Who doesn’t love tater tots? These crispy, golden bites of potato goodness are a beloved side dish or snack. If you want to take your frozen tater tots to the next level, the air fryer is the perfect tool. In this article, I’ll instruct you how to cook frozen tater tots in air fryer.
1. Air Fryer Frozen Tater Tots
Ingredients
- Frozen tater tots
- Cooking spray or oil
- Salt (optional)
Instructions
Preheat your air fryer to 400°F (200°C) for about 5 minutes.
Place the desired amount of frozen tater tots in a single layer in the air fryer basket.
Next, lightly spray the tater tots with cooking spray or drizzle them with a small amount of oil.
Place the basket in the air fryer and cook the tater tots for 15-20 minutes, shaking them halfway through the cooking time.
Once the tater tots are cooked to your desired level of crispness, carefully remove them from the air fryer using tongs or a spatula.
Optional: Sprinkle the tater tots with a pinch of salt while they’re still hot, if desired.
Serve the crispy air fried tater tots immediately while they’re piping hot. They’re delicious on their own, but you can also pair them with your favorite dipping sauces.
2. Tips for Perfectly Air-Fried Tater Tots
Don’t Skip Preheating: Preheating the air fryer helps to lock in flavors and ensures that the tater tots cook evenly.
Avoid Overcrowding the Basket: Leave enough space between the tater tots for hot air to circulate. Overcrowding can lead to uneven cooking.
Shake Halfway Through Cooking: To achieve an evenly crisp exterior, shake the tater tots halfway through the cooking time. This ensures both sides get golden and crunchy.
Use Cooking Spray Sparingly: While most frozen tater tots don’t require oil, a light spritz of cooking spray can enhance the crispiness without adding too much grease.
Monitor Cooking Time: The cooking time may vary depending on the brand and size of the tater tots. Keep an eye on them during the last few minutes to prevent overcooking.
3. What to Serve: Dipping Sauces for Tater Tots
Classic Ketchup: The tangy sweetness of ketchup pairs perfectly with the crispy exterior of tater tots.
Ranch Dressing: Cool and creamy, ranch dressing is a crowd favorite, offering a smooth contrast to the crunchy tots.
Buffalo Sauce: If you like a little heat, the spicy, tangy flavor of buffalo sauce is an excellent choice.
Cheese Sauce: A warm, gooey cheese sauce is the ultimate comfort food to dip crispy tots into.
Garlic Aioli: Creamy, with a rich garlic flavor, aioli adds sophistication and boldness to tater tots.
Barbecue Sauce: Sweet, smoky, and tangy, barbecue sauce adds a nice depth of flavor to complement the tots.
Air fryer frozen tater tots are a quick and easy way to enjoy crispy, golden bites of potato goodness. By following this recipe, you’ll achieve perfectly cooked tater tots with a satisfying crunch. Whether it’s a snack, a side dish, or a party appetizer, these crispy tater tots will be a hit.
