Your child (and the child in you) will rejoice at the sight of their favorite side or snack!
What comes to mind when you think about your elementary school lunch? For me, it’s a mix of chatting with my friends, unpacking notes from my mom in my lunchbox, and the few select meals that I would actually opt to purchase instead of packing my lunch that day. Among those meals, I only remember a few foods. There are the personal pan pizzas with crusts that were never quite cooked all the way through. Then there were the breadsticks stuffed with cheese that were somehow an entree and are no doubt banned in school cafeterias today. However, the one item that always comes to mind isn’t an entree but a side. Today, I couldn’t tell you what it was served alongside. But I do remember the excitement of walking into the cafeteria and hearing that tater tots were on the menu.
I’ve never been that big of a French fry fan because I find them unpredictable. Too soft, too crunchy, too greasy. But you can almost never go wrong with a tater tot. They’re the perfect mix of crunchy and soft, easy to pop in your mouth, and, now that I’m an adult, the perfect vessel for all kinds of tasty toppings. (Have you ever tried truffle oil on a tater tot? Life-changing, I promise you!).
Whether you’re an adult looking for a satisfying and nostalgic side or you now have kids of your own and want a snack that’s certain to please, grab a bag of your favorite brand of frozen tater tots, and let’s dive in.
Are Air-Fryer Tater Tots Healthy?
Potatoes are rich in minerals as well as a source of fiber, but tater tots are typically viewed as unhealthy. It’s true that they’re typically deep-fried to get that crispy exterior. In this recipe, we use the air fryer to get that crunch, making this side a lot less greasy. But like many delicious sides, this is one you may choose to eat in moderation.
If you’re following a specific diet plan, like vegan or gluten-free, be sure to check the bag before you buy your frozen tots to make sure that there are no spices or additives that could mean these aren’t right for your dietary needs.
A Short History Of The Tater Tot
If you’ve ever wondered what inspired these crispy, delicious bites of potato goodness, you’re in luck. Tater tots are a newer invention. They were created by the potato giant Ore-Ida. Early in the company’s history, they would mechanically separate their cut fries from the bits of leftover potato scraps with a modified prune sorter. Those scraps were then sold as cattle feed. But Nephi Grigg, one of the brothers that started Ore-Ida, wanted to do something more with those scraps. Along with his brother, Nephi began experimenting with mixing in flour and seasonings, creating a potato slurry that they would then push through holes in a plywood board. The slurry was blanched, then quickly fried and frozen into nuggets—creating the tater tot!
The tater tot was introduced to the world in 1954 at the National Potato Convention in Miami Beach. Nephi then convinced kitchen staff at a hotel to serve his tater tots with their breakfast. Two years later, in 1956, they made their debut in grocery stores. It took several years for the tater tot to catch on. The rest is history!
How Do I Store Leftovers?
Tater tots are so easy to make in the air fryer that I recommend making them fresh from the freezer when you want to eat them. If you have leftovers, you can store them in a sealed container for up to 3 days and pop them back in the air fryer or even the oven to heat them up when you’re ready to eat.
Serving Suggestions
Tater tots go with any and all of your favorite lunch plates! Just try them with Air-Fryer Chicken Bites for a kid’s favorite combination! Or, if you’re looking for a nostalgic lunch that’s vegetarian and fun, try serving them alongside a Vegetarian Quiche! Wash it down with a delicious Kale Smoothie, and you’ll feel like a kid again!
These tasty tots can also be a delicious snack on their own. As we’ve mentioned, they’re great topped with melted cheese. But a favorite variation of mine is to drizzle them with truffle oil and some shredded Parmesan cheese. You could even add some crumbled bacon on top! If you don’t like truffle oil, just get creative. Any toppings you might find on French fries will taste great on tater tots, too.
Ingredients
- 16 ounces of frozen tater tots
Instructions
- Preheat your air fryer to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. This ensures that the tater tots will start cooking immediately and get that desired crispy exterior.
- Arrange the frozen tater tots in the air-fryer basket in a single layer, making sure not to overcrowd. This allows for even air circulation and crispiness. Fill the basket no more than halfway full.
- Cook the tater tots for 15-20 minutes, giving the basket a gentle shake every 5 minutes. This shaking motion ensures that all sides of the tater tots get evenly cooked and crispy.
- Once the tater tots are golden brown and crispy to your liking, carefully remove them from the air fryer. They will be hot, so use caution.
- Serve the tater tots immediately while they're hot and crispy. Pair with your favorite dipping sauce, such as ketchup, ranch dressing, or a spicy aioli, for an added flavor kick.
Nutrition Info:
Nutrition information are estimates only and may vary based on the specific brands, ingredients, and portion sizes you use. This data is provided for informational purposes only.
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