Description
Air Fryer Cheesy Tater Tots are crispy, golden shredded potato bites mixed with sharp cheddar cheese, seasoned with salt and pepper, then air fried to perfection. This homemade appetizer is a fun twist on classic tater tots, delivering cheesy, crunchy deliciousness with a tender inside.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 4 medium russet potatoes, washed
- 1½ cups sharp cheddar cheese, grated
- 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- Boil Potatoes: Place the washed potatoes in a pot of cold salted water. Bring the water to a boil, then reduce heat to low and simmer for 15 minutes until a fork can pierce the potatoes but they remain firm.
- Cool and Grate: Drain the potatoes and let them cool for about 15 minutes until they are cool enough to handle. Grate the cooled potatoes into a large mixing bowl.
- Mix Ingredients: Add the grated sharp cheddar cheese, all-purpose flour, kosher salt, and black pepper to the bowl with the grated potatoes. Mix everything thoroughly to combine.
- Form the Tater Tots: Lay out a large sheet of parchment paper. Scoop about 1 tablespoon of the mixture and shape it into a cylindrical tater tot. Place each formed tot on the parchment paper. Repeat with the remaining mixture.
- Preheat Air Fryer: Preheat your air fryer to 380°F and spray the basket with nonstick cooking spray to prevent sticking.
- Air Fry Tots – First Side: Place the tater tots in a single layer inside the air fryer basket. You may need to cook in batches if your air fryer is small. Spray the tops with cooking spray and cook for 10 minutes.
- Air Fry Tots – Flip and Continue: After 10 minutes, flip the tater tots to the other side, spray again lightly with cooking spray, and cook for an additional 5 minutes until golden and crispy.
- Serve: Remove the crispy cheesy tater tots from the air fryer and serve immediately while hot and melty.
Notes
- Make sure potatoes are not overcooked to keep tots firm enough to shape.
- Using parchment paper while shaping helps prevent sticking and keeps tots uniform.
- You can substitute sharp cheddar with other favorite cheeses like mozzarella or pepper jack for different flavors.
- If air fryer basket is small, cook tots in batches to avoid overcrowding for even crisping.
- Spraying with cooking spray both before and after flipping ensures maximum crispiness.
