This post may contain affiliate links. Please read our disclosure policy.
My go-to recipe for Air Fryer Tater Tots leaves them crispy on the outside, fluffy in the middle, finished with a soft layer of melted cheddar and a generous scatter of fresh parsley. I’ve never regretted making a batch. Not even when I eat them all by myself!
Tater tots in the air fryer come out crispier than the oven and with none of the oily cleanup from deep frying. And, they go from the freezer to the table in just 15 minutes. If you like tater tots, chances are good you also like fries. And, I’ve dialed in my air fryer frozen French fries with the same level of care. You can eat simply, and still eat well!
Air Fryer Tater Tots
The air fryer earned its real estate on my counter the day I started making fries in it. Tater tots followed shortly after, and once I tried adding a layer of fresh shredded cheddar in the last minute, this version has pretty much never left the rotation. Crispy spuds, melted cheese, fresh herbs? Yes, yes, and YES!
The texture is the reason I keep coming back to the air fryer. You simply can’t recreate this texture in the oven. And, you already know how much I adore roasting. These are crackly crispy all over because of the air flow.
Skip the cheese if it is not your thing and these crispy tots will still stand on their own. But, at my house the parsley still goes on, either way. The fresh herbs are the key to keeping a snack like this from feeling heavy.
Ingredients and Substitutions
Tater Tots – These are regular frozen tater tots, straight from the freezer. I am not brand loyal on tots. I am not brand loyal on tots. We almost always buy ours at Kroger.
Olive Oil Cooking Spray – Two light passes total: once over the tots before they go in the basket, and once again after the halfway shake. The spray gives more even coverage and uses less oil than tossing them in a bowl. I pretty much always have olive oil Pam on hand, and that’s what I use. But, any neutral cooking spray works.
Cheese – I like to mix my cheeses. So, I will usually do half and half, freshly shredded cheddar and Monterey Jack. My boys prefer it with Pepper Jack.
Italian Parsley – Please treat yourself to some fresh Italian parsley. The fresh herby notes against the backdrop of the rich cheese and hearty tots is what makes this dish. That said, you can skip it if you want. I’m not mad. I’ll just be sad for you.
Notes on Equipment
- Air Fryer – The air fryer has become my go-to appliance for so many quick and easy hot lunches. I’m partial to a square basket, as I find it easier to fit more food in it. This is a 5.8QT air fryer, one of the largest machines I’ve tested that still works effectively.
- Cooking spray or oil
- Box or rotary grater (and this one is a dream to work with!) It chews through all of our cheeses, fruits, vegetables, and nuts with ease, saving me a ton of prep time.
- Sharp knife and a cutting board (for the parsley)
How to Make Air Fryer Tater Tots
Preheating: Set the air fryer to 400°F and let it run for three minutes empty before the tots go in. Basket-style air fryers do better with a brief preheat.
Loading the Basket: I tip the frozen tater tots straight from the bag into the basket and arrange them in a single layer. A little overlap is fine, but a full second layer will keep them from crisping as well.
Spraying First: The goal is even coverage, not a heavy coat. So, you’ll just have to give the tots a light spray. Two seconds should be plenty for the whole basket.
Cooking: I let them air fry at 400°F for eight minutes. (Don’t forget to set a timer!) The tots will start to color and the basket will start to smell divine.
Shredding the Cheese: While the tots cook, you’ll want to shred the cheese. I use my rotary grater and just save the rest of the shredded block in a Ziploc in the refrigerator.
Shaking and Spraying: When the timer goes off, I pull the basket out and give it a good two-handed shake to redistribute the tots. Give them another quick spray with oil.
Cooking Again: You’ll need to pop the basket back in and fry for another 4 minutes. Air fryers vary by model, so start checking at three. The tots should come out deep golden brown and crispy at the edges.
Melting the Cheese: I sprinkle the freshly shredded cheddar evenly over the hot tots in the basket. Back into the air fryer for about a minute.
Serving: Transfer the cheesy tots to a serving plate or shallow bowl and scatter the chopped parsley across the top right away, while the cheese is still warm enough to grab onto it.
Expert Tip
Single layer is the only rule that really matters when it comes to air frying. You can get away with an occasional extra tot (or three). But, don’t pile in multiple layers of frozen tots. Crowded tots steam each other in their own moisture, and steamed tots come out soft no matter how long you run the timer. If your basket can’t hold the whole bag in one layer, do two rounds. Trust me. No one likes soft tots.
Always Start Frozen – Do not thaw the tots before they go in the basket. Frozen food releases moisture as it thaws, and the exterior of the food will absorb part of that water and be too moist. This recipe is written for frozen tots.
Two Sprays Are Better Than One – The second spray after the halfway shake is a small step that a lot of people skip. It matters. It helps ensure more complete coverage, giving every exterior edge a chance to crisp up.
Shred the Cheese Yourself – I have strong opinions on cheese. Pre-shredded cheese is coated with a starch that keeps it from clumping in the bag. And, it has its place. But not in this recipe. You’ll get a much smoother cheese melt with freshly shredded.
Serving Suggestions
These air fryer tater tots are a snack that turns into a moment as soon as you set them down on the table with my cheese sauce. I also like to dress mine up with a sprinkle of French fry seasoning for some extra personality.
If I’m making a full meal of it, I pair a basket of tots with a stack of taco quesadillas. Then, I just hand everyone a plate and call it dinner. Zero complaints.
Storage & Reheating
How to Store: Leftover cheesy tater tots keep in an airtight container in the fridge for several days. I don’t recommend re-freezing them.
How to Reheat: A few minutes in the air fryer will bring these tots most of the way back to their original glory. You can also use the microwave if you’re in a hurry, but the texture will be lacking.
More Air Fryer Recipes
- Baked Sweet Potato in the Air Fryer
- Air Fryer Red Potatoes
- Air Fryer Green Beans
- Air Fryer Chicken Fajitas
- Air Fryer Eggplant Parmesan
- Air Fryer Stuffed Peppers
Monterey Jack, Pepper Jack, a Mexican blend, mozzarella, or a fresh cheddar-jack mix all work. Just shred it yourself from a block.
No, you shouldn’t. Just pull the bag from the freezer, tip it into the basket and start the timer.
Yes. While I think cheese is a wonderful addition, the crispy tots are good on their own. Just skip the cheese melt step, and scatter the parsley on top. Please don’t skip the parsley. Trust me on that.
Air Fryer Tater Tots
Ingredients
- 24 ounces frozen tater tots
- olive oil cooking spray
- 1 cup freshly shredded cheddar cheese Monterey jack cheese, Pepper jack cheese, or the fresh cheese blend of your choice
- 2 tablespoons fresh Italian parsley chopped small
Instructions
- Preheat the air fryer to 400°F. Place the tater tots in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Spray them lightly with olive oil spray. Shake the basket and spray again.
- Air fry for 8 minutes. Shake the basket well and cook for an additional 4 minutes. Sprinkle with cheese and bake an additional 60-90 seconds, just long enough to melt the cheese. Sprinkle with parsley and serve immediately.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
