Air Fryer Tater Tots

Crispy outside and fluffy inside, this is how to make tater tots in the air fryer. Air fryer tater tots are a healthy recipe for delicious snacks, side dishes or appetizers that everyone will love.

Dust off your air fryer because it’s time to make tater tots, the ultimate comfort food that is healthy and delicious. A simple crowd-pleaser recipe for any occasion.

Why you will love air fryer tater tots?

Here at home, these potato nuggets did not last long. After air frying, I barely had the time to take the pictures that they were swapped away in a matter of seconds. We all loved these tater tots, and I’m pretty sure you will love them too. Let me give you four reasons why.

• Healthy recipe. As they are made in the air fryer with little oil, these tater tots are healthier and lower in calories that the traditional. What is more, potatoes are an excellent source of nutrients such as vitamin C, potassium, and dietary fiber. 
• Simple to make. Making healthy tater tots in the air fryer is a cake walk, anyone can do it.
• Finger-lickingly delicious. Nicely crispy in the outside and fluffy in the inside, my healthy tater tots are seasoned to the perfection. Everyone will love this recipe, kids and picky eaters included.
• Versatile recipe. Air fryer tater tots come in very handy for many occasions: side dishes, snacks, appetizers and even breakfasts.

The ingredients

This recipe is pretty simple. It only requires a handful of common household ingredients that you probably already have on hand. And don’t worry if something is missing, in the next lines you are going to find plenty of substitute options.

• Russet potatoes: For crispy tater tots, this recipe recommends starchy potatoes. I used Russet potatoes, but also Yukon potatoes or red potatoes work great. As a healthier and more nutritious option, you can use sweet potatoes.
• All purpose flour: the flour helps bind the mixture and improves the texture of your tater tots. If you prefer, replace with whole wheat flour, oat flour, almond flour or gluten-free alternatives.
• Olive oil: I like extra virgin olive oil, but you can replace with any other oil. Great options are avocado oil, seed oil or walnut oil. 
• Seasonings: Sea salt, black pepper, garlic powder and onion powder were my seasonings of choice. If you want, feel free to flavor your potato nuggets with additional herbs, such as Italian seasoning.
• Cooking spray: I used olive oil spray, but any kind of cooking spray is fine.

What potatoes for tater tots?

The choice of the right type of potato is key in making tater tots that are crispy and tasty. It is important to choose starchy potatoes with lower water contents. Here are some great options:

• Russet potatoes: These are the best potatoes because they contain more starch and therefore come out tasty and nicely crispy when air fried.
• Yukon gold potatoes: This variety has a creamier buttery inside while still remaining crispy in the outside.
• Red potatoes: Although not as good as the previous varieties, red potatoes can also be utilized. However, your tater tots will be slightly softer and less crispy.
• Sweet potatoes: A healthier and more flavorful alternative, sweet potatoes are also great.

Recipe variations

As it is quite simple, this recipe leaves plenty of room for your creativity. With mozzarella, bacon or extra seasonings, here are some extra ingredients that you can add to homemade tater tots.

• Shredded cheese
• Mozzarella
• Parmesan cheese
• Cooked bacon
• Spicy seasonings
• Chopped onions
• Finely diced carrots
• Green peas

How to make air fryer tater tots?

Step 1: Prepare the potatoes

First of all, wash the potatoes thoroughly and peel them. Transfer to a large pot and cover with cold water, then turn on the heat and cook for about 6 minutes. They should only be half cooked, or the tater tots won’t come out as crispy. After cooking, drain and let cool at room temperature.

Using a grater or a food processor with a grating attachment, shred the potatoes. For crispy air fryer tater tots, place the shredded potatoes in a clean kitchen towel or cheesecloth and squeeze out any excess moisture.

Step 2: Make healthy tater tots

In a large bowl, combine the shredded potatoes with flour, olive oil, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and black pepper. Mix well until the potatoes are evenly coated with the seasoning.

Take a small handful of the mixture and shape it into a tater tot; repeat until the end. Place the tater tots into the preheated air fryer basket in a single layer, making sure to not overcrowd the basket. This is necessary otherwise they won’t cook through and come out crispy. If it is necessary, you should air fry in batches.

Step 3: Air fry tater tots

Spray the healthy tater tots with olive oil or cooking spray and then cook at 390°F (200°C) in hot air fryer for 10 -15 minutes, flipping halfway through. Once the tater tots are golden brown and crispy, remove from the air fryer and let cool for a few minutes before serving. Enjoy with your favorite dipping sauce.

Serving ideas

Alongside burgers or for breakfast, the ways how you can serve air fryer tater tots are endless. And if you need inspiration, here are some ideas for you.

• As appetizer or snack: Serve alongside a dipping sauce such as aioli, mayonnaise, ketchup, salsa, guacamole or a homemade buffalo dip.
• As side dish: Enjoy alongside burgers, sandwiches, or grilled chicken as a healthier alternative to French fries.
• For breakfast: Make a savory breakfast plate by combining air fryer tater tots with eggs, sausages, sautéd onions, bell peppers, and bacon.
• For tater tot casserole: Layer the tater tots with cooked ground beef, vegetables, shredded cheese and your favorite sauce, then bake until golden brown. 
• As nachos: Arrange the air fried tater tots on a baking sheet and top with shredded cheese, black beans, diced tomatoes, sliced jalapeños, and olives. Bake until the cheese has melted before serving with salsa and sour cream.

How to store homemade tater tots

If you have any, leftovers can be stored in the fridge or in the freezer. For the best storage, allow the air fried tater tots to cool completely at room temperature first. This step helps prevent condensation, which can make them soggy.

• Fridge. Once they have cooled, line in an airtight container in single layers, spacing each layer with parchment paper if you stack them. Make sure you seal the container tightly so that the nuggets do not go bad or get soggy. Store in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
• Freezer. To freeze leftover tater tots, place in a freezer-safe container or zipper bag, separating each layer with parchment paper if stacked. Keep in the freezer for up to 3 months.

When you are ready to eat, remove from the fridge or refrigerator and reheat in hot air fryer or oven until crispy. No need to thaw them ahead! As an alternative you can also use the microwave, but they will get slightly soggy.

Tips for homemade tater tots

Here are some tips on how to make tater tots in the air fryer.

• Choose your potato wisely. As the starch and water content changes, not all potatoes are good for tater tots. For crispy tater tots, opt for starchy varieties such as Russet potatoes, Yukon golden potatoes or even sweet potatoes.
• Do not overcook the potatoes. Before shredding, the potatoes need to be quickly cooked. But not completely. You should only boil them until half cooked, or they will absorb too much water.
• Be creative with seasonings. Experiment with your favorite seasonings and change the flavor profile of your potato tots.
• Spray with olive oil before cooking. For extra crispness, save some of the olive oil and brush or spray all over the tater tots before air frying. 
• Do not overcrowd the air fryer. When placing tater tots in the air fryer basket, line in a single layer, spacing the nuggets apart. It’s better to work in small batches.
• Serve warm. Healthy tater tots taste better when they are still warm, straight out of the air fryer.

More air fryer recipes

• Air frier salmon bites
• Zucchini fries in the air fryer
• Chickpea nuggets
• Low calorie chicken tenders