Air Fryer Tater Tots (homemade!)

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Homemade Air Fryer Tater Tots are easy to make, loaded with amazing taste and healthier with just a little bit of oil. Seasoned with garlic & onion powder, salt & pepper they come out crispy on the outside and soft and creamy on the inside.

Jump to:

• Why you will love this recipe
• What you need to make them
• How to make them
• Tips & tricks
• Recipe FAQ
• What to serve with them
• More great air fryer recipes
• Recipe

Why you will love this recipe

• It's easy - not as easy as frozen tots, but almost
• It's pretty quick with just 10 minutes of active cooking
• It's cheap and made with pantry staples
• They're so delicious seasoned with garlic and onion powder
• They come out crispy on the outside and soft on the inside - just like how a tater tot should be!

What you need to make them

Ingredient notes & substitutions

• Potatoes - any kind works, but Yukon Gold, Russet and King Edward make the best tots in my opinion
• Vegetable oil - any neutral variety works great, I always use rapeseed oil
• Corn starch can be swapped for potato starch
• Seasonings can be adjusted to suit your taste - for example, you can double the amount of black pepper for a more peppery version

How to make them

To make homemade air fryer tater tots you will need half-boiled potatoes. To achieve this, boil them (peeling optional) for 8 minutes. Then drain the water, and set the potatoes aside to cool for at least 15 minutes.

1. Grate the potatoes - the skin will fall off easily while you do this
2. Place corn starch, garlic powder, onion powder, salt and pepper in a small bowl
3. Mix well
4. Place grated potatoes and seasoning in a larger bowl

5. Use your hands to mix together the potatoes and seasoning. Work the dough like you would a bread dough, for about 1 minute.
6. When the dough keeps together well, you're done
7. Make the tots by taking a piece of dough and placing it in your hand. Squeeze it gently to create a tot.
8. Repeat until you've made 25 tots and the dough is finished

9. Place the tots in a bowl and pour over the oil
10. Mix gently so that the tots keep their shape
11. Place the tots in a single layer in a preheated air fryer basket, and air fry for 15 minutes at 400°F (200°C). Remove the basket every 5 minutes and shake it gently to turn the tots.
12. Serve immediately!

Tips & tricks

• You don't have to peel the potatoes first - the skin will come off easily when you grate them
• Make the tots pretty even in size to help them cook evenly
• Dip your fingers in water before making the tots, to avoid the dough sticking to them. Repeat when the dough starts sticking again.
• Preheat the air fryer for best results. Do this by running it with an empty basket for 5 minutes at 400°F (200°C). This helps make really crispy tater tots.
• Air fry in a single layer for an even cook. I have a small air fryer where 2 servings of this recipe fits perfectly in one layer, but if you want to double the recipe you might need to fry them in batches.
• Serve them immediately as they will loose their crisp quickly
• Store leftovers in the fridge in an airtight container for up to 4 days
• Heat leftovers in the air fryer for 5 minutes at 350°F (180°C) (shake once halfway) or fry them in some butter in a pan

Recipe FAQ

What to serve with them

I love these air fryer tater tots as a snack on their own or as a side for meat. Here are some of my favorite things to serve alongside them:

• Feta Stuffed Chicken
• Baked Chicken Tenders
• Duck with Orange Sauce
• Blue Cheese Sauce
• Guacamole
• Chipotle Ranch
• Tyrosalata (Whipped Feta)

More great air fryer recipes

Love cooking in your air fryer? Then you will love these recipes!

• Brussels Sprouts with Bacon
• Air Fryer Meatballs
• Air Fryer Tortilla Chips
• Air Fryer Potato Wedges
• How to Cook Frozen Spring Rolls in Air Fryer
• Air Fryer Sweet Potatoes with Cinnamon

Recipe