How to Make Perfect Tater Tots in the Air Fryer

Air Fryer Tater Tots

A plate filled with crispy, golden tater tots is shown. A small white bowl of red ketchup is placed on the plate for dipping. The background is a light, neutral color.

Air Fryer Tater Tots, you golden crispy pillows of delight! Tots take minutes to make in the air fryer and are perfect for dipping, smothering, and snacking.

A plate filled with crispy, golden tater tots is shown. A small white bowl of red ketchup is placed on the plate for dipping. The background is a light, neutral color.

Use the air fryer for maximum tot deliciousness.

cookbook author erin clarke of well plated

Like my post on Air Fryer Frozen French Fries, we’re not making the tater tots from scratch here. (Although if you do have time: Homemade Tater Tots.)

We’re buying frozen tots. Cooking ‘em up in the air fryer. Magic.

Basically, if you’ve looked longingly at the tater tots in your freezer and wondered, “Can I make these in the air fryer?” this is the post for you. Or if you’ve pondered what temperature is best or how long to air fry the tater tots, this post is for you too.

Once you give these a try, you will never cook your tater tots in the oven again. (Except for Tater Tot Breakfast Casserole.)

Tater tots are inside an air fryer basket, partially frozen and covered with a light layer of frost. The air fryer sits on a light-colored, textured surface.

Do I Need to Add Oil?

Frozen tater tots already have a thin layer of oil on the outside, which is why they don’t stick to the baking sheet when they’re in the oven, so I do not toss them in oil before air frying, but I do give them a spritz of nonstick spray, which enhances the crispy factor. 

What Else Can I Add to Make These Tater Tots Delicious?

I like to add seasoning salt too, but here it’s important to know your tots! Some brands are pretty salty to begin with, so you won’t want to add more salt, but you can add seasonings. Add any seasonings after coating with nonstick spray so they stick. Here are some ideas:

  • Smoked paprika
  • Taco seasoning
  • Dried herbs (before cooking) or fresh herbs (after)
  • Grated Parmesan cheese
  • Chili powder
  • Cajun seasoning—if you like spicy!
  • Old Bay seasoning
Golden brown tater tots fill an air fryer basket, evenly spaced and crisp.

What to Serve With Air Fryer Tater Tots

We love these air fryer tater tots for snacking—they’re pretty much the ideal TV watching snack if you ask me. Here are some more ideas:

  • Sauces. Ketchup is a classic, but you can’t go wrong with Greek Yogurt Ranch Dip either.
  • Burgers. Serve your tater tots alongside a Smash Burger for a so-much-better-than-fast-food dinner.
  • Chicken. Sometimes you just want your dinner to be shades of brown (AKA the color of comfort food), in which case these Chicken Nuggets have you covered.

More Recipes for Those Who Love Snacking and Air Fryers

  • These Air Fryer Spicy Dill Pickle Chips are the ideal snack for those times when you just can’t decide between pickles and potato chips.
  • No game day spread is complete without Air Fryer Chicken Wings, which crisp up to perfection in the air fryer.
  • Looking for something a little healthier? I’ve got you: try my Air Fryer Chickpeas.
A plate filled with crispy, golden tater tots is shown. A small white bowl of red ketchup is placed on the plate for dipping. The background is a light, neutral color.
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Air Fryer Tater Tots

These air fryer tater tots are the crispiest ever! I share my tried-and-true method to make sure your tots are terrific.
Course Appetizer, Side Dish, Snack
Cuisine American
Prep Time 1 minute
Cook Time 12 minutes
Total Time 13 minutes
Servings 4 servings
Calories 212kcal
Author Erin Clarke / Well Plated

Ingredients

  • 1 pound frozen tater tots I used Ore Ida
  • Nonstick cooking spray
  • 1 teaspoon seasoning salt optional
  • Ketchup or your dipping sauce of choice optional for serving

Instructions

  • Place the frozen tots in the air fryer basket (depending upon the size, you'll likely have overlap).
    Tater tots are inside an air fryer basket, partially frozen and covered with a light layer of frost. The air fryer sits on a light-colored, textured surface.
  • Coat the top with nonstick spray, sprinkle with 1/2 teaspoon of the seasoning salt (if using), then give the basket a few good shakes. Spray once more, then sprinkle on the remaining 1/2 teaspoon seasoning salt and shake again.
  • Air fryer frozen tater tots at 400°F for 11 to 14 minutes, shaking the basket a few times throughout, until they are golden and crisped to your liking (we like ours pretty crispy). Check regularly towards the end to ensure they don't overcook.
    Golden brown tater tots inside an air fryer basket on a light textured surface.
  • Serve hot, with ketchup or your dipping sauce of choice

Notes

The exact nutritional information will depend on the brand of tater tots you use.

Nutrition

Serving: 1(of 4) | Calories: 212kcal | Carbohydrates: 30g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 10g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 4g | Monounsaturated Fat: 4g | Potassium: 295mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 0.3g | Vitamin A: 5IU | Vitamin C: 8mg | Calcium: 16mg | Iron: 1mg