If you’re craving a snack that’s irresistibly golden, cheesy, and downright addictive, then you’ve got to try this Crispy Cheesy Air Fryer Tater Tots Recipe. These DIY tots turn humble potatoes into crunchy bites with melting cheddar—all crispy perfection thanks to the magic of the air fryer.
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
I adore making these crispy cheesy tater tots from scratch because they’re comfort food at its best—rich, flavorful, and way better than store-bought. Plus, whipping them up in the air fryer means less oil but all the crunch.
- Perfectly Crispy Every Time: The air fryer seals in all that cheesy goodness while giving you that ideal crunchy outside.
- Simple Ingredients: Just potatoes, sharp cheddar, flour, and seasonings—easy to find and easy to mix!
- Fun to Make: Shredding potatoes and forming tots feels like a mini kitchen project you’ll actually enjoy.
- Healthier Snack Option: Air frying cuts down on grease without sacrificing taste or texture.
Ingredients & Why They Work
For the best crispy cheesy air fryer tater tots, you want to pick the right potatoes and cheese, plus a couple key pantry staples that bring it all together. Here’s the rundown so you can shop smart and prep confidently.

- Russet Potatoes: These are your go-to because their starchy texture makes for crispy, fluffy tots when air fried.
- Sharp Cheddar Cheese: Adds that melty, tangy bite that makes these tots absolutely addictive.
- All-Purpose Flour: Acts as the binding agent helping your tots hold their shape with a tender, chewy interior.
- Kosher Salt: Enhances all the flavors without overpowering, keeping everything balanced.
- Black Pepper: A little kick that brings warmth and depth to the cheesy potatoes.
Make It Your Way
The great thing about this Crispy Cheesy Air Fryer Tater Tots Recipe is how easy it is to customize. Whether you want to add a little extra flavor, swap ingredients to suit your diet, or just experiment with new textures, these tots are a fantastic blank canvas.
- Herb-Infused Tots: Try mixing in fresh herbs like chopped chives, parsley, or rosemary into the potato mixture before shaping. I absolutely loved the burst of freshness that chives brought to my batch—it made every bite brighter!
- Spicy Kick: Add a pinch of smoked paprika or a dash of cayenne pepper to the seasoning for a little heat. It’s perfect if you want your cheesy tots to have a bit of a bold personality.
- Cheese Swaps: Don’t limit yourself to sharp cheddar. Mozzarella adds gooey stretchiness, Monterey Jack offers a milder melt, and pepper jack introduces a spicy note. I’ve found mixing cheddar and mozzarella gives a nice balance of flavor and meltiness.
- Make It Gluten-Free: Simply substitute the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend to keep the tots gluten-free without compromising their structure or crispness.
- Seasonal Veggie Boost: Finely grate in some cooked sweet potato or carrot for a little natural sweetness and extra nutrition. It also adds a colorful twist!
Step-by-Step: How I Make Crispy Cheesy Air Fryer Tater Tots Recipe

Step 1: Boil the Potatoes Just Right
First, I place the washed russet potatoes in a pot filled with cold salted water. Bringing them up to a gentle boil ensures even cooking. I simmer the potatoes for about 15 minutes—enough time for a fork to pierce them while still keeping the center firm. This step is crucial because you don’t want your tots to fall apart later. Once done, draining and letting them cool for around 15 minutes makes grating easier and prevents clumping.
Step 2: Grate, Mix, and Season
After the potatoes have cooled to the touch, I grab a coarse grater and shred them carefully into a large bowl. The texture at this point is key—coarse shreds give you that perfect crispy outside and tender inside. Then I add 1½ cups of shredded sharp cheddar cheese, 3 tablespoons of all-purpose flour, 1 teaspoon kosher salt, and ½ teaspoon black pepper. Mixing everything thoroughly ensures every tot has that melty, cheesy goodness and balanced seasoning.
Step 3: Shape Your Tots
Next, I prepare a large sheet of parchment paper—which helps prevent sticking while shaping. I scoop out about one tablespoon of the potato mixture and shape it carefully into a small cylinder. Making sure the tots are compact but not overly compressed helps them hold together while cooking but stay fluffy inside. This batch yields about 24 tots, which is perfect for sharing or enjoying as a hearty snack.
Step 4: Heat Up the Air Fryer and Get Cooking
I preheat my air fryer to 380°F (193°C) and spray the basket lightly with nonstick cooking spray to prevent any sticking issues. Then I arrange the tots neatly in a single layer—crowding isn’t allowed! If your basket is small, cooking in batches is a must to ensure even crispiness. A quick spritz of cooking spray on top helps them brown beautifully.
Step 5: Flip and Finish Crisping
After cooking for 10 minutes, I carefully flip each tot with tongs or a fork. This step is what guarantees that irresistible golden crust on every side. Cooking them for an additional 5 minutes finishes the process, delivering crunchy, cheesy bites every time.
Step 6: Serve and Enjoy Immediately
I always serve these tater tots hot from the air fryer, as they taste best fresh and crispy. Pair them with your favorite dipping sauce like ketchup, ranch dressing, or a spicy aioli. Trust me, they disappear fast!
Top Tip
These tips will help you master the art of making perfectly crispy, cheesy tater tots every time—and make the whole process easier and more enjoyable!
- Cooling the Potatoes: Letting the boiled potatoes cool completely before grating prevents the mixture from becoming gummy and helps achieve that coveted crispy texture.
- Pat Dry for Crispiness: >I always pat the grated potatoes dry with paper towels before mixing in the cheese and flour; it really cuts down on excess moisture, which can make tots soggy.
- Don’t Overcrowd the Air Fryer: >Cooking the tots in a single layer ensures that hot air circulates evenly, giving you that perfect golden crunch on all sides.
- Flip for Even Browning: >Flipping the tots halfway through the cooking process is a small step that makes a big difference in crispiness and color.
How to Serve Crispy Cheesy Air Fryer Tater Tots Recipe

Garnishes
Sprinkle your tots with fresh chopped chives, parsley, or green onions to add a pop of color and fresh flavor. A light dusting of smoked paprika or a drizzle of sriracha mayo can also elevate the taste and presentation.
Side Dishes
These crispy cheesy tots make a perfect companion to burgers, fried chicken, or sloppy joes. For a lighter pairing, serve alongside a fresh garden salad or roasted veggies. They also work wonderfully as a fun appetizer at game day parties paired with your favorite dipping sauces like ranch, honey mustard, or spicy ketchup.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Store any leftover tots in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. They’re best enjoyed within this time frame to keep that delightful crispness.
Freezing
To freeze, lay the shaped tots in a single layer on a parchment-lined baking sheet and freeze until solid (about 2 hours). Then transfer them to a freezer-safe bag or container. Frozen tots will keep well for up to 1 month.
Reheating
Reheat leftover or frozen tots in your air fryer at 380°F for 5-7 minutes until they’re hot and crispy again. Avoid microwaving if you want to keep that signature crunch.
Frequently Asked Questions:
While russet potatoes are recommended for their starchy texture and crispiness, you can experiment with Yukon Gold potatoes, but the tots may turn out a bit less crispy.
Preheating to 380°F ensures the tots start cooking immediately, leading to a crispier exterior. It’s a step worth not skipping!
Yes! Simply swap the sharp cheddar for your favorite vegan cheese alternative. The texture might vary slightly but should still taste delicious.
Classic choices like ranch, ketchup, or spicy mayo are fantastic. For a gourmet twist, try garlic aioli or a tangy sriracha sauce.
Final Thoughts
There’s something wonderfully comforting about homemade tater tots, especially when they’re crispy, cheesy, and air-fried to perfection. This Crispy Cheesy Air Fryer Tater Tots Recipe combines the nostalgic joy of a classic snack with a fresh, healthier twist. I hope these tips and ideas inspire you to make this recipe again and again, sharing the love — one golden tot at a time.
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Crispy Cheesy Air Fryer Tater Tots Recipe
- Prep Time: 45 minutes
- Cooling Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour
- Yield: 24 tots
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Air Frying
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Air Fryer Cheesy Tater Tots are crispy, golden bites made from shredded russet potatoes mixed with sharp cheddar cheese, flour, and seasonings, formed into tots and cooked to perfection in the air fryer. This homemade appetizer combines the comfort of cheesy potatoes with the convenience of air frying for a healthier twist on a classic snack.
Ingredients
Potatoes
- 4 medium russet potatoes, washed
Cheese and Binding
- 1½ cups sharp cheddar cheese, grated
- 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
Seasoning
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- Boil Potatoes: Place the washed russet potatoes into a pot of cold salted water. Bring the water to a boil, then reduce heat to low and simmer for 15 minutes, or until a fork can pierce the potatoes but they remain firm.
- Cool and Grate Potatoes: Drain the potatoes and let them cool for about 15 minutes until they are cool to the touch. Grate the potatoes using a coarse grater and transfer to a large mixing bowl.
- Mix Ingredients: Add the grated sharp cheddar cheese, all-purpose flour, kosher salt, and black pepper to the bowl with grated potatoes. Mix thoroughly to combine everything evenly.
- Form Tater Tots: Lay out a large sheet of parchment paper. Scoop 1 tablespoon of the potato mixture and shape it into a small cylindrical tater tot. Place it on the parchment and repeat until all mixture is used.
- Preheat Air Fryer: Preheat your air fryer to 380°F (193°C). Spray the air fryer basket with nonstick cooking spray to prevent sticking.
- Cook Tater Tots: Arrange the tater tots in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Depending on your air fryer size, cook in batches as needed. Spray the tots lightly with cooking spray or oil. Cook for 10 minutes.
- Flip and Continue Cooking: After 10 minutes, carefully flip each tater tot to ensure even cooking and crispiness. Cook for an additional 5 minutes until golden and crisp.
- Serve Immediately: Remove the air-fried cheesy tater tots from the basket and serve hot as a delicious appetizer or snack.
Notes
- Use russet potatoes for best texture and crispiness.
- Make sure the potatoes are cooled before grating to avoid clumping.
- For extra crispiness, pat the grated potatoes dry with a paper towel before mixing.
- You can substitute sharp cheddar with your favorite melting cheese like mozzarella or Monterey Jack.
- If you don't have parchment paper, lightly grease a flat surface to shape tots.
- Do not overcrowd the air fryer basket; cook in batches if necessary to ensure even cooking.
- Leftover tots can be reheated in the air fryer for a few minutes to maintain crispness.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4 tots
- Calories: 180 kcal
- Sugar: 0.5 g
- Sodium: 300 mg
- Fat: 9 g
- Saturated Fat: 5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 20 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 6 g
- Cholesterol: 20 mg




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