My favorite way to make tater tots in the air fryer so they get crispy yet still stay fluffy. I make these at least once a week because my kids love them!
This post may contain affiliate links. If you click on a link and make a purchase, I may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. For more information, please read my disclaimer.
Quick and Crispy Air Fryer Tater Tots
Air fryers are known for cooking frozen foods to be super crispy, so when I tossed some tater tots in the air fryer, it was no surprise they turned out the same.
What I didn’t realize is just how much better they would be. My kids have started asking for them as their go-to side every single week for everything from hot dogs to chicken tenders. They even enjoy them as a snack!
And I have to say I don’t mind because they cook up quicker than the oven would preheat, get crispier, have a better texture, and just overall taste better.
I make them for dinner, but also breakfast when my kids are sick of eating air fryer hash brown patties. It’s a nice change-up and still super easy to make.
If you love a good and easy frozen food for the air fryer, try making some of my dino nuggets, chicken patties, Hot Pockets, Texas Toast, frozen mozzarella sticks, and frozen egg rolls.
Why Air Fry Tater Tots
Here’s my quick answer – they cook way faster than in the oven and get even crispier. I’ve tested it and my oven was just about preheated when my air fryer beeped that they were done cooking in there. That means saving time so I can make dinner faster. I just toss them in the air fryer and let them cook!
How to Cook tater tots in the air fryer
STEP ONE: Preheat your air fryer to 400 degrees.
STEP TWO: Place the frozen tater tots in an air fryer basket or tray in one single layer and cook for 7 to 9 minutes.
STEP THREE: Remove them from the air fryer and enjoy!
Air Fryer Tater Tots Tips
- Air fry them in a single layer in the air fryer basket or tray for the most even cooking. If you have any more than that, cook them in batches.
- Use your favorite brand of tater tots — whether it be Ore-Ida, Alexia, or even Great Value (I personally love Ore-Ida Crispy Crowns). I’ve even used veggie tots!
- Mini tater tots will take less time to cook, so check them around the 5-minute mark.
- Want them extra crispy? Cook the air fryer tots for another 1 to 2 minutes until they are a dark golden brown.
- Don’t use any cooking spray. Frozen tater tots already contain oil, so you don’t need to add any more.
What To Serve with Tater Tots in the Air Fryer
I think of tater tots as a french fry alternative, so for a typical dinner, I will serve them with hamburgers, pork loin, sloppy joes, or even London broil. The kids love them with grilled cheese and fish sticks.
I’ve also turned them into a breakfast food and pair them with pancakes and air fryer bacon.
Tater Tots in the Air Fryer FAQs
Seasonings for Frozen Tater Tots in the Air Fryer
My kids love tater tots as they are, but I love to add this garlic and herb seasoning on top to give them some more flavor. I’ve also used this cajun seasoning blend, taco seasoning, and Old Bay seasoning, and they are all fantastic.
If you use a blend, just toss the tater tots in the seasoning and air fry.
How Long To air Fry Tater Tots
Tater tots are done cooking in just 7 to 9 minutes when cooked in a preheated air fryer at 400 degrees F.
Tater Tots Dipping Sauce Ideas
My newest favorite sauce to dip tater tots is Big Mac sauce. I also love dipping them in BBQ sauce, nacho cheese sauce, honey buffalo sauce, and of course, my kids love dipping them in ketchup.
How to Reheat Tater Tots in the Air Fryer
Reheat any leftovers in a preheated air fryer at 350 degrees for 3 to 5 minutes until warmed and crispy! I find reheating them in the air fryer gets them the most crispy again.
More Easy Air Fryer Recipes
- Air Fryer Asparagus
- Air Fryer Turkey Bacon
- Air Fryer Frozen Hamburgers
- Air Fryer Chicken Fries
- Air Fryer Chicken Thighs
- Air Fryer French Fries
- Air Fryer Hard Boiled Eggs
Love air frying? Join our newsletter! You can also follow us on Facebook, Instagram, or join our free Facebook Air Frying Community.
Crispy Air Fryer Tater Tots
Equipment
Ingredients
- 16 ounces frozen tater tots
Instructions
- Preheat your air fryer to 400 degrees.
- Place the frozen tater tots into the air fryer filling the basket no more than halfway.
- Cook tater tots for 7 to 9 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through.
- Remove tots from the air fryer and enjoy immediately with your favorite dipping sauce.
Video
Notes
- Reheat leftovers in a preheated air fryer at 350 degrees for 3 to 5 minutes.
Nutrition
This nutrition information is based on the exact products I used in this recipe. Brands and sizes of products could alter exact nutrition and should always be calculated independently.
Wow! Easy and fast! This could lead to some dangerous midnight snacking. 🙂
Yum! This is one of my favorite ways to use an air fryer.
Is there no need to spray the tots with oil?
Hi Holly, most frozen foods in the US already have oil on them, so there’s no need to add any more when air frying them! If they do look a little dry halfway through cooking, you can spritz them with a little bit, but I’ve never had to do that with tater tots.
Many thanks for this!
Looks great!
Quick question, do you have a recipe for making them?
I am in Spain and we don’t have that product in the supermarkets.
Thanks again for your time and have a great day!
Hi Mike, Thanks! I don’t have a recipe for homemade tater tots at this time, but that is a great idea! Thanks for the inspiration!