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    Home » Recipes » Air Fryer Recipes

    Homemade Tater Tots (Air Fryer)

    Published: May 25, 2022 · Modified: May 25, 2022 by Uma Raghupathi · This post may contain affiliate links · This blog generates income via ads · 7 Comments

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    Jump to Recipe
    A little hand is dipping tater tots into ketchup.

    Do you love french fries but hate the part that it is deep-fried?

    Here are an easy, homemade tater tots air fryer recipe that gives us the best part of fries without any deep frying.

    A plate of homemade tater tots are on the table with ketchup. this recipe

    With simple ingredients and simple steps, these golden-brown, crispy air fryer tots are just what you need as a quick snack or as a perfect side dish for a vegan burger.

    Homemade tater tots are perfect as-is, but you can also add your favorite seasonings for a flavor boost.

    Plus, they’re made in the air fryer so they’re quick and easy to make. Serve them at your next get-together and watch them disappear!

    Jump to:
    • Why this recipe works
    • What are tater tots?
    • Ingredients
    • Instructions
    • Storage
    • Recipe FAQs
    • Tips
    • You might also like
    • 📖 Recipe

    Why this recipe works

    These tater tots are made in the air fryer so they’re nice and crispy yet use very little oil.

    You can add your favorite seasonings to them for a flavor boost. These homemade tots pair very well with tomato ketchup, vegan sour cream, barbecue sauce, and even buffalo sauce.

    The best part about this homemade version is that these air fryer tots are made without cornstarch.

    They’re quick and easy to make, which makes them perfect for a busy weeknight.

    Homemade tater tots are delicious when they’re made in the air fryer! because they come out crispy and golden brown.

    You can serve them plain or add your favorite seasonings for a flavor boost. Either way, they’re sure to be a hit!

    These homemade air fryer tater tots are better than deep-fried ones without all the extra calories and fat. If you’re looking for an easy side dish, these tater tots are the perfect solution.

    What are tater tots?

    Tater Tots are made from shredded potatoes that are molded into a cylindrical shape before air frying them. They were created in the 1950s as a way to use up leftover mashed potatoes.

    But they can also be baked or air fried. Tater tots are small with an oval shape and crispy outer layer.

    Ingredients

    homemade tater tots ingredients are on the table.
    • Potatoes: I used Russet potatoes because they’re nice and starchy. This helps to make them crispy on the outside while still being soft on the inside. Russet potatoes give the best results in getting the crispiest tater tots.
    • Pepper: I like to add a little bit of pepper to my tater tots for some extra flavor. Besides the spicy note, it gives a lot of flavors to otherwise bland potatoes.
    • Salt: You’ll need some salt to season the potatoes.
    • Cooking spray: To keep the tater tots from sticking to each other and the air fryer basket, you are better off using a little bit of olive oil spray.
    • Onion and garlic powder: These seasonings are optional, but they add a nice flavor to the tater tots.

    See all the details of the recipe and the ingredients list on the recipe card!

    Instructions

    Potatoes are placed inside the instant pot.

    First, wash the russet potatoes and cook them in an instant pot with a cooking time of just 3 minutes or until the potatoes are just partially cooked.

    If you prefer cooking them on a stovetop, place the potatoes in a large pot, and cover them with water. Bring to boil, reduce the heat to medium, and cook for 6-8 minutes until the potatoes are partially cooked.

    Drain potatoes and let them cool to room temperature.

    Preheat your air fryer to 400 degrees F.

    While the air fryer is preheating, remove the skin from the potatoes.

    A man is grating potatoes using grater.

    Then, grate the partially cooked potatoes using a cheese grater or food processor.

    A bowl is with grated potatoes, and spices.

    In a large bowl, mix together the grated potatoes, salt, pepper, garlic powder, and onion powder (Optional).

    A plate is with cylinder shaped tater tots.

    Scoop about 1 tablespoon of the mixture and shape it into a small cylinder. Repeat with the remaining potato mixture. If the potato mixture is sticking to your hands, wet your hands with water and continue making the tots.

    Spray the air fryer basket with cooking spray.

    Air fryer basket is with tater tots.

    Place the tater tots in the air fryer basket, making sure they’re not touching each other.

    Air fry for 15 minutes or until golden brown and crispy, flipping them halfway through.

    Close up of air fried homemade tater tots.

    At the end of the timer, place the tots on a paper towel or a wire rack to let them cool.

    Serve immediately with a side of ketchup or your favorite dipping sauce. Enjoy air fryer homemade tater tots!

    Storage

    These air fryer tater tots can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to four days. Reheat them in the air fryer or oven before serving.

    Recipe FAQs

    What kind of potatoes are best for tater tots?

    like to use russet potatoes because they’re nice and starchy. That's the best way to get them crispy on the outside while still being soft on the inside. You can also use Yukon gold or red potatoes.

    Do I need to peel the potatoes?

    No, you don’t need to peel the potatoes. I actually think it’s easier to leave the skin on and just grate them. But if you prefer, you can peel them before grating.

    How do you cook tater tots from frozen in the air fryer?

    To cook tater tots from frozen in the air fryer, preheat the air fryer to 400 degrees F.
    Then, place the frozen tater tots in a single layer on the air fryer basket and cook for 18-20 minutes or until golden brown and crispy, flipping them halfway through.
    Serve immediately with ketchup or your favorite dipping sauce.

    Tips

    • If your air fryer is small you will have to cook the tater tots in batches.
    • Place these tater tots in a single layer on the air fryer basket, so they cook evenly. If they are touching each other they will not get as crispy.
    • If you want extra crispy tater tots, you can spray them with a little bit of cooking spray before air frying.
    • To make ahead, shape the tater tots and place them on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Freeze for at least two hours or overnight. When you’re ready to cook them, there’s no need to thaw them first – just add a few minutes to the air frying time.
    • You can also bake these tater tots in a 400 degree F oven for 20-25 minutes, flipping them halfway through.
    • With a few extra steps, this recipe can also be used to prepare tater puffs or potato puffs. You just need more seasonings and pastry sheets to pack the potatoes into.
    A plate of homemade tater tots are on the table with ketchup on side.

    You might also like

    • Air Fryer Sweet Potato Wedges
    • Air Fryer Sweet Potato Cubes
    • Air Fryer Frozen Broccoli
    • Air Fryer Baby Carrots
    • Spicy Potato Curry
    • Air Fryer Potato Cubes
    • Air Fryer Apple Turnovers
    • Air Fryer Sweet Potato Wedges
    • Buffalo Tofu Air Fryer

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    📖 Recipe

    A plate is filled with air fryer tater tots and with ketchup.

    Homemade Tater Tots (Air Fryer)

    Uma Raghupathi
    Here are an easy, homemade tater tots air fryer recipe that gives us the best part of fries without any deep frying.
    5 from 18 votes
    Print Recipe
    Prep Time:10 mins
    Cook Time:25 mins
    Total Time:35 mins
    Course :Appetizer, Side Dish
    Cuisine :American
    Diet :Vegan
    Allergen :Dairy free, Gluten free
    Difficulty :Easy
    Servings 5
    Calories 173 kcal

    Equipment

    • Air Fryer

    Ingredients
     
     

    • 2 lb russet potatoes
    • 2 teaspoon onion powder - or dried minced
    • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
    • 1 teaspoon black pepper powder
    • 1 teaspoon himalayan pink salt
    • 1 tablespoon olive oil - or cooking spray
    Prevent your screen from going dark

    Instructions
     

    • First, wash the russet potatoes and cook them in an instant pot with a cooking time of just 3 minutes or until the potatoes are just partially cooked.
      2 lb russet potatoes
    • If you prefer cooking them on a stovetop, place the potatoes in a large pot, and cover them with water. Bring to boil, reduce the heat to medium, and cook for 6-8 minutes until the potatoes are partially cooked.
    • Drain potatoes and let them cool to room temperature.
    • Preheat your air fryer to 400 degrees F.
    • While the air fryer is preheating, remove the skin from the potatoes. (check above for step-by-step pictures)
    • Then, grate the partially cooked potatoes using a cheese grater or food processor.
    • In a large bowl, mix together the grated potatoes, salt, pepper, garlic powder, and onion powder (Optional).
      2 teaspoon onion powder, 1 teaspoon garlic powder, 1 teaspoon black pepper powder, 1 teaspoon himalayan pink salt
    • Scoop about 1 tablespoon of the mixture and shape it into a small cylinder. Repeat with the remaining potato mixture. If the potato mixture is sticking to your hands, wet your hands with water and continue making the tots. (check above for step-by-step pictures)
    • Spray the air fryer basket with cooking spray.
      1 tablespoon olive oil
    • Place the tater tots in the air fryer basket, making sure they’re not touching each other.
    • Air fry for 15 minutes or until golden brown and crispy, flipping them halfway through.
    • At the end of the timer, place the tots on a paper towel or a wire rack to let them cool.
    • Serve immediately with a side of ketchup or your favorite dipping sauce. Enjoy!

    Notes

    • If your air fryer is small you will have to cook the tater tots in batches.
    • Place these tater tots in a single layer on the air fryer basket, so they cook evenly. If they are touching each other they will not get as crispy.
    • If you want extra crispy tater tots, you can spray them with a little bit of cooking spray before air frying.
    • To make ahead, shape the tater tots and place them on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Freeze for at least two hours or overnight. When you’re ready to cook them, there’s no need to thaw them first – just add a few minutes to the air frying time.
    • You can also bake these tater tots in a 400 degree F oven for 20-25 minutes, flipping them halfway through.
    • With a few extra steps, this recipe can also be used to prepare tater puffs or potato puffs. You just need more seasonings and pastry sheets to pack the potatoes into.

    YOUR OWN NOTES

    Click here to add your own private notes.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 173kcal | Carbohydrates: 34g | Protein: 4g | Fat: 3g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 2g | Sodium: 475mg | Potassium: 772mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 2IU | Vitamin C: 11mg | Calcium: 27mg | Iron: 2mg

    Nutritional information is an estimation only.

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Sharon

      May 27, 2022 at 3:11 pm

      These tater tots come together perfectly and cook evenly until crispy in the air fryer. So good!5 stars

      Reply
    2. veenaazmanov

      May 27, 2022 at 9:39 am

      Simple and yet so tasty. Air fryer cooking sounds healthy too.5 stars

      Reply
    3. mikayla

      May 26, 2022 at 12:38 pm

      We floowed your recipe and came away with great homemade tots, we opted to make them into a appetizer with cheese, fresh green onions, bacon and sour cream.5 stars

      Reply
    4. Sophia

      May 26, 2022 at 8:55 am

      This was such a fun recipe to make! I had my kids help shape the tater tots, they loved helping out!5 stars

      Reply
    5. carl

      May 26, 2022 at 6:39 am

      sounds good , just donnot label salt as pink salt , ( I realize you mean himalayan salt) but pink salt also means a curing salt number 1.

      Reply
      • Uma Raghupathi

        May 26, 2022 at 10:28 am

        Thanks carl, I have no idea there is another type of pink salt. I will update that.

        Reply
    6. Peter

      May 26, 2022 at 4:40 am

      This is exactly what I needed. I was looking for a healthier tater tot, and had no idea you could make them from scratch! So good!!5 stars

      Reply

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