. Plus, get great new recipes from me every week!
Are Air Fryer Tater Tots Healthy?
It depends on how you define healthy. If you stick to a serving size (according to the package) they are relatively low in calories. To ensure perfect tater tots, toss them in one tablespoon of vegetable oil before adding them to the basket. The texture is amazing. And, it’s certainly better than dunking them in a deep fryer. Air fryer tater tots taste far superior to baking them in the oven. I like to dip my tater tots in fry sauce.
How to Air Fry Tater Tots
My air fryer can air fry a half a bag of frozen tater tots at one time. Place the frozen tater tots in a bowl. Add one tablespoon of vegetable oil. Stir to coat. Don’t use cooking spray instead. The spray can damage the non-stick coating on your air fryer basket. Add the tater tots to the air fryer basket in a single layer. Cook at 375 degrees for 10 minutes. Open the basket and shake to move the tater tots around. Air fry at 375 for an additional 4 to 5 minutes. I don’t find it necessary to season them with salt. I also like making loaded tater tots – topping them shredded cheddar cheese, bacon, sour cream and chopped green onion.
Kitchen Tips
- I use a Philips Air Fryer XXL to test all of my recipes
- There’s no need to preheat your air fryer for this recipe
- Don’t be tempted to replace the vegetable oil with cooking spray. The spray will eventually damage the non-stick coating on your air fryer basket.
Foodtastic Mom is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. Any highlighted, clickable Amazon link you see is an affiliate link that I may earn advertising fees on.
Thank you so much for being a faithful reader and supporter of Foodtastic Mom. Be sure to PIN and print this recipe!
Air Fryer Tater Tots
Equipment
- Air Fryer
Ingredients
- 1/2 bag frozen tater tots
- 1 tbsp vegetable oil
Instructions
- Place the frozen tater tots in a clean bowl.
- Add the vegetable oil. Stir well to coat.
- Dump the tater tots into the air fryer basket. Shake so the tots are in a single layer.
- Air fry the tater tots at 375 degrees F for 10 minutes. Open the basket and shake to move the tots around.
- Air fry the tots at 375 for an additional 4 to 5 minutes, or until crispy.
- Serve immediately.
Scott Dressman says
These tater tots came out perfectly. They were so crisp.
foodtasticmom says
Thank you for taking the time to rate and comment. I’m glad you’re enjoying your air fryer! 🙂
Nathan says
Tater tots are the perfect food in my eyes, but I’ve never tried making them in the air fryer! I’ll definitely try this out next time a tot craving hits!
foodtasticmom says
The air fryer really is the perfect way to make them at home.
Alison says
Making tater tots in the air fryer is my favorite way to cook them! They come our perfectly crispy!
foodtasticmom says
I agree. Thanks for the rating!
Toni says
I really loved how easy this is to make!! Thanks for the recipe!
foodtasticmom says
Glad you enjoyed them. You’re welcome!
Patty at Spoonabilities says
Running out for tater tots now! They are so crispy and yummy!
foodtasticmom says
Awesome!
Kalu says
My kid’s favorite snacks and using an air fryer is going to be a game changer.
foodtasticmom says
It really will be!