The Perfect Little Brunch Menu for Anyone Cooking for Mother’s Day

Hot & Crispy Air Fryer Tater Tots

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Credit: Photo: Joe Lingeman; Food Styling: Anna Stockwell

While there’s no wrong way to eat a potato, tater tots rank among the best. These bite-sized spuds are so irresistible that I keep my freezer stocked with bags of them at all times. I learned long ago which brand to buy , and will always shower them with seasoned salt to make them even more tempting. And just like everyone “in the know,” I always baked them longer than the package instructed — until now.

To the surprise of absolutely no one, air fryer tater tots are even better than oven-baked. They’re ready in way less time, are supremely crispy and delicious, and are by far the best way to mimic deep-fried restaurant tots at home. Here’s how to do it.

Credit: Photo: Joe Lingeman; Food Styling: Anna Stockwell

Your Air Fryer Is the Secret to the Crispiest Tater Tots

Air fryer tater tots are impossibly easy. Simply fill the basket of your air fryer with about half a bag of tots (they can touch, but you’ll achieve maximum crispness if they’re in a single layer), then air fry until golden and crisp. You’ll want to shake the basket about halfway through cooking, but don’t flip the tots with a spatula — they can easily break apart once they’re thawed but before their crusts have crisped.

Serve the hot tots as is, or shake seasoned salt over top for an easy one-ingredient upgrade.

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Air Fryer Tater Tots

Yield Serves 6 to 8

Prep time 1 minute

Cook time 10 minutes to 12 minutes

Ingredients

• 1 (28 to 32-ounce) package

  frozen tater tots, divided

• 1/2 teaspoon

  seasoned salt, such as Lawry's (optional)

Instructions

1. Heat an air fryer to 400°F. Place about 1/2 bag frozen tater tots in a single layer in the basket (they can be touching). Air fry for 6 minutes. Shake the basket to toss the tater tots. Air fry until golden brown and crispy, 4 to 6 minutes more. Transfer to a serving bowl and repeat air frying the remaining tater tots. Sprinkle with 1/4 teaspoon seasoned salt if desired and toss to combine.

Recipe Notes

Storage : Leftovers can be refrigerated in an airtight container for up to 4 days.

Patty Catalano

Contributor

Patty is a freelance recipe developer who worked as Alton Brown’s Research Coordinator & Podcast Producer and in the Oxmoor House test kitchen. She loves maple syrup, coffee and board games. Patty lives in Atlanta with her husband and two children.

Source : food