Air Fryer Tater Tots

How to air fry tater tots (from frozen) in just 12 minutes with NO OIL! These frozen air fryer tater tots are fuss-free, require just 2 ingredients, and are wonderfully crispy outside and tender in the middle!

Oil-Free Crispy Air Fryer Tater Tots (From Frozen)

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• Oil-Free Crispy Air Fryer Tater Tots (From Frozen)
• What are Tater Tots?
• The Ingredients
• How to Air Fry Tater Tots?
• Serving Recommendations
• FAQs
• Top Recipe Tips and Notes
• More Air Fryer Recipes
• Air Fryer Tater Tots

It’s a sad truth that often, the deep-fried version of foods is far superior to other cooking methods. Until the Air Fryer came along to challenge that theory, that is. Air fryers cook in a fraction of the time needed to oven bake, with minimal (if any) oil or hands-on effort, but providing results that give the deep fryer a run for its money. Like with these crispy air fryer tater tots. 

While I won’t pretend these air fryer frozen tater tots taste EXACTLY the same as they would when deep-fried (after all, I made these completely oil-free!), they are amazingly crispy and crunchy outside with a melt-in-the-mouth middle. It has quickly become my favorite way to cook them. No more limp/ soggy baked tots for me!

What are Tater Tots?

Delicious! No, but seriously—tater tots are a popular side dish for any potato lover. They are made with grated potatoes formed into tiny tots and then deep-fried until golden-brown and crisp on the outside with a tender middle. They are also naturally vegan (yay!). 

While, for most of us, we now rely on baking them from frozen for ‘okay’ results. You don’t have to settle for just ‘ok’… not when air fryer tater tots create such superior results!

The Ingredients

• Tater tots: Use your preferred bag of frozen tater tots (sometimes labeled potato puffs), like Ore-Ida or Alexia brands. Organic will be the healthiest.
• Herbs (optional): To boost the flavor of the tots, I love adding ½ tablespoon of chopped rosemary or parsley. 

I’ve found that I love the results of these air-fried tater tots without any oil at all. However, if you want even crispier results, a light spritz of olive oil spray/cooking spray should be more than enough. 

Optional Seasonings

Like regular potato fries, there are tons of ways to adapt the seasoning of these tots to match your meal (or cravings). Here are just a few options.

I recommend using around 1 teaspoon in total either of a single seasoning or blend of spices for the crispy tater tots. Add salt to taste. 

• Salt & black pepper
• Seasoned salt
• Smoked paprika
• Onion powder
• Garlic powder
• Chili/Cayenne powder
• Old Bay seasoning
• Italian seasoning
• Cajun seasoning
• Taco seasoning
• Tajin

You could also make 'cheesy' air fryer tater tots by sprinkling the tots with your favorite vegan melty cheese once they’re ready, closing the air fryer for 2-3 minutes until it’s melted.  

How to Air Fry Tater Tots?

It’s practically effortless to air fry frozen tater tots and requires just three steps!

1) First, preheat the air fryer to 400F/205C. 

2) Then, spread the frozen tater tots in the air fryer basket in a single layer. Slight touching is okay, but they’ll be even better when arranged with space in between. 

3) Cook for 6 minutes, then pause and shake the basket, add the fresh herbs (if using), and cook for a further 6 minutes. 

If you’d like even crispier air fryer frozen tater tots, continue to air fry in 1-minute increments until you reach your desired texture. Then serve immediately with the condiment/s of your choice! 

Serving Recommendations

I enjoy these air-fried tots like french fries. i.e., either fully loaded or with my favorite dipping sauce (ketchup, vegan mayo, vegan ranch, vegan sour cream, BBQ sauce, sriracha, vegan buffalo sauce, vegan queso/cheese sauce, etc.)

When I’m feeling particularly hungry (or as a vegan game day appetizer/snack), I love to load them up like nachos with salsa, guacamole, and melty vegan cheese—yummy!

Plus, this all-purpose potato side dish pairs with so many meals! Burgers, sandwiches, wraps, tacos, salad, chili, to top casseroles, and more!

FAQs

Top Recipe Tips and Notes

• Don’t skip the preheating: This will ensure that the air fryer frozen tater tots cook evenly. 
• For the crispiest results: Use a light spray of olive oil or cooking spray. This will provide more of a ‘deep-fried result.’ However, even without oil, they are wonderfully crispy. 
• Cooking time can vary: Times vary according to the size and type of your air fryer (basket vs. air fryer vs. rotating) as well as the tater tots used. I recommend checking on them at 10 minutes to begin and adjusting the time accordingly. 
• Don’t overcrowd the basket: Otherwise, the tater tots won’t become crispy. This is even more important when omitting all oil! While they can touch, it’s best to make them in a single layer with some space between. Cook in batches if necessary and then chuck them all back into the air fryer for 1-2 minutes at the end to reheat before serving (if necessary). 
• Enjoy immediately: These tots taste best when fresh from the air fryer and super crispy!

More Air Fryer Recipes

• Air Fryer Butternut Squash [Cubes + Halves]

If you try this method for air fryer frozen tater tots, I’d love to know what you think in the comments below. I’d also really appreciate a recipe card rating!

Photos by Alfonso Revilla