How to Cook Frozen Tater Tots in an Air Fryer

Skip the oven, and cook your tots in the air fryer! With just a bit of spray oil and salt, you can have super crispy delicious tater tots quicker than ever. It’s quick and easy to learn How to Cook Frozen Tater Tots in an Air Fryer!

My air fryer and all kinds of potatoes are best friends for life because I’m literally always throwing potatoes of any kind in there and she gets the job done!

Watch how to Cook Frozen Tater Tots in an Air Fryer Recipe (42 seconds):

Can you cook frozen tater tots in an air fryer?

Yes! You absolutely can cook frozen tater tots in an air fryer. In fact, it’s the only way I do it these days.

What ingredients do you need to cook frozen tater tots in an air fryer?

Here’s what you need to cook frozen tater tots in an air fryer:

• an air fryer (keep reading for my recommendation!)
• spray oil – I only use Chosen Foods Avocado Oil Spray (affiliate link!). It is not recommended to use non-stick cooking sprays in the air fryer.
• frozen tater tots – I buy 32 ounce bags and then we’ve got enough for two rounds in the air fryer.
• salt – drastically improves tastes, don’t skip! If you’re concerned about sodium, buy unseasoned frozen tater tots with potatoes as the only ingredient.

What air fryer do you use?

If you’ve read any of my previous air fryer recipe posts, you may know that I had a Philips 2.75 qt Viva Air Fryer (affiliate link!). I used it all the time and made SO MANY yummy things (taquitos! chimichangas! apple chips!). 

I bought this Philips air fryer a couple years ago, when air fryers were still relatively new appliances. Now, hardly even two years later, the technology has already improved. OH – and I wanted a bigger air fryer.

So about a month ago, I upgraded to this Cosori XL 5.8 qt Air Fryer (affiliate link!). I thought I loved air fryers before, but now, there isn’t a shred of a doubt.

More space = more air frying power = more amazing air fried food!

Do you have to preheat an air fryer?

No, preheating your air fryer is not a requirement.

If you preheat your air fryer, it will save you about 2-3 minutes of cooking time, depending on the type of food you are cooking.

If you do not preheat your air fryer, the food will just take a couple minutes longer to cook. 

I preheat my air fryer about 20% of the time – when the food is going to take over 20 minutes, and when I can actually remember! If you forget, no worries.

The beauty of the air fryer is that preheating is not a big deal. Because of the small space and quick heat, the difference to the cook time of the food is minimal, but noticeable. 

What temperature do you cook frozen tater tots in an air fryer?

I prefer to cook my tater tots at 350F in the air fryer. 

During testing, I experimented with cooking the tots at 400F, as the oven directions state. I found they browned much too quickly and it was easier to accidentally burn the tots.

I don’t mind adding an extra 3-5 minutes cook time for a slightly lower temperature. However, feel free to give it a try at 400F if you’re going to keep a super close eye on the tater tots in the air fryer.

How long do you cook frozen tater tots in an air fryer?

Tater tots will take about 15-20 minutes to cook in an air fryer. I do not preheat my air fryer for cooking these tots.

How to Cook Frozen Tater Tots in an Air Fryer:

• Place 16 ounces of frozen tater tots into your air fryer basket in a single layer, working in batches if you have a small air fryer.
• Spray tots quickly with avocado spray oil (I use Chosen Foods Avocado Spray Oil). Add a sprinkle of salt over the tots.
• Set the air fryer to 350F and air fry for 15-20 minutes, shaking the basket every 5 minutes. Tots are done when they’re golden brown and crispy to your liking.

Cooking Tater Tots: Oven vs Air Fryer

• The oven needs to be preheated, which adds an extra 10 minutes or so to the preparation of tots in the oven.
• The air fryer does need to be shaken during cooking, and will need a close watch near the end to avoid burning.
• The oven can hold more tots at once.
• The air fryer tends to cook tots a bit faster, even if you don’t include preheat time. 
• The air fryer tends to be more energy efficient and you can leave the oven open for other foods to be cooked if necessary
• Both require at least one thing to be washed after use.

What do you serve with air fryer tater tots?

Serve as an appetizer or side dish to so many meals! Kid-friendly and loved by adults, this side dish is an option most of the time.

• serve with fish sandwiches or baked fish (breaded or not)
• serve with hotdogs, hamburgers, or paninis
• serve on the side of a chicken caesar salad
• serve with tacos or taco salads
• just eat them with ketchup because potatoes are life

How do you reheat tater tots in the air fryer?

If you ended up with extra tots, that’s okay! The air fryer does a wonderful job reheating soggy, cold tots.

Add leftover refrigerated tots to your air fryer basket. Air fry at 350F for about 6 minutes, giving the basket a good shake halfway through.

The tots are done when they’re hot and crispy again! We have officially named these “double fried tots”, and we enjoy them just as much as the first time cooking. Feel free to add more salt or seasoning to your liking.