This crispy air fryer tater tots recipe is a quick and simple dish to make and ideal for a small bite or accompaniment. These delicious air fryer tater tots can be prepared using either store-bought frozen ingredients or homemade tater tots. Generally, cook time is less than deep frying and a little bit of oil is sufficient for excellent results.
Air fryer frozen fries is the first recipe one wants to cook after getting an air fryer. In fact, most people love their fries so much that they actually buy their air fryer for it. However, there are other frozen air fryer potato recipes also that you can make. Air fried hash brown , air fryer frozen samosa,air fryer waffle fries, air fryer frozen pizza & air fryer frozen chips, and air fryer frozen tater tots are other recipes you will love.
Bag of tater tots is actually is a life saver when you are tired. Potato tots are mini bite versions of hash browns which are extra crispy and crunchy.
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Why is it so popular?
Most people love potatoes even if they are dieting. These mini version of hash browns are perfect for a quick snack as they are mini bites. Only 3-4 frozen hash browns might fit in your basket depending on the size of air fryer this means multiple batches when more people are coming home.
Thus, serving crispy tater tots is better, whether it is a football match cricket or good old movie night when you have guests coming over.. Kids and adults both love it. Hence, it is a good option when you have guests coming over. Everyone eats it so no worries about picky eaters.
Air fried frozen tater tots are a great option when you have guests coming at short notice. They may be market based, but at least they are not fried. You don't even need extra vegetable oil to spray while making it Many brands are available in the market. .It is always cost effective to make it at home rather than buying it outside.
Air frying frozen tater tots helps you keep something ready as soon as guests turn up. Just preheat your air fryer before the party starts. By the time guests settle, your snack is ready. Serve hot with a chilled lemon soda or a masala chai depending on your weather.
Air fryer tator tots are advantageous in comparison to the deep-fried version of tater tots. One can relish the crunchy taste of tots without extra oil and calories. Air fried tater tots may be an excellent accompaniment to a dish such as tater tot casserole.
Ingredients
- Frozen tater tots
These ingredients have to be used straight from the freezer. Do not thaw them.
Equipment
- Air fryer (we use the ninja foodi op300 air fryer)
- oil spray
How to air fry frozen tater tots?
To create perfect air fryer tater tots, begin by preheating the air fryer to a high temperature and coating the basket with olive oil cooking spray. Distribute the tater tots in a single layer, shaking them gently to ensure they cook uniformly. Prepare the tots until they become a golden-brown, usually taking 10-15 minutes depending on the air fryer.
- In a preheated air fryer (200 deg C(390 F) for 10 mins). layer the tater tots in the air fryer basket.
- Air fry for12-14 mins at 200 deg C (390F).
- Optionally, spray oil at the last and cook for an additional minute to get these golden tater tots
Serve your crispiest tater tots immediately after giving shaking them in the basket or a bowl with or without condiments.
I must say frozen tater tots in ninja foodi actually give a good competition to restaurant ones.
Hint: Always keep your chimney on when using air fryer so that any fumes emitted are removed from the kitchen.
Cheesy tater tots
This is one variation that I like to make with cooked tater tots.
Just take a baking dish and add the cooked tater tots (following the above steps) in the baking dish.
Add grated cheese on top.Add any herbs on top, Optionally spray oil on top of these.
In a preheated air fryer ( 200C/390F for 5 minutes ), cook the loaded tater tots for 4-5 minutes
Serve warm
Variations
If you like your meal spicy, you may coat them in peri peri later or add some extra chilli flakes. You can also coat them with oregano or mint. Cheese tots, bbq tater tots, parmesan tater tots, onion tater tots, smoked tater tots and garlic tater tots are other variations.
Once your tater tots have been cooked, flavor them with a favorite seasonings, like seasoning salt or any preferred spices. To make tater tot nachos, you may add barbecue sauce and sour cream as a dipping sauce.
If you would like to switch things up from your usual potato side dish, try making sweet potato fries or tater puffs in an air fryer. You can sample different brands of tater tots to find your favorite.
Storage
Always eat it fresh. If you have something left over. Freeze or refrigerate it in an air tight plastic box. Air fry it before you serve.
Reheat tater tots in air fryer
You can use the air fryer to reheat tater tots in air fryer.Just preheat the air fryer 1t 200C/390F for 5 minutes and cook for 2 minutes.
Top tip
You do not need to brush or use an oil spray as they already have enough fat in it when commercially made.
Unused tater tots can be quickly cooked in an air fryer for a snack or accompaniment. Make sure you spread them evenly and give them a good jostle prior to air frying.
Related links
FAQ
No. It results in soggy dishes,which is such a let down.
Shake them in a bowl after cooking. You can even add condiments of your choice at this stage if you like to experiment with flavors. Peri-peri, mint, oregano all taste good.
Yes tater tots are called as potato gems in Australia.
Air fryer tater tots recipe | potato gems recipe
Equipment
- oil spray optional
Ingredients
- 250 gm frozen tater tots potato royale/potato gems
- Oil spray
For cheesy tater tots
- ½ cup cheese blend I prefer the mixed cheese blend for pizza or bakes.
- ½ teaspoon oregano flakes
Instructions
- Preheat the air fryer at 200 deg C (390 F) for 10 mins.
- Now layer the tater tots in the air fryer basket.
- Air fry for 12-14 mins at 200 deg C (390 F). Optionally, spray oil at the last and cook for an additional minute to get these golden tater tots
- Serve warm with tomato ketchup
Cheesy tater tots
- Just take a baking dish and add the cooked tater tots (following the above steps) in the baking dish.Add grated cheese on top
- Add any herbs on top, Optionally spray oil on top of these.In a preheated air fryer ( 200C/390F for 5 minutes ), cook the loaded tater tots for 4-5 minutes @200C/390F
Food safety
- Cook to a minimum temperature of 165 °F (74 °C)
- Don't leave food sitting out at room temperature for extended periods
- Never leave cooking food unattended
- Use oils with high smoking point to avoid harmful compounds
- Always have good ventilation when using a gas stove.
Conclusion
Generally, air fryer tater tots are an excellent side dish recipe to experiment with. The preparation is simple and requires only one component, with the ability to enhance the flavor with a variety of sauces and spices. Moreover, you can prepare a large quantity of tater tots faster than using the traditional deep frying method. So, get your small air fryer ready and make the perfect tater tots in no time.
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