Name: Crispy Cheesy Air Fryer Tater Tots Recipe
Prep time: 45 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 1 h
Cuisine: American
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

If you love snacks that are crispy on the outside, cheesy and tender on the inside, then you’re going to adore this Crispy Cheesy Air Fryer Tater Tots Recipe. These homemade tots are a game-changer—easy to make and perfect whenever you want a tasty bite to share or enjoy solo.

A white marbled surface holds a piece of brown parchment paper topped with many golden-brown tater tots, each showing a crispy and uneven texture with small green herb bits sprinkled on top. Two small round wooden bowls near the bottom left corner hold thick red ketchup and creamy light orange dipping sauce. The tater tots are arranged in a loose pile, with some scattered around the edges, showing their crunchy, browned edges and soft centers. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Jump to:

Why You'll Love This Recipe
Ingredients & Why They Work
Make It Your Way
Step-by-Step: How I Make Crispy Cheesy Air Fryer Tater Tots Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Crispy Cheesy Air Fryer Tater Tots Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
Crispy Cheesy Air Fryer Tater Tots Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

Honestly, I can’t get enough of these cheesy air fryer tater tots. They satisfy that craving for something crunchy and flavorful without all the fuss or extra oil from deep frying.

Crunchy & Cheesy: Perfectly crispy outside with melty sharp cheddar inside every bite.
Healthier Snack: Air frying means less oil but all the golden goodness.
Simple Ingredients: Just a handful of pantry staples you likely already have.
Make-Ahead Friendly: Prep them ahead of time and cook whenever cravings hit.

Ingredients & Why They Work

We keep it straightforward with this recipe, using classic ingredients that come together for maximum flavor and texture. When shopping, look for firm russet potatoes—they’re the best for shredding and crisping up.

Flat lay of four whole russet potatoes with natural skin texture, a small mound of freshly grated sharp cheddar cheese, a small white ceramic bowl filled with plain all-purpose flour, a small white ceramic bowl containing coarse kosher salt crystals, and a small white ceramic bowl with ground black pepper, all arranged symmetrically on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997

Russet Potatoes: Their starchy texture helps create a crispy exterior while keeping the inside fluffy.
Sharp Cheddar Cheese: Adds that rich, bold cheesy flavor which melts beautifully inside.
All-Purpose Flour: Acts as the perfect binder to hold the tots together without weighing them down.
Kosher Salt: Enhances the natural potato and cheese flavors without overpowering.
Black Pepper: Adds a subtle kick for a balanced, seasoned taste.

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Note: You'll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Make It Your Way

One of the best things about this Crispy Cheesy Air Fryer Tater Tots Recipe is how easy it is to customize and make completely your own. Whether you like them extra cheesy, with a kick of spice, or even dairy-free, there’s plenty of room to experiment and find your perfect flavor combo.

Extra Cheesy: I love adding a mix of sharp cheddar and a little mozzarella for that gooey stretchiness. It’s melty and irresistible!
Spicy Kick: Try mixing in a pinch of smoked paprika or cayenne pepper to the potato mixture before forming your tots. The subtle heat pairs beautifully with the cheddar.
Herb Infused: Fresh chopped chives or parsley stirred in right before shaping the tots adds a lovely fresh note and pop of color.
Gluten-Free Option: Swap the all-purpose flour for a gluten-free alternative like rice flour or almond flour without losing that signature crispiness.
Vegan Version: Use a plant-based shredded cheese and a flax egg or vegan binder to keep things cheesy and crispy without dairy.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Crispy Cheesy Air Fryer Tater Tots Recipe

The image shows a close-up of a woman's hand holding a small, golden brown potato piece with a crispy outside and soft, light yellow inside. In the background, there are several more of these crispy potato pieces, all with a golden color and a slightly rough texture. The focus is on the one piece held by the woman's hand, showing the soft texture inside. The background is blurred but still shows the potato pieces scattered on a white marbled surface, enhancing the warm, inviting look of the food. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Step 1: Perfectly Par-Cook Your Potatoes

Start by placing your washed russet potatoes into a pot of cold salted water. Bring it to a gentle boil over medium-high heat, then lower to a simmer. Cooking them for about 15 minutes makes sure they're tender enough to grate but still firm enough to hold together when formed into tots. You’ll notice a fork pierces through easily without the potatoes falling apart. Once done, drain thoroughly and let them cool on your counter for about 15 minutes until they’re easy to handle. This cooling step is crucial — warm potatoes can make the mixture too soft and sticky.

Step 2: Grate and Mix Your Ingredients

Grate the cooled potatoes using a box grater or food processor—it’s satisfying to see all that fluffy potato gather in your bowl! Add the sharp cheddar cheese, flour, kosher salt, and black pepper right on top. Now mix everything together thoroughly. This blend gives your tots their cheesy goodness and helps bind the mixture just enough to hold shape.

Step 3: Shape Your Tater Tots

Lay out a generous sheet of parchment paper on your workspace. Scoop about a tablespoon of the potato mixture and shape it into a small cylinder — classic tater tot style. You can make these a bit larger or smaller depending on your preference, but a tablespoon size cooks evenly and crisps up perfectly. Place each tot on the parchment and continue until your mixture is all used.

Step 4: Air Fry for Crispy Perfection

Preheat your air fryer to 380°F (193°C) and spray the basket lightly with nonstick cooking spray to keep those tots from sticking. Arrange the tots in a single layer to ensure crispiness — don’t overcrowd the basket! I usually do this in batches if needed. Spray the tops of the tots with a quick mist of cooking spray to help develop that golden crust. Cook for 10 minutes, then carefully flip each tot over and cook for another 5 minutes. By now, you should have beautiful, golden-brown tots that are crispy on the outside and bursting with cheesy flavor inside.

Step 5: Serve and Enjoy Immediately

Once cooked, transfer your crispy cheesy tater tots straight from the air fryer to the table. They’re best enjoyed hot, while the outside is crisp and the cheese is wonderfully melty. Serve with your favorite dipping sauces like ketchup, ranch, or spicy mayo – the possibilities are endless!

Top Tip

These tips will help you perfect your Crispy Cheesy Air Fryer Tater Tots Recipe, ensuring every batch comes out golden, crunchy, and packed with cheesy goodness.

Drain Thoroughly: I learned that draining the potatoes really well before grating prevents soggy tots, giving you that perfect crispy texture.
Use Sharp Cheddar: Sharp cheddar adds a punch of flavor that balances the potato perfectly – switching to a milder cheese just didn’t have the same magic.
Don’t Overcrowd the Basket: Cooking the tots in a single layer and in batches if needed ensures they crisp nicely rather than steam.
Spray Oil Twice: Spraying both before cooking and halfway through makes a big difference in achieving an even golden crunch without deep frying.

How to Serve Crispy Cheesy Air Fryer Tater Tots Recipe

The image shows a metal baking tray lined with white parchment paper, holding 30 small, golden-yellow round dough pieces arranged neatly in six rows and five columns. The dough pieces have a smooth texture with tiny orange specks visible throughout. On the bottom right corner of the tray, there is a silver cookie scoop filled with the same dough, resting on the parchment paper and partially on the tray. The tray is placed on a wooden surface with a warm brown tone. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Garnishes

Sprinkle fresh chopped chives or green onions over the tots for a pop of color and a mild oniony bite. You can also serve them with a dusting of smoked paprika or a little grated parmesan for extra flavor layers. For dipping, tangy sour cream, creamy aioli, or a zesty sriracha ketchup are personal favorites that complement the cheesy crispiness perfectly.

Side Dishes

Crispy Cheesy Air Fryer Tater Tots shine as a side with juicy burgers, grilled chicken, or a fresh salad for balance. They also make a fun appetizer alongside buffalo wings, sliders, or even a veggie platter with ranch dip. Their cheesy crunch pairs especially well with BBQ dishes and casual party spreads.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Any leftover Crispy Cheesy Air Fryer Tater Tots can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Just be sure they’ve cooled completely before storing to keep their texture intact.

Freezing

You can freeze uncooked tater tots by arranging them on a parchment-lined tray and freezing until solid, then transferring to a freezer-safe bag for up to 1 month. This makes it easy to enjoy freshly air-fried tots whenever you want without extra prep time.

Reheating

To reheat and regain that perfect crispiness, pop the leftover tots back into the air fryer at 380°F for about 5 minutes. Avoid microwaving, which makes them soggy and less enjoyable.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use frozen potatoes instead of fresh for this recipe?

Fresh russet potatoes deliver the best texture and flavor for this Crispy Cheesy Air Fryer Tater Tots Recipe. Frozen potatoes tend to release excess moisture, which can make the tots soggy and harder to crisp up.

What if I don’t have an air fryer? Can I bake these tots?

Absolutely! You can bake them on a parchment-lined baking sheet at 400°F for about 20-25 minutes, turning halfway through, until golden and crispy. The texture will be slightly different but still delicious.

Can I make these tots vegan or dairy-free?

You can substitute the sharp cheddar cheese with a plant-based cheese alternative that melts well. Just keep in mind that the flavor and texture might change slightly, but they’ll still be tasty.

How do I know when the tater tots are done cooking?

The tots are done when they are a rich golden brown and crispy on the outside. Air frying them at 380°F for a total of 15 minutes—10 minutes on one side, then flipping for 5 minutes—is the perfect timing for that crisp finish.

Final Thoughts

Making Crispy Cheesy Air Fryer Tater Tots from scratch is such a rewarding treat! I love how this recipe turns simple russet potatoes into crunchy, cheesy bites that everyone can’t get enough of. Whether for game day, a family snack, or a fun appetizer, these tots bring warmth and smiles to the table every time. Give them a try—you’ll be amazed at how easy and delicious homemade can be!