Air fryer Ore Ida tater tots deliver that perfect golden-brown crunch in just 15 minutes! These crispy potato bites bring the classic comfort food experience right to your kitchen – with less oil and mess than deep frying. Whether you’re serving them as a quick side dish or a crowd-pleasing appetizer, these tots come out consistently hot, crispy on the outside, and fluffy on the inside. The best part? You only need 1 minute of prep time to create this irresistible snack that both kids and adults love.
Ingredients
- Ore Ida Tater Tots: 16 ounces (half bag) of frozen tots, perfect for air frying
- Olive Oil Spray: A light coating for optimal crispiness
- Salt: ½ teaspoon table salt for seasoning
Instructions
- Preheat: Set air fryer to 400°F/200°C and preheat for 5 minutes until ready
- Prepare Tots: Place frozen tater tots in air fryer basket and spray lightly with olive oil, giving them a gentle shake for even coating
- Initial Cooking: Air fry at 400°F/200°C for 10 minutes to start the cooking process
- Mid-Cook Shake: Give the basket a good shake to ensure even cooking
- Final Cooking: Continue cooking for 5-8 minutes until they reach your desired level of crispiness
- Season & Serve: Sprinkle with salt, shake to distribute evenly, and serve immediately while hot and crispy
Cooking Tips for Perfect Air Fryer Tots
Want extra crispy tater tots? Don’t overcrowd your air fryer basket – spread them out in a single layer with a bit of space between each tot. If you’re cooking more than one layer, they might need an extra shake or two during cooking. The olive oil spray helps create that golden-brown coating, but a light touch is all you need!
Easy Variations
Love spicing things up? Try adding garlic powder, paprika, or ranch seasoning right after cooking while they’re still hot. For cheese lovers, sprinkle some grated parmesan or cheddar on the tots during the last 2 minutes of cooking. You can also swap the olive oil spray for your favorite cooking spray – just make sure it’s heat-safe for air frying.
Serving Ideas
These crispy tots make the perfect side dish or snack! Serve them with ketchup, ranch dressing, or cheese sauce for dipping. They’re great alongside burgers, sandwiches, or hot dogs. For a fun appetizer, top your hot tots with melted cheese, bacon bits, and green onions – instant loaded tot-chos!
Storage Tips
Just cooked too many tots? Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. To reheat, pop them back in the air fryer at 350°F for 3-4 minutes until they’re hot and crispy again. While they’re best fresh, reheating in the air fryer helps bring back that wonderful crunch!
Ore Ida Tater Tots Air Fryer
Equipment
- Air Fryer
Ingredients
- 16 ounces frozen Ore Ida tater tots about a half of a regular bag
- Olive oil spray
- 1/2 teaspoon table salt
Instructions
- Preheat the air fryer using the preheat function or by heating it at 400°F/200°C for 5 minutes.
- Add the tater tots to the air fryer basket and spray them with a few spritzes of olive oil spray. Shake to coat the tots evenly in oil.
- Cook the tater tots 400°F/200°C for 10 minutes, then give them a shake and cook for an additional 5-8 minutes, or until your desired doneness.
- Sprinkle the tater tots with salt and give them a shake to coat them evenly. Enjoy immediately.
