Why You’ll Love This Recipe

You get that crisp, fried texture without needing to deep fry.
They cook quickly, making them a great side or snack for busy days.
It’s nearly foolproof—start with frozen tots, toss halfway, and you’re done.
You can season them or dress them up (loaded tots!) for extra flavor.

Ingredients

(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)

Frozen tater tots
Optional: a light spray of oil
Salt (or seasoning, if your tots aren’t preseasoned)

Directions

Preheat your air fryer to about 200 °C (≈ 400 °F).
Arrange the tots
Place the frozen tater tots in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Avoid overcrowding—if needed, cook in batches.
Optionally spray / season
Lightly mist the tops of the tots with cooking spray. If they’re not already salted or seasoned, sprinkle on a little salt or your preferred seasoning.
Cook in stages
- Cook for about 5 minutes.
- Open and shake or turn the basket, rearranging tots for even browning.
- Return to the air fryer and cook another 7–10 minutes (or until golden and crisp), shaking or flipping every few minutes.
Check doneness
Tots are ready when they’re nicely browned and crisp to your liking.
Serve immediately
Enjoy them hot with ketchup, ranch, cheese sauce, or your favorite dip.

Servings and timing

Servings: about 3–4 (depending on how many tots and the size of your basket)
Prep time: ~2–5 minutes (mostly just preheat and get them into the basket)
Cook time: ~10–15 minutes (depending on your air fryer and batch size)
Total time: ~12–20 minutes

Variations

Loaded tots: After cooking, top with cheese, bacon bits, green onions, sour cream, or other toppings.
Spiced tots: Toss with smoked paprika, garlic powder, chili powder, or seasoning blends before or mid-cook.
“Extra crispy” method: Extend cook time by a few minutes or increase the temperature slightly (watch closely).
No-oil method: Skip the spray if your tots are already oiled; many brands crisp well without added oil.
Homemade tots: If you make tater tots from scratch (potato + binder), follow the same approach—preheat, single layer, shake mid-cook, and adjust time as needed.

Storage/Reheating

Storage: Let leftovers cool, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for 2–3 days.
Reheating: Re-crisp in the air fryer at ~180–200 °C (≈ 350–400 °F) for a few minutes (2–5 min), shaking once, until heated through and crunchy again.

FAQs

Can I cook the tots without preheating the air fryer?

Yes, but preheating helps the outsides crisp faster. If you skip it, you may need a minute or two extra cooking time.

Do I need to spray oil on the tots?

Not always. If your frozen tots already contain oil, they often crisp well without extra spray. A light mist helps especially when your air fryer is prone to sticking.

What if they’re not crisping evenly?

Pause partway, shake or flip them, rearrange any less crisp ones toward hotter zones, and continue cooking.

Can I cook a full bag at once?

It depends on your air fryer size. Overcrowding reduces crispiness, so doing two smaller batches often yields better results.

How do I make them super crunchy?

Cook a little longer, ensure good airflow around each tot (don’t overlap), and use a light oil spray if needed.

Can I add seasoning after cooking?

Yes—but seasoning earlier helps it stick. After cooking, you can toss them in garlic salt, ranch seasoning, or other flavor blends quickly.

Are mini tots different?

Yes—smaller tots will cook faster. Start checking a few minutes earlier to avoid burning.

Do I have to shake or flip them?

Yes, shaking or flipping mid-cook improves even browning on all sides.

Can I bake them instead?

Yes—use a baking sheet, bake at ~220 °C (425 °F), flip halfway, and bake until crispy. They’ll work, though texture might differ slightly.

What dips go best?

Ketchup, ranch, spicy mayo, cheese sauce, BBQ sauce, or your favorite dipping sauce.

Conclusion

Air Fryer Tater Tots are an easy, satisfying side or snack you can make in minutes. With minimal effort and just a few tricks—preheating, single layer, shaking—they come out crispy and delicious. Let me know if you’d like a printable recipe card (with quantities) or ideas for creative “loaded tot” versions!

Air Fryer Tater Tots

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Crispy, golden Air Fryer Tater Tots made straight from frozen — perfectly crunchy on the outside and fluffy inside. An easy, crowd-pleasing snack or side dish ready in minutes!

Author: Laura
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 12–15 minutes
Total Time: 17–20 minutes
Yield: 3–4 servings
Category: Side Dish, Snack
Method: Air Fryer
Cuisine: American
Diet: Vegetarian

Ingredients

1 bag (16–32 oz / 450–900 g) frozen tater tots
Cooking spray or oil mist (optional)
Salt or seasoning blend, to taste

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

Instructions

Preheat your air fryer to 200°C (400°F) for a few minutes.
Arrange the frozen tater tots in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Avoid overcrowding for even crisping.
Lightly mist with cooking spray (optional) and season with salt or preferred seasonings.
Air fry for 5 minutes, then shake the basket or turn the tots for even browning.
Continue cooking for another 7–10 minutes, shaking every few minutes, until golden and crisp to your liking.
Serve immediately with ketchup, ranch, or your favorite dipping sauce.

Notes

Preheating helps ensure even crisping and faster cooking.
If your tots already contain oil, skip the spray — they’ll crisp up well on their own.
Shake or flip halfway through cooking for even browning.
For extra-crispy tots, cook 2–3 minutes longer, watching closely near the end.
Try topping with melted cheese, bacon bits, or scallions for loaded tots!

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 cup (about 8–10 tots)
Calories: 190
Sugar: 1g
Sodium: 450mg
Fat: 9g
Saturated Fat: 2g
Unsaturated Fat: 6g
Trans Fat: 0g
Carbohydrates: 24g
Fiber: 2g
Protein: 2g
Cholesterol: 0mg