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Perfect for any occasion these homemade Air Fry Tater Tots are loaded with garlic and parmesan flavors. With minimal ingredients, you can’t go wrong!
But wait, these aren’t just any old tater tots that we’re tossing into an air fryer. They’re Garlic Parmesan Air Fry Tater Tots, and oh my goodness, are they good!
Air fryers are like the superheroes of kitchen gadgets. They give us crispy, delicious food without all the oil and mess of deep frying.
And let’s face it, tater tots are always a hit, whether you’re throwing a party, having a cozy movie night, or just looking for a quick snack.
My three year old gobbles them down like they’re going out of style. Breakfast, lunch, or dinner, she would eat these crispy tater tots if I put them in front of her, haha!
Now imagine adding garlic and parmesan cheese to that equation. Yes, it’s the kind of snack that dreams are made of!
It’s one of those foods that you wouldn’t believe could be made with such an easy recipe. Combine them with your favorite dipping sauce, and it’s all over, people. You’re hooked!
Trust me, you’ll want to make a whole bag because they’ll disappear in no time. So let’s go ahead and make some air fry tater tots together. They’re magical, I tell you! So let’s get to the step-by-step instructions, shall we?
Some of our other favorite potato recipes we have on our site include: Baked Potato Chips, Savory Mashed Sweet Potatoes, and Oven Sweet Potato Fries.
WHY THIS RECIPE WORKS:
- Air Fryer Magic: The hot air circulating in the air fryer makes these tots super crispy. I have a ninja foodie that does air frying, pressure cooking, and sautéing. Hands down, the air fryer is the best part of the whole thing!
- Garlic and Parmesan Twist: These aren’t your regular tater tots; the garlic and parmesan elevate them to a whole new level of yumminess! These will be the yummiest, crispiest tater tots you’ve ever tried.
- Healthier Option: Since we’re using an air fryer, these are much healthier than deep-fried tater tots. No need to use a deep fryer and let them soak up all that oil. We’ll use just enough and no more! Also, we’re not using any old frozen tater tots here. We’re doing them homemade so you’ll know exactly what’s in them!
INGREDIENTS NEEDED (SCROLL TO THE BOTTOM OF THIS POST FOR THE FULL RECIPE CARD):
- Frozen shredded hash browns
- Olive oil
- All-purpose flour
- Garlic
- Dried Italian seasoning
- Kosher salt
- Grated parmesan cheese
HOW TO MAKE AIR FRY TATER TOTS:
- In a food processor, pulse the shredded potatoes/hash browns until they are finely chopped but not mashed.
- In a large mixing bowl, add the potatoes, olive oil, flour, garlic, and Italian seasoning. Mix together gently— without compacting the potatoes too much.
- Using a small spoon or tablespoon, scoop out enough of the mixture to shape a 1” tot in your hand. Make sure to compact the tot well so it doesn’t fall apart. Place potatoes in the air fryer, making sure they aren’t crowded.
- Spray the tots with olive oil cooking spray and air fry at 375°F for 15-18 minutes or until golden brown. Make sure to gently shake the air fryer basket halfway through cooking so the tots cook evenly.
- Remove from the fryer, and sprinkle with parmesan cheese and salt while they are still warm. Serve with your favorite dipping sauce.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT THIS RECIPE:
WHAT TO SERVE THESE WITH?
These tater tots are super tasty on their own! They also make a great side dish for burgers, hot dogs, or even a hearty salad.
I particularly like them with a steak or pot roast. Something about the beef really goes well with them!
WHAT IS A GOOD DIPPING SAUCE TO USE?
Ketchup is classic, but ranch or barbecue sauce work great too!
I’ve even tested them out with a few different hot sauces.
The garlic and parmesan are really complemented by something spicy!
WHAT KIND OF COOKING SPRAY IS THE BEST TO USE?
Olive oil spray is great as it adds a subtle, lovely flavor to the tots. A good oil sprayer is key to using an air fryer well.
You can either get a refillable version or just buy the pre-packaged ones from the store.
ANY ADDITIONS?
Oh, you can definitely try some new things with this delicious snack!
- Chopped chives
- Bacon bits
- Red pepper flakes
- A sprinkle of chili powder
- Shredded cheddar cheese
- Black pepper
- Chopped parsley
- Diced jalapeños
- Taco seasoning
- Sour cream as a topping
ANY SUBSTITUTIONS?
With such simple ingredients, it’s easy to swap things out!
- Sweet potato for hash browns
- Gluten-free flour for all-purpose flour
- Fresh herbs instead of dried Italian seasoning
- Sea salt instead of kosher salt
- Panko breadcrumbs for an extra crunch
- Vegan parmesan for dairy-free folks
HOW TO STORE:
Refrigerator: Store in an airtight container for up to 5 days.
Just heat them up in the air fryer again when you’re ready to enjoy them! Make sure to keep an eye on them so they don’t burn.
Freezer: Place them in a single layer on a baking sheet, freeze, then transfer to a freezer bag. Store for up to 3 months.
Again, you can use the air fryer to re-heat these cheesy tater tots. You don’t even need to thaw them first!
DANA’S TIPS AND TRICKS:
- Don’t Overcrowd: Make sure the tots are in a single layer in the air fryer basket.
- Shake It Up: Don’t forget to gently shake the basket halfway through the cooking time for even crispiness.
- Extra Cheese: You can mix in half the parmesan cheese into the tots for a cheesier bite.
- Test One First: Be sure to taste test to know when they’re done. That’s one of the best parts of cooking!
- Gloves for Garlic: When chopping garlic, wear disposable gloves to avoid smelly fingers.
- Cook in Batches: If you have a smaller air fryer, you might have to cook in batches to get the best results.
So there you have it, folks! Garlic Parmesan Air Fry Tater Tots are not just a fun treat but also a perfect side dish that you can whip up in no time.
They might just be the best way to enjoy a potato!
Easy to make, packed with flavor, and much healthier than the fast-food version—what’s not to love? Until next time, happy cooking!
If you like this recipe, you might also like:
If you’ve tried these AIR FRY TATER TOTS, let me know how it turned out in the comments! You can follow me over on PINTEREST, INSTAGRAM OR FACEBOOK to find some more of our mouthwatering recipes!
Homemade Garlic Parmesan Air Fry Tater Tots
Equipment
Ingredients
- 16 ounce bag of frozen shredded hash browns
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- 1 teaspoon dried Italian seasoning
- 1 cup freshly grated parmesan cheese
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
Instructions
- In a food processor, pulse the shredded potatoes/hash browns until they are finely chopped but not mashed.16 ounce bag of frozen shredded hash browns
- In a large mixing bowl, add the potatoes, olive oil, flour, garlic, and Italian seasoning. Mix together gently— without compacting the potatoes too much.2 tablespoons olive oil, 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour, 3 cloves garlic, 1 teaspoon dried Italian seasoning
- Using a small spoon or tablespoon, scoop out enough of the mixture to shape a 1” tot in your hand. Make sure to compact the tot well so it doesn’t fall apart. Place potatoes in the air fryer, making sure they aren’t crowded.
- Spray the tots with olive oil cooking spray and air fry at 375°F for 15-18 minutes or until golden brown. Make sure to gently shake the air fryer basket halfway through cooking so the tots cook evenly.
- Remove from the fryer, and sprinkle with parmesan cheese and salt while they are still warm. Serve with your favorite dipping sauce.1 cup freshly grated parmesan cheese, 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
Notes
- Don’t Overcrowd: Make sure the tots are in a single layer in the air fryer basket.
- Shake It Up: Don’t forget to gently shake the basket halfway through the cooking time for even crispiness.
- Extra Cheese: You can mix in half the parmesan cheese into the tots for a cheesier bite.
- Test One First: Be sure to taste test to know when they’re done. That’s one of the best parts of cooking!
- Gloves for Garlic: When chopping garlic, wear disposable gloves to avoid smelly fingers.
- Cook in Batches: If you have a smaller air fryer, you might have to cook in batches to get the best results.
Nutrition
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