Craving the ultimate crispy, golden tater tots that'll make your taste buds dance? Say goodbye to frozen, store-bought disappointments and hello to the most mouthwatering homemade air fryer tater tots you've ever tasted! These irresistible potato bites are about to revolutionize your snack game, delivering restaurant-quality crunch right from your kitchen with minimal effort and maximum flavor.
Prep Time: 15 mins
Cook Time: 20 mins
Total Time: 35 mins
Cuisine: American
Serves: 4 servings
Ingredients
- 2 large russet potatoes
- 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
Instructions
- Begin by washing the russet potatoes thoroughly under cold water to remove any dirt. Peel the potatoes using a vegetable peeler, then cut them into evenly sized chunks to ensure they cook uniformly.
- Place the potato chunks in a large pot and cover them with cold water. Add a pinch of salt to the water and bring it to a boil over medium-high heat. Once boiling, reduce the heat to medium and cook the potatoes for about 10-12 minutes, or until they are fork-tender but not mushy.
- Once cooked, drain the potatoes in a colander and allow them to cool for a few minutes. After they have cooled slightly, transfer them to a large mixing bowl.
- Using a potato masher or fork, mash the cooked potatoes until they are mostly smooth with a few small lumps remaining for texture.
- Add the all-purpose flour, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper to the mashed potatoes. Mix everything together until well combined, ensuring the flour and seasonings are evenly distributed throughout the mixture.
- Preheat your air fryer to 400°F (200°C) for about 5 minutes. While the air fryer is heating, prepare a clean surface or cutting board to shape the tater tots.
- Once the mixture is ready, take a small amount (about a tablespoon) and shape it into a small cylindrical form, resembling a traditional tater tot. Repeat this process until all the potato mixture is shaped into tots.
- Drizzle the olive oil over the shaped tater tots and gently toss them to coat evenly. This will help them achieve a crispy texture during cooking.
- Carefully place the tater tots in the air fryer basket in a single layer, making sure they are not overcrowded. You may need to cook them in batches depending on the size of your air fryer.
- Cook the tater tots in the air fryer at 400°F (200°C) for 15-20 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through to ensure even cooking. The tots should be golden brown and crispy on the outside when done.
- Once cooked, remove the tater tots from the air fryer and let them cool for a few minutes before serving. Enjoy your homemade air fryer tater tots as a delicious snack or side dish!
Tips
- Choose the right potatoes: Russet potatoes work best due to their high starch content, which helps create the perfect crispy exterior.
- Don't overcook the potatoes during boiling - you want them fork-tender but not mushy. This ensures the right texture for shaping and cooking.
- Make sure to shake the air fryer basket midway through cooking to guarantee even browning and crispiness on all sides.
- If the tater tots are sticking together, leave some space between them in the air fryer basket. Overcrowding can prevent proper crisping.
- For extra flavor, experiment with different seasonings like smoked paprika, dried herbs, or grated parmesan cheese mixed into the potato mixture.
- Let the tater tots rest for a few minutes after cooking to allow the exterior to set and become extra crispy.
- If you want to make ahead, you can shape the tots and store them in the refrigerator for a few hours before cooking.
Nutrition Facts
Calories: 126kcal
Carbohydrates: 22g
Protein: 3g
Fat: 4g
Saturated Fat: g
Cholesterol: 0mg
