Air Fryer Tater Tots: The Perfect Snack in Minutes
Tots not only make a scrumptious side for a meal but also a crunchy and craveable snack. A popular menu item at the Freddy’s near you, these bites of golden brown potato can also be prepared at home. Although multiple cooking methods may be used, learn more about why you might try making your next batch of tater tots in the air fryer.
Why Cook Tater Tots in the Air Fryer
As explored at The New York Times, air fryers have grown in popularity, especially over the last decade. Suitable for making familiar fried items like fries or tater tots, air fryers work well for making a wide range of other, perhaps less obvious creations, like cheesecake or Brussels sprouts. It has also become a frequently selected piece of equipment for preparing any meal of the day, not to mention various snack items. Therefore, the next time that you are ready for a snack, you might consider cooking tater tots in the air fryer.
If you have a craving for tater tots or are just feeling a bit hungry, you likely want to enjoy your snack as soon as possible. By cooking tater tots in the air fryer, these bites will be ready to serve faster than making them in the oven. For individuals who want to treat themselves to tasty tater tots while keeping their health considerations in mind, this preparation method offers two key benefits. For air fryer tater tots, you can typically skip oil entirely (or use a small amount). Additionally, the smaller size of an air fryer may help support any portion control efforts. As noted by The Kitchn, there is generally less cleanup involved with air fryer use, especially in comparison to deep frying.
Tips and Recipes for Tater Tots in the Air Fryer
As this recipe from Allrecipes illustrates, making tater tots in an air fryer can be as simple as one ingredient and just a few steps. Then, crunchy potato snacks will soon be ready to enjoy. To help you make the most of your tater tots for snacking and for other meal preparations, find some tips and recipes below:
Don’t thaw or crowd the tater tots. In sharing how to make tater tots in the air fryer, the Air Frying Foodie provides several helpful tips. One is that you can put frozen tater tots directly into the air fryer once it’s preheated – no thawing needed! Additionally, putting the potato nuggets in a single layer in the air fryer is the best way to ensure that each bite has a crispy exterior and warm, soft interior.
Season your tater tots. In this recipe from A Spicy Perspective for tater tots in the air fryer, find a variety of seasoning recommendations. While prepared seasoning blends can be used, you might also try making your own combinations for use on your tater tots. Simply Recipes provides recipes for more than 15 different blends that you might try on your tater tots or in preparing other dishes.
Try different sauces. Instead of a standard fried potato companion like ketchup, consider other sauces to enjoy when you make your next batch of tater tots in the air fryer. For example, try one of your favorite sauces from Freddy’s, such as Freddy’s Famous Jalapeno Fry Sauce®.
Use air-fried tater tots to make main dishes. If any members of your household already request tater tots frequently for their snacks and sides, why not incorporate them into a main dish? From casseroles to waffles, check out these tater tot recipes for other ideas about how to use tater tots in your upcoming menu.
Prepare your own potato nuggets or variations with other vegetables. While a package of frozen potato bites helps speed up preparation time, you can also make homemade tater tots, as in this recipe from Sprinkles and Sprouts. Looking to satisfy your tot craving with fewer carbs or to use up that cauliflower rice in the fridge? Try this recipe for cauliflower tots from AirFried.com.
Speed up cooking time while still enjoying the crunchiness that contributes to this snack’s craveability by preparing tater tots in the air fryer. Another quick, easy and delicious option is to order Tots from your local Freddy’s. Want your snack or entire meal delivered, including our Tots, steakburgers and frozen custard treats? With our app which is available from the App Store and Google Play, earn rewards and place your order right from the app for delivery, carry-out or dine-in!