We show you exactly how to cook frozen tater tots in the air fryer so they come out golden, crispy, and perfectly cooked every time. This easy method works for any brand like Alexia or your favorite store-brand.
Why You'll Love Our Method!
- We give you all the tips and tricks to get perfectly cooked tots every time.
- Ready fast - Just 15 minutes! Half the time compared to an oven
- Crispy exterior, fluffy center - Restaurant-style texture
- Only one ingredient - Just a bag of frozen tots
- Make them a meal - Add the healthy air fried tots alongside a lean protein and roasted veggie or simple side salad for a quick weeknight dinner.
We use our air fryer almost daily to make easy meals and snacks, and these frozen tater tots are one of our family's all-time favorites, along with frozen shoestring french fries, waffle fries, or sweet potato fries. This is literally the air fryer recipe we make more than any other at home (my husband's favorite)!
Ingredient Notes
- ½-1 lb frozen tater tots (Trader Joe's, Alexia, or your favorite brand)
- Optional: avocado or olive oil spray
- Optional dips: ketchup, ranch, sriracha mayo, fry sauce
📝 Tip: Most tater tots come pre-oiled and seasoned. No need to add extra unless you want to customize flavor or boost crispiness.
We try to find healthier brands like Alexia, Trader Joes, or Whole Foods 360 for frozen snacks.
Our Favorite Brands
- Trader Joe's - Simple ingredients, great crisp
- Alexia - Organic and non-GMO options, lightly seasoned
- Ore-Ida - Classic fast food-style tots, great flavor. The most popular brand.
- Whole Foods 365 or store-brand - Budget-friendly and usually gluten-free
Air Fryer Tater Tots Time and Temp
- Temperature: 400°F
- Time: 15 minutes total
- Flip or shake: At the 7-8 minute mark
🔧 Pro Tip: Cook in a single layer for the crispiest texture. If using a basket-style air fryer, shake every 5 minutes. Oven-style models can simply flip the tots once halfway through.
How to Air Fry Frozen Tater Tots
- Preheat your air fryer to 400°F for 3-5 minutes.
- Add frozen tater tots to the basket (they're fine to stack in a basket air fryer) or if you have an air fryer oven, put them in a single layer.
- Air fry for 7-8 minutes, then flip or shake.
- Continue cooking for another 6-8 minutes, or until golden and crispy.
- Serve hot with your favorite dipping sauce!
✨ Want to mix it up? Serve these alongside air fryer mozzarella sticks or corn dogs for a fun frozen snack board. We have a ton of healthy air fryer frozen foods you can pair these with. Great for game day or just as a fun weekend appetizer board.
Best Crispy Tips!
- Preheat your air fryer before cooking to improve crispiness
- Don't overcrowd the basket since the air needs room to circulate
- Flip or shake halfway through for even cooking
- No thawing needed, you cook these straight from frozen
- Avoid cooking sprays like Pam in non-stick baskets; use high-heat oil if needed
FAQs
Can you stack tater tots in an air fryer?
You can stack tater tots, you'll just have to shake them every 5 minutes to make sure they crisp evenly. For the crispiest results, cook them in a single layer, especially if you have an oven style air fryer.
How do you know when tater tots are done?
They're ready when golden brown, crispy on the outside, and tender inside, which is typically after 15 minutes at 400°F in a preheated air fryer.
Can you reheat tater tots in an air fryer?
Yes! Preheat to 400°F, then air fry leftovers for 2-4 minutes until hot and crisp again.
More Air Fryer Frozen Snacks
Love crispy snacks from the freezer? Try these next:
- Air Fried Mozzarella Sticks (from Frozen)
- Air Fryer Frozen Jalapeno Poppers
- Air Fried Frozen Onion Rings
- Frozen Air Fryer Chicken Taquitos
- Air Fryer Frozen Mini Pizza
- Mini Frozen Air Fryer Corn Dogs
- Frozen Air Fryer Mini Eggrolls
Recipe
Healthy Frozen Tater Tots (Air Fryer Recipe)
Equipment
Ingredients
- ½ lb - 1 lb frozen tater tots
- cooking spray
Instructions
- Preheat the air fryer to 400F for 3-5 minutes, this helps to evenly distribute the heat.
- Cook on one side for 8 minutes and then shake or flip the frozen tater tots.
- Cook for 7 more minutes, for a total of 15 minutes, until they're cooked through and crisp on the outside. Serve warm and enjoy!
Notes
- Any air fryer model will work for this recipe, if you have a basket style toaster oven until lay them in a single layer and flip halfway during the 15 minute cooking time. If you have a basket style, shake the basket every 5 minutes.
- Serve with your favorite dip like ketchup or Ranch dressing.
- Be sure to preheat the unit to get the correct cooking time, if you skip the preheat you'll need to cook the tots a little longer.
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