Cheesy Air Fryer Tater Tots bring cheese and potatoes together in a crispy, delicious package. They make a delicious appetizer, snack or side dish, and they can even be added to your favorite casseroles. Cheesy tater tots are kid-approved, and you can feel good about serving them because you know what’s in them.
So long frozen tots! Air fryer tater tots are easy to make, and you can cook these cheesy tater tots to crispy perfection in just a few minutes. Unlike their highly processed storebought counterparts, homemade tater tots air fryer are easy to customize, and you know exactly what you’re feeding your family. Air fryer tots are crispy without using much oil, so they are also healthier than fast food.
If you love cheesy potatoes, try my Cheesy Potato Stacks, Crispy Baked Potato Skins or Parmesan Herbed Potatoes.
Why You’ll Love Air Fryer Tots
- It’s kid-friendly. Kids love tater tots, and making them at home means you know exactly what’s hidden inside them.
- It’s healthier. Compared to deep-fried tots you’d get at your local drive thru, these air fryer tots are cooked with only a tiny bit of oil so they are better for you.
- It’s pretty simple. There is a little work involved in these, but you don’t need any special equipment, and the payoff is delicious, cheesy tater tots.
Homemade Tater Tots Ingredients
- Potatoes: wash and peel medium russet potatoes.
- Cheese: we use grated cheddar cheese, but you can substitute
- Flour: All-purpose flour works well, or you can substitute gluten free flour.
- Herbs and Seasonings: combine salt, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, oregano and ground pepper or use your favorite seasonings and blends.
- Parsley: garnish with fresh chopped parsley.
How To Make Air Fryer Tater Tots
- Cook the potatoes. To a large saucepan, bring the salted water to a boil, add the potatoes and cook them on a medium flame until the fork inserted pierces the potatoes. Drain the water and allow the potatoes to cool for 10 minutes.
- Grate the potatoes. Once the potatoes are cooled down, grate them into a large bowl.
- Season the potatoes. Add cheese, flour, salt, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, oregano, and pepper. Mix it well until everything comes together.
- Form the tater tots. Scoop about a tablespoon of the potato mixture and try to form a small cylindrical log (shaped like tater tots). Repeat the same with the remaining potato mixture.
- Air fry. Meanwhile, preheat the Air Fryer to 360 degrees F. Spray the Air Fryer basket with cooking spray. Place the prepared tater tots in the Air Fryer basket in a single layer. Spray the cooking spray on top again and cook for 15 minutes in total. Flip the tater tots in the middle of the cooking for even cooking.
- Garnish and serve. Once done, garnish the cheesy tater tots with parsley on top and serve with dips on the sides.
Tips To Make The Best Cheesy Tater Tots
- You can use any variety of potatoes, including sweet potatoes
- Let the potatoes cool before mixing them with the other ingredients.
- Use a box grater or the grater attachment on your food processor.
- Swap the spices for your favorite seasoning blend.
- Add a bit of cayenne pepper, red pepper flakes or minced jalapeno to make these tots a little spicy.
- Mix cooked and crumbled bacon into the potato mixture for a meaty, smoky flavor.
- Use a tablespoon or a small cookie scoop to ensure your tots are uniform.
- Wet your hands to prevent the mixture from sticking to your hands.
- If you have trouble forming the tots, refrigerate the mixture for 30 minutes.
- Preheat your air fryer.
- Spray the tots with oil before air frying and again when you flip them.
Frequently Asked Questions
Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F. Place the tater tots on a parchment lined baking sheet and drizzle with a bit of oil. Bake for 10 minutes, flip and bake for 10 minutes more or until crispy and golden brown.
Tater tots are made of potatoes, cheese and seasonings held together with a bit of flour. They are naturally vegetarian but can be made gluten-free with gluten-free flour.
For super crispy air fryer tater tots, don’t overcrowd the air fryer. Spritz the tots with oil, shake the air fryer, or flip the tots halfway during the cooking. You can also add a few minutes to the cooking time, so the cheesy tater tots get extra crispy.
Leftover tots can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days. Reheat in a preheated 360 degrees F air fryer for about 8 minutes or until warm and crispy.
Yes! Flash-freeze the uncooked tots on a parchment lined baking sheet, then transfer them to a freezer bag for up to 3 months. Air fry directly from the freezer.
Cheesy tots are the perfect side dish for Homemade Burgers, Grilled Beef Kafta, and Fried Chicken Sandwich. Don’t forget to serve with ketchup, ranch dressing or your favorite dipping sauce.
More Potato Recipes
- Low Carb Breakfast Potato Skillet
- Smashed Sweet Potatoes With Herbs and Garlic
- Oven Roasted Baby Potatoes
- Easy Au Gratin Potatoes
- Crispy Air Fryer Roasted Potatoes
- The BEST Crispy Potato Wedges
I hope you enjoy all the recipes I share with you, including this delicious Homemade Tater Tots made in the air fryer. I hope you try it, enjoy it, rate it, and share it with your friends and family!
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Cheesy Airy Fryer Tater Tots
Ingredients
- 4 medium russet potatoes washed and skin peeled
- 1½ cup cheddar cheese grated
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon paprika
- ½ teaspoon oregano
- ½ teaspoon ground pepper
- Chopped parsley to garnish
Instructions
- To a large saucepan, bring the salted water to a boil, add the potatoes and cook them on a medium flame until the fork inserted pierces the potatoes.
- Drain the water and allow the potatoes to cool for 10 minutes.
- Once the potatoes are cooled down, grate them into a large bowl.
- Add cheese, flour, salt, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, oregano, and pepper. Mix it well until everything comes together.
- Scoop about a tablespoon of the potato mixture and try to form a small cylindrical log (shaped like tater tots). Repeat the same with the remaining potato mixture.
- Meanwhile, preheat the Air Fryer to 360 degrees F. Spray the Air Fryer basket with cooking spray.
- Place the prepared tater tots in the Air Fryer basket in a single layer. Spray the cooking spray on top again and cook for 15 minutes in total. Flip the tater tots in the middle of the cooking for even cooking.
- Once done, garnish the cheesy tater tots with parsley on top and serve with dips on the sides.
Notes
- You can use any variety of potatoes, including sweet potatoes
- Let the potatoes cool before mixing them with the other ingredients.
- Use a box grater or the grater attachment on your food processor.
- Swap the spices for your favorite seasoning blend.
- Add a bit of cayenne pepper, red pepper flakes or minced jalapeno to make these tots a little spicy.
- Mix cooked and crumbled bacon into the potato mixture for a meaty, smoky flavor.
- Use a tablespoon or a small cookie scoop to ensure your tots are uniform.
- Wet your hands to prevent the mixture from sticking to your hands.
- If you have trouble forming the tots, refrigerate the mixture for 30 minutes.
- Preheat your air fryer.
- Spray the tots with oil before air frying and again when you flip them.
Yum! Love this idea.
Thanks Christy
These look so yummy! I’m pulling together recipes for an appetizer party (aka Super Bowl) and will give these a go