Tater tots are a beloved American snack that can be enjoyed on their own or as a side dish. They are made from grated potatoes, which are seasoned, shaped into small cylindrical pieces, and deep-fried until they are crispy and golden brown. However, deep frying can be a messy and calorie-laden process. Thankfully, the invention of the air fryer has provided a healthier and easier way to enjoy these delicious treats. In this article, we will guide you on how to make tater tots in an air fryer, ensuring they turn out crispy and delicious every time!
Gathering the Ingredients and Equipment
Before we embark on our tater tot adventure, let us first gather all the necessary ingredients and equipment. This will ensure a smooth and hassle-free cooking experience. Here’s what you’ll need:
1. Potatoes: Choose starchy potatoes like russets or Yukon golds for the perfect texture and flavor. Aim for around 2 pounds of potatoes, which will yield approximately 4 to 6 cups of grated potatoes.
2. Seasonings: Gather your preferred seasonings to add flavor to your tater tots. Popular options include salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, and paprika. Adjust the amounts according to your taste preferences.
3. Cooking spray or oil: Using a cooking spray or brushing the tater tots with a small amount of oil is essential to achieve the desired crispiness.
4. Air fryer: You will obviously need an air fryer for this recipe. If you don’t have one yet, consider investing in this versatile kitchen appliance that can also cook a wide variety of foods with less oil.
Preparing the Potatoes
1. Peel and Grate the Potatoes
Start by peeling the potatoes to remove the skin. Once peeled, using a box grater or a food processor with a grating disc, grate the potatoes into fine shreds. Alternatively, you can use pre-packaged frozen grated potatoes for convenience.
2. Remove the Excess Moisture
Potatoes contain a substantial amount of moisture which can prevent them from becoming crispy in the air fryer. To remove excess moisture, place the grated potatoes in a clean kitchen towel and squeeze tightly. Repeat this step a few times until no more liquid comes out. This simple technique will greatly enhance the final texture of your tater tots.
Seasoning and Shaping the Tater Tots
1. Season the Grated Potatoes
Transfer the grated and squeezed potatoes to a large bowl. Add your desired seasonings and mix well to ensure the potatoes are evenly coated. Don’t be afraid to get creative with your seasoning choices!
2. Shape the Tater Tots
Now comes the fun part – shaping the tater tots! Take a small handful of the seasoned grated potatoes and shape it into a cylindrical tot shape using your hands. Aim for a size of around 1 inch in length. Repeat this process until all the potato mixture is used.
Cooking the Tater Tots in the Air Fryer
1. Preheat the Air Fryer
Preheating your air fryer is essential to achieve a crispy exterior. Set the air fryer temperature to 400°F (200°C) and let it preheat for a few minutes.
2. Grease the Air Fryer Basket
To prevent the tater tots from sticking to the air fryer basket, give it a light coating of cooking spray or brush with a small amount of oil.
3. Arrange and Cook the Tater Tots
Carefully place the shaped tater tots in a single layer in the greased air fryer basket, making sure they are not touching each other. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may need to cook the tater tots in batches.
4. Cook and Shake
Set the air fryer temperature to 400°F (200°C) and cook the tater tots for approximately 15 minutes. Remember to shake the basket every 5 minutes to ensure even cooking and prevent any sticking.
5. Adjust Cooking Time if Needed
Cooking times may vary depending on the brand and model of your air fryer, as well as the size and thickness of your tater tots. If needed, cook for an additional few minutes until the tater tots reach the desired level of crispiness and golden brown color.
Serving and Enjoyment
Once your tater tots are beautifully golden and crispy, remove them from the air fryer and let them cool slightly. Serve them as a snack, a side dish, or even as a fun addition to your breakfast spread. You can pair them with ketchup, ranch dressing, or any other dipping sauce of your choice.
The air fryer allows you to enjoy tater tots with less guilt, as they require significantly less oil compared to deep frying. The result is a healthier and lighter version without sacrificing any of the taste and texture.
Now that you know how to make tater tots in an air fryer, it’s time to unleash your creativity and experiment with different seasonings and dipping sauces. So fire up your air fryer and get ready to indulge in some homemade, crispy, and delicious tater tots!