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Super Crispy Air Fryer Tater Tots

A close-up pile of golden brown, crispy air fryer tater tots stacked on a white plate.

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Follow this simple method for cooking frozen tater tots in your air fryer to achieve a perfectly crispy exterior and fluffy interior every time. This is the best way to cook tater tots in an air fryer for a quick side dish.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 bag (about 28 ounces) frozen tater tots
  • 1 teaspoon vegetable oil (optional, for extra crispiness)

Instructions

  1. Place the frozen tater tots in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Do not overcrowd the basket; cook in batches if necessary to maintain crispiness.
  2. If using oil, lightly spray or toss the tots with 1 teaspoon of oil. This step is optional if you want no oil air fryer tater tots.
  3. Set the air fryer temperature to 400 degrees Fahrenheit (200 degrees Celsius). This is the best temperature for crispy air fryer tater tots.
  4. Cook for 12 to 15 minutes.
  5. Shake the basket vigorously halfway through the cooking time (around the 7-minute mark) to ensure even browning.
  6. Continue cooking until the tots are golden brown and crisp.
  7. Remove immediately and serve hot with your favorite dip.

Notes

  • For homemade tater tots air fryer instructions, cook at 375 degrees Fahrenheit for 18 to 20 minutes, shaking every 5 minutes.
  • To prevent sticking, you can use air fryer basket liner tips, such as parchment paper designed for air fryers, but ensure the paper does not cover the entire bottom to allow air circulation.
  • For the crispiest results, avoid overcrowding the basket.

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