Tater tots in air fryer are a delicious and convenient way to achieve the perfect crispy texture that traditional cooking methods often fail to deliver. Unfortunately, many people struggle with soggy and flavorless tots when using traditional cooking methods, such as oven baking or deep frying. But fear not! With the help of an air fryer, you can easily make deliciously crispy tater tots at home. In this blog post, we’ll share our favorite air fried tater tots recipe, along with tips for achieving the perfect texture and flavor.
The benefits of using Air Fried Tater Tots:
Healthier than deep frying:
Traditional tater tots are deep-fried, which adds a significant amount of oil and calories to the dish. However, using tater tots in air fryer can significantly reduce the amount of added oil, making it a healthier option for those who are conscious about their calorie intake.
More convenient than oven baking:
Oven-baked tater tots can take a long time to cook and often require preheating, which can be time-consuming. Air fried tater tots, on the other hand, heat up quickly and require less cooking time, making them a more convenient option for those who are short on time or prefer quick meals.
Crispy texture without adding oil:
Tater tots in the air fryer are known for their crispy texture, which is achieved without the need for added oil. The hot air circulates around the tots, creating a crispy exterior that is hard to achieve with traditional cooking methods such as oven baking or deep frying. This makes tater tots in air fryer a delicious and satisfying snack or side dish.
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The recipe:
List of ingredients needed:
- 1 bag of frozen tater tots
- 1 tablespoon of olive oil
- Salt and pepper to taste
Step-by-step instructions for preparing the tots in the air fryer:
- Preheat the air fryer to 400°F.
- In a mixing bowl, combine the frozen tater tots with olive oil, salt, and pepper. Mix well to ensure that the tater tots are evenly coated with the oil and seasoning.
- Place your tater tots in the air fryer basket in a single layer, making sure they are not touching each other.
- Cook for 10-15 minutes, shaking the basket every 5 minutes to ensure that the tots are evenly cooked.
- Once the tots are golden brown and crispy, remove them from the air fryer basket and transfer them to a serving dish.
- Serve hot and enjoy!
Tips for achieving the perfect tater tots in air fryer texture and flavor:
- Make sure to preheat the air fryer before cooking to ensure that the tots cook evenly and have a crispy exterior.
- Avoid overcrowding the air fryer basket. This can cause the tots to cook unevenly and result in a soggy texture.
- If you want a more even cook, use a rack in the air fryer basket.This is to help air circulate more evenly around the tater tots.
- Experiment with different seasonings and spices to create your desired flavor profile. For example, you could add garlic powder, paprika, or cayenne pepper to give your tater tots in air fryer a little kick.
Customization options
Suggestions for seasoning variations:
- Garlic parmesan: Mix grated parmesan cheese, minced garlic, and dried parsley together and sprinkle over the tater tots before cooking.
- BBQ: In this case, add a pinch of smoked paprika and onion powder to the tater tots before cooking, then serve with your favorite BBQ sauce.
- Ranch: Sprinkle ranch seasoning mix over the tater tots before cooking for a tangy and savory flavor.
Ideas for dipping sauces:
- Ketchup and mustard: Classic condiments that pair perfectly with the air fried tater tots.
- Sriracha mayo: Mix mayonnaise and sriracha together for a spicy dipping sauce.
- Cheese sauce: Melt some cheddar cheese with milk and a pinch of garlic powder for a delicious cheese dipping sauce.
Suggestions for incorporating the air fryer tater tots into different dishes:
- Loaded tater tots: Top your tater tots with bacon bits, shredded cheese, sour cream, and green onions for a loaded appetizer or side dish.
- Tater tot breakfast burrito: Fill a tortilla with scrambled eggs, tater tots, cheese, and your favorite breakfast meats for a tasty breakfast burrito.
- Tater tot nachos: Use tater tots as a base for nachos and top with cheese, beans, tomatoes, and jalapenos for a unique twist on a classic snack.
Conclusion
Tater tots in air fryer are a game changer. Not only are they healthier than deep-fried tater tots, but they also have a crispy texture without the need for added oil. Plus, air frying is more convenient than oven baking.
If you haven’t tried making air fried tater tots yet, I encourage you to give it a try using the recipe and customization options shared in this post. Don’t be afraid to experiment with different seasonings and dipping sauces to make it your own.
Also, if you do try this recipe, we’d love to hear about your experience in the comments section below. Share your favorite customization options, tips, and tricks for making the perfect air fryer tater tots. Thanks for reading!
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