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’ve ever wanted to level up your snack game, this Crispy Cheesy Air Fryer Tater Tots Recipe is exactly what you need. Imagine golden, crunchy bites packed with cheesy goodness, all made from scratch in your air fryer—easy, fun, and totally addicting!

A pile of golden brown tater tots with a crispy surface, some showing small browned spots, spread on a brown parchment paper on a wooden table. Light green chopped herbs are sprinkled over the tots and around them. Below the pile, there are two small round wooden bowls filled with sauces: one is red ketchup and the other is a light orange creamy sauce. The overall scene is warm and rustic. 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

I can’t get enough of these homemade cheesy tater tots—they deliver that crispy outside and melty inside combo that’s impossible to resist. Whenever I make a batch, they disappear fast, and I’m always asked for the recipe.

Made From Scratch: You get to control the flavor and texture by starting with fresh potatoes and sharp cheddar cheese.
Quick & Easy: Using the air fryer speeds up the cooking time while keeping them perfectly crispy.
Perfectly Crispy: The air fryer works its magic to create golden-brown tots without deep frying.
Great for Sharing: These tots make an amazing appetizer or snack for any occasion, guaranteed to impress your guests.

Ingredients & Why They Work

Before we dive into making these crispy cheesy tots, let's talk ingredients. The magic here is all about balance—starchy potatoes, sharp cheddar for that melty cheese punch, and just enough flour and seasoning to hold everything together perfectly.

Flat lay of fresh whole russet potatoes with rough brown skins, a small mound of finely grated sharp cheddar cheese in a simple white ceramic bowl, a small white ceramic bowl filled with fine all-purpose flour, a small white ceramic bowl containing coarse kosher salt crystals, a small white ceramic bowl with freshly ground black pepper, placed 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: These starchy potatoes crisp up beautifully in the air fryer for that perfect tot texture.
Sharp cheddar cheese: Gives the tots a rich, tangy flavor that melts into every bite.
All-purpose flour: Just enough to bind everything without making the tots dense.
Kosher salt: Enhances all the flavors perfectly without overpowering.
Black pepper: Adds a subtle kick to balance the cheese’s richness.

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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 to suit your taste buds or dietary needs. Feel free to get creative and experiment with add-ins or seasonings to make these tots truly your own.

Cheesy Herb Twist: I love adding a teaspoon of fresh chopped chives or parsley to the potato mixture for a bright, fresh flavor that pairs perfectly with the sharp cheddar.
Spicy Kick: Sometimes I sprinkle in a pinch of smoked paprika or a dash of cayenne pepper to give the tots a little heat and smoky depth — a crowd-pleaser for spice lovers!
Gluten-Free Option: Swap the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend or a bit of cornstarch to keep these tots crispy and safe for gluten-sensitive friends.
Vegan Variation: Use a dairy-free cheese alternative and experiment with chickpea or rice flour in place of all-purpose flour. They come out surprisingly tasty and still crispy!
Mix in Veggies: Finely diced sautéed onions or bell peppers folded into the potato mixture add a nice burst of flavor and color, perfect for a fun twist on this classic snack.

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

A close-up image of a woman's hand holding a small, golden-brown tater tot with a bite taken out, showing its soft, light yellow inside texture. The background is filled with more similar golden, crispy tater tots scattered on a white marbled surface, slightly blurred to keep focus on the held tot. The lighting highlights the crispiness and warm color tones of the tater tots. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Step 1: Boil to Just the Right Tenderness

Start by placing your washed russet potatoes into a pot of cold salted water. Bring the water to a boil over high heat, then reduce to low and let the potatoes simmer gently for about 15 minutes. You want them tender enough to pierce with a fork but still firm—this is crucial because overcooked potatoes will be too mushy to hold their shape when formed into tots. Once done, drain them and allow to cool for about 15 minutes until they're easy to handle.

Step 2: Grate and Mix Your Flavorful Potato Base

Once your potatoes have cooled completely, grate them into a large bowl using the coarse side of your grater. The cool temperatures help prevent the potatoes from clumping together. Next, add in the sharp cheddar cheese, all-purpose flour, kosher salt, and black pepper. Stir everything well until the mixture is uniform and sticky enough to hold its shape but not too wet. This blend of cheese and seasoning is what gives your tots their irresistible melty, savory bite.

Step 3: Shape Into Perfect Little Tots

Lay out a large sheet of parchment paper on your countertop. Using a tablespoon, scoop out the potato mixture and carefully shape it into small cylindrical tots with your hands. It helps to keep your hands slightly damp or lightly oiled to avoid sticking. Place each tot on the parchment paper. Repeat until all the mixture is shaped—this recipe should yield around 24 crispy cheesy tots.

Step 4: Preheat and Prepare Your Air Fryer

Set your air fryer to preheat at 380°F. While it warms up, give the air fryer basket a light spray of nonstick cooking spray to prevent sticking. A quick tip: don’t skip this step as it makes flipping and cleaning so much easier!

Step 5: Cook Your Tater Tots to Crispy Perfection

Arrange the tots in a single layer inside the preheated air fryer basket. Avoid overcrowding—if your air fryer isn’t big enough, cook them in batches. Lightly spray the tops of the tots with cooking spray for extra crispiness. Cook for 10 minutes, then carefully flip each tot over to ensure they get golden brown and crispy on all sides. Continue cooking for another 5 minutes. Keep an eye on them—perfectly crispy tots come out hot, melty, and golden!

Step 6: Serve Hot and Enjoy!

Remove your crispy cheesy tater tots from the air fryer and serve immediately. They’re fantastic on their own or paired with your favorite dipping sauces like ketchup, ranch, or a spicy aioli. Leftovers store well in an airtight container in the fridge and reheat beautifully in the air fryer to maintain that crisp exterior.

Top Tip

These tips will help you get the crispiest, cheesiest, and most flavorful results when making this Crispy Cheesy Air Fryer Tater Tots Recipe. Trust me, a few little tricks make all the difference!

Use Russet Potatoes: They’re perfect for that classic crispy exterior and fluffy interior—mine always turn out better with russets than other types.
Cool Potatoes Completely Before Grating: Hot potatoes tend to clump and get gummy. Letting them cool ensures the texture stays just right for shaping your tots.
Don’t Overcrowd the Air Fryer: I learned the hard way that giving each tot some breathing room lets the air circulate so they come out golden and crisp all over.
Flip Midway Through Cooking: Flipping after 10 minutes guarantees an even crispy finish on every side without burning.

How to Serve Crispy Cheesy Air Fryer Tater Tots Recipe

The image shows a baking tray lined with white parchment paper, filled with five neat rows of small, rectangular dough pieces with visible orange flecks throughout, suggesting cheese mixed inside. Each dough piece is evenly spaced and has a slightly rough texture on the surface. To the right of the tray lies a metal scoop filled with the same dough. The tray sits on a white marbled surface. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Garnishes

Sprinkle fresh chopped chives or green onions on top for a pop of color and mild oniony bite. A little dollop of sour cream or a drizzle of spicy sriracha mayo makes for a perfect cooling or zesty companion. For extra indulgence, melted extra sharp cheddar or crispy bacon bits add irresistible crunchy goodness.

Side Dishes

Crispy Cheesy Air Fryer Tater Tots make a fantastic appetizer or snack alongside spicy buffalo wings, a fresh garden salad, or even your favorite burger. They also pair beautifully with a tangy homemade barbecue sauce or classic ketchup.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Store any leftover tater tots in an airtight container in the refrigerator. They’ll keep well for up to 3 days, making them ideal for quick snacks or additions to meals later in the week.

Freezing

You can freeze uncooked tater tots by arranging them in a single layer on a parchment-lined baking sheet and freezing until solid. Transfer to a freezer-safe bag or container and store for up to 1 month. When ready to enjoy, cook them straight from frozen in the air fryer at the same temperature, increasing cooking time by a few minutes if needed.

Reheating

For the best texture, reheat leftover tater tots in the air fryer at 380°F for about 5 minutes. This revives their crispy exterior while warming the cheesy interior perfectly without sogginess.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use frozen potatoes instead of fresh russets?

Fresh russet potatoes work best for this recipe because their starchy texture crisps up perfectly in the air fryer. Frozen potatoes often contain added moisture and preservatives that can affect the final texture and crispiness.

Do I have to flip the tater tots during cooking?

Yes! Flipping the tater tots halfway through ensures they brown evenly on all sides and helps achieve that irresistible crispy crust without burning.

Can I add other seasonings to the potato mixture?

Absolutely! Adding a pinch of garlic powder, smoked paprika, or even some chopped herbs can enhance the flavor. Just keep in mind that too much moisture can affect the texture, so use powders or dried herbs sparingly.

How do I prevent the tater tots from sticking to the air fryer basket?

Lightly spraying the air fryer basket with nonstick cooking spray before placing the tots in helps prevent sticking. Also, avoid overcrowding so you don’t have tots touching while cooking.

Final Thoughts

Making this Crispy Cheesy Air Fryer Tater Tots Recipe from scratch is such a rewarding experience—you get that perfect combo of crunchy outside, gooey cheese inside, and a comforting homemade flavor. I hope these tips and ideas inspire you to enjoy these cheesy bites again and again, whether as a snack, appetizer, or party favorite. Happy cooking and happy snacking!