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    Cooking Gorgeous » Recipes » Side Dishes

    Homemade Tater Tots in Air Fryer

    Published: Jul 16, 2023 by Ayla Clulee · This post may contain affiliate links.

    Jump to Recipe

    Quick and Easy Recipe for Deliciously Crispy Homemade Tater Tots in the Air Fryer

    Learn how to make perfectly cooked tater tots made from scratch in your air fryer. A simple and delicious snack for everyone to enjoy!

    With a sprinkle of garlic and onion powder and a dash of salt and pepper, these tater tots become irresistibly crispy on the outside and delightfully soft and creamy on the inside.

    a bowl of freshly made tater tots in air fryer served with ketchup
    Jump to:
    • What are Tater Tots?
    • Why This Recipe Works?
    • What are The Benefits of Using an Air Fryer?
    • Ingredients You'll Need
    • How to Make Tater Tots in an Air Fryer?
    • Top Tips From the Chef
    • Flavor Variations
    • What to Serve with Air Fryer Tater Tots?
    • Storage and Reheating
    • Recipe FAQs
    • Related Recipes
    • Homemade Tater Tots in Air Fryer

    Homemade tater tots are a wonderful alternative if you are looking for a tasty twist on potato side dishes.

    While store-bought frozen tater tots are convenient, nothing beats the satisfaction of making your own at home.

    Crunchy, golden brown, and utterly irresistible, these perfect bite-sized snacks are beloved by people of all ages.

    What are Tater Tots?

    Tater tots are a popular type of snack consisting of lightly seasoned grated potatoes that are shaped into small cylindrical pieces.

    They are typically deep-fried or baked until they become crispy and golden brown.

    Their compact and bite-sized form makes them convenient and enjoyable to eat.

    Tater tots are often seasoned with various spices and seasonings to enhance their flavor.

    You can serve these perfectly crispy and crunchy bite-sized potatoes as a perfect side dish, appetizer, or snack.

    Why This Recipe Works?

    • Grating the potatoes and air frying them creates tater tots with a crispy exterior and a soft, creamy inside.
    • With a blend of garlic and onion powder, salt, and pepper, this recipe enhances the natural flavors of the potatoes, resulting in a delicious and satisfying snack.
    • Making homemade air fryer tots with this recipe is easy and straightforward. With simple ingredients and clear instructions, even beginners can achieve excellent results.
    • Tater tots are popular among people of all ages. Whether you serve them as a great side dish, appetizer, or quick snack, these bite-sized treats are a crowd-pleaser!
    • Made with basic ingredients found in your pantry, these homemade tater tots are gentle on your wallet.
    • Air frying these tater tots gives them the delicious taste of deep-fried goodness while being a healthier alternative.

    What are The Benefits of Using an Air Fryer?

    • Healthier Cooking - Air fryers require less oil, making your meals healthier and lower in calories.
    • Reduced Fat - By using minimal oil, air frying reduces the fat content in your food.
    • Versatile Cooking - Air fryers can fry, grill, roast, bake, and reheat, eliminating the need for multiple appliances.
    • Faster Cooking - Air fryers cook food quickly and evenly, saving you time in the kitchen.
    • Easy Cleanup - Most air fryers have non-stick surfaces, making them easy to clean.
    • Energy Efficient - Air fryers use less energy than traditional cooking methods, saving you money.

    If you're looking for additional air fryer recipes, you'll definitely want to try these effortless recipes for Crispy Breaded Air Fryer Okra, Air Fryer Chicken Tenders, and Easy Air Fryer Asparagus.

    Ingredients You'll Need

    Please scroll down to the recipe card below for the full ingredients list with measurements, complete recipe method, recipe notes, and nutritional information.

    Labelled picture of ingredients for homemade air fryer tater tots
    • Potatoes - This tater tots recipe works perfectly with floury potatoes such as King Edward, Maris Piper, Russet, or Rooster.
    • Seasoning - I use garlic powder, onion powder, dried oregano, cajun spices, salt, and freshly ground black pepper. However, feel free to experiment with different seasonings and adjust the quantities to suit your personal taste preferences.
    • Flour - All-purpose (plain white) flour works best when shaping your tater tots.
    • Cheddar - Feel free to choose any of your preferred hard cheeses to add an extra layer of flavor.
    • Oil - Lightly coat the tater tots with olive oil or vegetable oil for extra crispness.

    How to Make Tater Tots in an Air Fryer?

    Cooking tater tots in an air fryer is very easy and to achieve the best results, you need to follow a few simple steps:

    Peel the potatoes, cut them in halves, and place them in a large pot of cold water.

    potatoes are peeled, cut in halves, and placed in a pot filled with cold water

    Bring the pot to a boil over high heat and cook the potatoes for about 7-8 minutes, or until they are slightly tender.

    Drain the potatoes and let them cool until they are easy to handle.

    par boiled and drained  potatoes

    Once the potatoes have cooled grate them using a box grater. 

    par boiled potatoes are grated in a large bowl

    In a large bowl, combine the grated potatoes, plain white flour, salt, black pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, dried oregano, Cajun spices, and grated cheddar cheese.

    flour, cheddar and seasoning are added to grated potatoes

    Mix well until all the ingredients are evenly incorporated.

    all the ingredients are mixed well for forming tater tots

    Take a small handful of the potato mixture and shape it into a cylindrical tater tot.

    Repeat this process until all the mixture is used, placing the tater tots on a plate or tray.

    shaped tater tots are placed on a plate

    Preheat your air fryer to 200°C (400°F) for about 5 minutes.

    Lightly spray the tater tots with oil on all sides. This will help them crisp up in the air fryer.

    Carefully place the tater tots in the air fryer basket, making sure to leave space between them for proper air circulation.

    tater tots are placed in an air fryer basket

    You may need to cook them in batches, depending on the size of your air fryer.

    Cook the tater tots in the air fryer at 200°C (400°F) for approximately 20 minutes, or until they turn golden brown and crispy.

    Once cooked, carefully remove the tater tots from the air fryer and allow them to cool slightly before serving.

    Serve the homemade tater tots as a delightful snack, appetizer, or side dish alongside your favorite dipping sauce.

    Top Tips From the Chef

    • Choose floury potatoes like Desiree, Russet, or Maris Piper for the best results. These types of potatoes have a higher starch content, resulting in a fluffier texture for your potato side dish.
    • Parboil the potatoes until they are slightly tender before grating. This step helps to ensure that the grated potatoes hold their shape and texture while cooking.
    • When shaping the tater tots, ensure that they are of uniform size. This guarantees even cooking and consistent results.
    • Leave enough space between the tater tots in the air fryer basket to allow proper airflow and even browning. Overcrowding may result in uneven cooking and less crispy tater tots.
    • Lightly spray the tater tots with olive oil cooking spray before air frying to achieve a crispy texture and golden-brown color.
    • Cooking times may vary depending on the size and thickness of your tater tots, as well as the type of air fryer. Keep an eye on them and adjust the cooking time as needed to achieve your desired level of crispiness.

    Flavor Variations

    • Add fresh or dried herbs like rosemary, thyme, or parsley to the potato mixture for an aromatic and flavorful touch.
    • Incorporate chili powder, taco seasoning, cayenne pepper, or hot sauce into the seasoning mix to give your tater tots a spicy kick.
    • You can also add smoked paprika or chipotle powder to the seasoning blend to infuse your tater tots with a delicious smoky flavor.
    • Feel free to combine ranch seasoning with the potato mixture for a tangy and herby flavor reminiscent of classic ranch dressing.
    • Drizzle truffle oil over the grated potatoes or sprinkle with truffle salt to create luxurious and aromatic truffle-infused tater tots!

    What to Serve with Air Fryer Tater Tots?

    Crispy air fryer tater tots are a versatile and delicious snack or side dish that pairs well with a variety of accompaniments.

    Serve them with classic dipping sauces like ketchup, barbecue sauce, or ranch dressing for a familiar and tasty combination.

    For something different, pair them with gourmet dips such as garlic aioli, spicy mayo, or Tartar Sauce with Capers for an extra burst of flavor.

    Enjoy tater tots as a side dish alongside Air Fryer Hamburgers, Tantuni, or Steak Picado (Bistec Picado) for a complete and satisfying meal.

    Serve tater tots as a brunch side dish alongside Kaygana (Turkish Omelette), Air Fryer Sausage, or Cilbir (Turkish Poached Eggs) for a hearty and flavorful morning meal.

    Complement tater tots with grilled meat or seafood dishes like Joojeh Kabab (Persian Chicken Kebab), BBQ Garlic Prawns, or Lamb Shish Kebab.

    Storage and Reheating

    If you have any leftover tater tots, allow them to cool completely before storing them.

    Place them in an airtight container or zip-top bag and store them in the refrigerator for up to 3 days or in the freezer for up to 3 months.

    To reheat the tater tots, preheat your air fryer to 180°C (350°F) for a few minutes.

    Arrange the tater tots in a single layer in the air fryer basket and heat for about 5-7 minutes, or until they are heated through and crispy.

    If you prefer a quicker reheating method, you can use the microwave.

    Place the tater tots on a microwave-safe plate and heat them in 30-second intervals, stirring or flipping them occasionally, until they are heated through.

    While reheating tater tots, keep in mind that they may not be as crispy as when freshly cooked. However, they will still retain their delicious flavor.

    Recipe FAQs

    Can I bake the tater tots instead of air-frying?

    Yes, if you don't have an air fryer, you can bake the tater tots in a preheated oven at 200°C (400°F) for approximately 20-25 minutes or until golden brown and crispy.
    Flip them halfway through the baking time for even browning.

    Can I freeze the tater tots?

    Yes, you can freeze the uncooked tater tots for future use.
    After shaping the tater tots, place them on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and freeze until solid.
    Then transfer them to a freezer-safe container or zip-top bag.
    They can be frozen for up to 3 months.
    When ready to cook the frozen tater tots, follow the recipe instructions, adding a few extra minutes to the cooking time.

    Can I make the tater tots ahead of time?

    Yes, you can prepare the tater tots ahead of time and refrigerate them until ready to cook.
    Place the shaped tater tots on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper, then cover and refrigerate for up to 24 hours.
    When you're ready to cook, follow the recipe instructions.

    Related Recipes

    For more easy and delicious air fryer recipes why not try:

    • Crispy Breaded Air Fryer Okra Recipe
    • Air Fryer Cinnamon Rolls
    • Easy Air Fryer Crab Cakes
    • Air Fryer Chicken Tenders

    Did you make this recipe? Please let me know how it turned out! Leave a comment below and tag @cookingorgeous on Instagram and hashtag it #cookingorgeous.

    I hope you enjoy the process of making these perfectly crispy and crunchy Homemade Tater Tots in Air Fryer as much as you enjoy eating them! 🙂 

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    Homemade Tater Tots in Air Fryer

    Ayla Clulee
    With a sprinkle of garlic and onion powder and a dash of salt and pepper, these tater tots become irresistibly crispy on the outside and delightfully soft and creamy on the inside.
    No ratings yet
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    Prep Time 10 minutes mins
    Cook Time 20 minutes mins
    Total Time 30 minutes mins
    Course Side Dish, Snack
    Cuisine American
    Servings 20 pieces
    Calories 38 kcal

    Equipment

    • 1 kitchen scale
    • 1 grater
    • 1 air fryer
    • 1 measuring spoons

    Ingredients
     
     

    • 700 g floury potatoes such as desire, russet, or maris piper
    • ½ tablespoon plain white flour / all-purpose flour
    • 1 teaspoon salt
    • ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
    • ½ teaspoon garlic powder
    • ¼ teaspoon onion powder
    • ½ teaspoon dried oregano
    • ½ teaspoon cajun spices
    • 50 g grated cheddar
    • spray oil

    Instructions
     

    • Peel the potatoes, cut them in halves, and place them in a large pot of cold water. 
    • Bring the pot to a boil over high heat and cook the potatoes for about 7-8 minutes, or until they are slightly tender. Drain the potatoes and let them cool until they are easy to handle.
    • Once the potatoes have cooled grate them using a box grater.
    • In a large bowl, combine the grated potatoes, plain white flour, salt, black pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, dried oregano, Cajun spices, and grated cheddar cheese. Mix well until all the ingredients are evenly incorporated.
    • Take a small handful of the potato mixture and shape it into a cylindrical tater tot. Repeat this process until all the mixture is used, placing the tater tots on a plate or tray.
    • Preheat your air fryer to 200°C (400°F) for about 5 minutes.
    • Lightly spray the tater tots with oil on all sides. This will help them crisp up in the air fryer.
    • Carefully place the tater tots in the air fryer basket, making sure to leave space between them for proper air circulation. You may need to cook them in batches, depending on the size of your air fryer.
    • Cook the tater tots in the air fryer at 200°C (400°F) for approximately 20 minutes, or until they turn golden brown and crispy.
    • Once cooked, carefully remove the tater tots from the air fryer and allow them to cool slightly before serving.
    • Serve the homemade tater tots as a delightful snack, appetizer, or side dish alongside your favorite dipping sauce.

    Notes

    • Choose floury potatoes like Desiree, Russet, or Maris Piper for the best results. These types of potatoes have a higher starch content, resulting in a fluffier texture for your tater tots.
    • Parboil the potatoes until they are slightly tender before grating. This step helps to ensure that the grated potatoes hold their shape and texture while cooking.
    • When shaping the tater tots, ensure that they are of uniform size. This guarantees even cooking and consistent results.
    • Leave enough space between the tater tots in the air fryer basket to allow proper airflow and even browning. Overcrowding may result in uneven cooking and less crispy tater tots.
    • Lightly spray the tater tots with oil before air frying to achieve a crispy texture and golden-brown color.
    • Cooking times may vary depending on the size and thickness of your tater tots, as well as the specific air fryer model. Keep an eye on them and adjust the cooking time as needed to achieve your desired level of crispiness.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 38kcalCarbohydrates: 6gProtein: 1gFat: 1gSaturated Fat: 1gPolyunsaturated Fat: 0.1gMonounsaturated Fat: 0.3gCholesterol: 3mgSodium: 139mgPotassium: 164mgFiber: 1gSugar: 0.5gVitamin A: 29IUVitamin C: 3mgCalcium: 22mgIron: 0.3mg
    Tried this recipe?Mention @cookingorgeous or tag #cookingorgeous!

    This post uses affiliate links. This means that if you click on them and then buy something, we get a small amount of commission to keep the site running, but it doesn’t cost you anything more.

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    Welcome to Cooking Gorgeous, where delicious easy-to-follow recipes and culinary inspiration await you! My name is Ayla Clulee, a passionate and professional Cordon Bleu-trained chef, recipe developer, and food content creator with decades of experience. I am based in the UK, and I'm thrilled to have you here.

    The kitchen is my happy place and cooking is my therapy.

    More about me →

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