Introduction
If you’re a fan of crispy and delicious tater tots, then you’ll be thrilled to know that you can easily make them in the air fryer. Air fryers have become increasingly popular in recent years due to their ability to cook food quickly and with less oil. In this article, we will walk you through the steps to make perfect tater tots in the air fryer.
Ingredients
Before we begin, let’s gather the ingredients you’ll need:
- 1 bag of frozen tater tots
- 1 tablespoon of olive oil
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
Step 1: Preheat the Air Fryer
Start by preheating your air fryer to 400°F (200°C) for about 5 minutes. Preheating ensures that the tater tots cook evenly and become crispy.
Step 2: Prepare the Tater Tots
While the air fryer is preheating, place the frozen tater tots in a bowl. Drizzle them with the olive oil and sprinkle salt and pepper to taste. Toss the tater tots gently to coat them evenly with the oil and seasoning.
Step 3: Air Fry the Tater Tots
Next, transfer the seasoned tater tots to the air fryer basket. Make sure not to overcrowd the basket, as this can prevent proper air circulation and result in uneven cooking. Cook the tater tots in batches if needed.
Close the air fryer and set the timer for 15 minutes. Halfway through the cooking time, shake the basket to ensure even cooking. This will help the tater tots become crispy on all sides.
Step 4: Serve and Enjoy
Once the tater tots are golden brown and crispy, remove them from the air fryer and transfer to a serving plate. Serve hot as a side dish or a snack. You can enjoy them plain or serve them with ketchup, ranch dressing, or your favorite dipping sauce.
Tips for Perfect Tater Tots
Here are some additional tips to make your tater tots even more delicious:
- Do not defrost the tater tots before air frying. Cooking them from frozen ensures they have a crispy exterior and a soft interior.
- Make sure to preheat the air fryer to ensure even cooking.
- Shake the basket during cooking to ensure all sides of the tater tots become crispy.
- Feel free to experiment with different seasonings such as garlic powder, paprika, or onion powder to add extra flavor.
Conclusion
Now that you know how to make tater tots in the air fryer, you can enjoy this delicious snack or side dish with minimal effort and oil. The crispy and flavorful tater tots will surely be a hit with your family and friends. So, go ahead and give it a try!