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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.
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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.
- Grate the potatoes - the skin will fall off easily while you do this
- Place corn starch, garlic powder, onion powder, salt and pepper in a small bowl
- Mix well
- Place grated potatoes and seasoning in a larger bowl
- Use your hands to mix together the potatoes and seasoning. Work the dough like you would a bread dough, for about 1 minute.
- When the dough keeps together well, you're done
- Make the tots by taking a piece of dough and placing it in your hand. Squeeze it gently to create a tot.
- Repeat until you've made 25 tots and the dough is finished
- Place the tots in a bowl and pour over the oil
- Mix gently so that the tots keep their shape
- 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.
- 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 are tater tots?
Tater tots are made from grated potatoes that are mixed with flour or starch, seasoned, and then fried. They are crispy on the outside and soft and creamy on the inside - the inside is almost like mashed potatoes. They are vegan and often gluten free.
Are air fried tater tots healthy?
Air fried tater tots are healthier than deep fried tater tots, as you use less oil.
How do I cook frozen tater tots in air fryer?
If you prefer to use frozen tater tots you can cook them in the air fryer as well. Coat them with a little bit of oil, and then cook them in the air fryer for 15 minutes at 400°F (200°C). Remove the basket and shake them around every five minutes for an even cook.
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!
- Air Fryer Rib Eye
- Air Fryer Orange Chicken
- 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
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Recipe
Homemade Air Fryer Tater Tots
Print Pin RateServings: 2
Calories: 375kcal
Prep time: 12 mins
Cook time: 23 mins
Cooling time 15 minutes
Total time: 50 minutes
Ingredients
- 4 medium-sized potatoes
- ½ tablespoon corn starch
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon fine table salt
- ⅛ teaspoon fine ground black pepper
- 2 teaspoon vegetable oil
Instructions
- Boil the potatoes for 8 minutes, then pour off the water and set the potatoes aside to cool for at least 15 minutes4 medium-sized potatoes
- Grate the potatoes.
- Mix together corn starch, garlic powder, onion powder, salt and pepper in a small bowl.½ tablespoon corn starch, ½ teaspoon garlic powder, ½ teaspoon onion powder, ½ teaspoon fine table salt, ⅛ teaspoon fine ground black pepper
- Place grated potatoes and the mixed seasoning in a bowl and mix together. Use your hands and knead it like a dough for about 1 minute. When it holds together and resembles a dough, it's done.
- Divide the dough into 25 parts and create tots by grabbing a piece of dough and squeezing it gently in your hand. Use a tiny bit of water on your fingers to avoid the dough sticking to them. Repeat until you've made all the tots. Meanwhile, preheat the air fryer to 400°F (200°C).
- Place the tots in a bowl and pour over the oil. Mix gently to avoid breaking apart the tots.2 teaspoon vegetable oil
Air Fryer Instructions
- Place tots in a single layer in the air fryer basket and air fry at 400°F (200°C) for 15 minutes. Remove the basket every 5 minutes and shake gently to turn them.
- Serve immediately with your favorite dipping sauce!
Oven Instructions
- Place on a baking sheet lined with aluminium foil and bake in a preheated oven for 20 minutes at 400°F (200°C), turning them carefully halfway.
- Place on a paper towel to soak up any excess oil, then serve!
Equipment needed for this recipe
- Mixing bowl*
Video
Notes
2 servings of this recipe makes 25 tater tots.
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
Tips & tricks
- You don't have to peel the potatoes first - the skin will come off easily when you grate them
- To quickly cook the potatoes - cut them in smaller pieces and microwave for 2 minutes
- You can use a food processor to grate potatoes and mix with the seasoning
- Make the tots pretty even in size to help them cook evenly
- Dip your fingers in cold water before making the tots, to avoid the dough sticking to them. Repeat when the dough starts sticking again.
- 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.
- You can also bake them in the oven: place on a baking sheet lined with aluminium foil and bake for 20 minutes at 400°F (200°C). Carefully turn them after 10 minutes.
- 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
- Freeze leftovers to keep them for up to 3 months
- If you want to freeze the whole batch bake them for just 6-8 minutes per side, then freeze them individually before placing in plastic bags in the freezer
Nutrition
Calories: 375kcal | Carbohydrates: 77g | Protein: 9g | Fat: 4g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Sodium: 608mg | Potassium: 1809mg | Fiber: 10g | Sugar: 3g | Vitamin A: 9IU | Vitamin C: 84mg | Calcium: 55mg | Iron: 3mg
Nutritional information is approximate and automatically calculated, and should only be viewed as an indication.
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susan mccrodden
Can this recipe be made ahead and frozen for later use. How can this be made in a air fryer with racks not a basket?
Emmeline Kemperyd
Hi Susan, I haven't tried to make it ahead and freezing it - but I will definitely try that and report back! the cooking method will be the same for an air fryer with racks. As with all air fryers the cooking time can vary so keep an eye on them to make sure they're cooked just right. /Emmeline