Name: Crispy Cheesy Tater Tots in Air Fryer 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 snack time classics with a cheesy twist, you’re going to adore this Crispy Cheesy Tater Tots in Air Fryer Recipe. Crispy on the outside, melty and cheesy on the inside, these homemade tots are pure comfort food magic made easy!

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 Tater Tots in Air Fryer Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Crispy Cheesy Tater Tots in Air Fryer Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
Crispy Cheesy Tater Tots in Air Fryer Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

I can’t get enough of these Crispy Cheesy Tater Tots made in the air fryer! They’re the perfect little bites for game day, a family snack, or whenever those cheesy potato cravings hit. Plus, it feels so good crafting them from scratch with simple ingredients.

Real homemade flavor: No frozen shortcuts here — just fresh potatoes and cheese.
Air fryer magic: Achieve golden, crispy tots without the deep-frying mess.
Simple ingredients: Pantry staples come together to create something special.
Easy to customize: Mix in your favorite cheeses or spices for your perfect snack.

Ingredients & Why They Work

For this recipe, fresh russet potatoes are the star, providing the perfect starchy base that crisps beautifully. Sharp cheddar cheese adds that irresistible tang and melty goodness, balanced with simple seasoning and just a bit of flour to hold everything together.

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 high starch content is ideal for crispy tater tots that hold their shape.
Sharp cheddar cheese: Gives every bite a rich, tangy flavor and gooey texture.
All-purpose flour: A small amount helps bind the tots without weighing them down.
Kosher salt: Enhances all the flavors perfectly.
Black pepper: Adds a gentle kick of warmth to complement the cheese.

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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 parts of this Crispy Cheesy Tater Tots in Air Fryer Recipe is how easily you can customize it to match your taste buds or dietary needs. Feel free to get creative and make these tots truly your own!

Extra Cheesy: I love adding a little extra sharp cheddar or mixing in some mozzarella for an even gooier, melty center. It takes the tots to a whole new level of indulgence!
Spicy Kick: For a bit of heat, toss in some cayenne pepper or smoked paprika to the potato mixture. It adds a lovely smoky warmth that pairs perfectly with the cheesy goodness.
Herb Infusion: Fresh herbs like chopped chives, parsley, or thyme mixed right into the batter add brightness and fresh flavors that make these tots pop.
Cheese Swap: Don’t have sharp cheddar on hand? Pepper jack gives a nice spicy twist, or try a mild swiss or gouda for a different flavor profile.
Gluten-Free Version: Swap the all-purpose flour for a gluten-free flour blend or even almond flour. Just adjust as needed if the mixture feels too wet or dry.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Crispy Cheesy Tater Tots in Air Fryer 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: Boil the Potatoes Just Right

Start by placing your washed russet potatoes into a pot of cold salted water. Bring the water up to a boil, then turn the heat down to low so they simmer gently for 15 minutes. You’re looking for potatoes that are tender enough for a fork to pierce but still firm enough to hold their shape—this texture is key for great tots! Once done, drain and let them cool for about 15 minutes or until they’re comfortable to handle. This cooling step prevents them from becoming too watery when grated.

Step 2: Grate Your Potatoes and Mix

Once your potatoes are cool, grate them using a box grater or food processor and transfer all that fluffy goodness into a large mixing bowl. Then add in 1½ cups of sharp cheddar cheese, 3 tablespoons of all-purpose flour, 1 teaspoon kosher salt, and ½ teaspoon black pepper. Give everything a good mix so the cheese and seasonings are fully incorporated. If you find the mix a little on the wet side, sprinkle in a bit more flour to help bind your tater tots.

Step 3: Shape Your Tots with Care

Lay out a large sheet of parchment paper to keep things neat and prevent sticking. Scoop about a tablespoon of the potato mixture at a time and shape it into classic cylindrical tater tot forms. Placing them on parchment as you go makes transferring to the air fryer a breeze. This is a fun part—getting your tots just right and ready to crisp up perfectly.

Step 4: Air Fry to Crispy Perfection

Preheat your air fryer to 380°F and lightly spray the basket with nonstick cooking spray to avoid sticking. Arrange the shaped tots in a single layer — depending on your air fryer’s size, you might need to cook in batches. Lightly spray the tops of the tots with cooking spray to help them brown beautifully. Cook for 10 minutes, then carefully flip each tot over and air fry another 5 minutes until they’re gloriously golden and crispy all over.

Step 5: Serve Immediately and Enjoy!

Take your crispy cheesy tater tots out of the air fryer and dive in while they’re hot, melty, and irresistible. These are best enjoyed fresh for the ultimate crunchy-cheesy experience. If you have leftovers, reheat them briefly in the air fryer to bring back that perfect crispness.

Top Tip

Getting crispy, golden tater tots just right can be a bit of an art, but these tips will make your Crispy Cheesy Tater Tots in Air Fryer Recipe turn out perfectly every time!

Cool Your Potatoes Before Grating: I learned the hard way that grating hot potatoes releases too much moisture, making the tots soggy. Let them cool thoroughly for that perfect texture.
Don’t Skip the Flour: If your mixture feels wetter than expected, adding a bit more flour really helps bind everything together so your tots hold their shape during air frying.
Use Parchment Paper When Shaping: It keeps the mixture from sticking and makes transferring the tots into the air fryer basket so much easier.
Lightly Spray Oil Twice: Spraying the basket before cooking and the tots themselves before air frying helps you get that irresistible golden crisp on every side.

How to Serve Crispy Cheesy Tater Tots in Air Fryer 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 freshly chopped chives or green onions on top for a pop of color and mild onion flavor. A dollop of sour cream or a drizzle of spicy sriracha mayo pairs beautifully with the cheesy, crispy tots. For a little fresh zing, a squeeze of lemon over the top works great too!

Side Dishes

Crispy Cheesy Tater Tots are perfect alongside a fresh garden salad, tangy coleslaw, or classic dipping sauces like ketchup and ranch. They also make a fantastic appetizer paired with buffalo wings or loaded nachos for game day vibes!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Store any leftover tater tots in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. They’re best enjoyed fresh, but properly stored leftovers keep their flavor and texture nicely.

Freezing

For longer storage, freeze the shaped but uncooked tater tots on a parchment-lined tray until firm. Then transfer them to a freezer-safe bag or container. They keep well in the freezer for up to 1 month.

Reheating

To reheat leftovers, pop the tater tots back in the air fryer at 380°F for 3–5 minutes until warmed through and crispy again. This revives their delicious melty-cheesy goodness without drying them out.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use frozen shredded potatoes instead of fresh russet potatoes?

Fresh russet potatoes work best for this recipe because they hold together well after boiling and grating. Frozen shredded potatoes usually have excess moisture, which can make the tots soggy and harder to form. If you must use frozen, thaw and drain them very thoroughly before mixing.

What cheese besides sharp cheddar can I use?

Sharp cheddar adds a nice tang, but you can also try mozzarella for a milder, melty tot or pepper jack for some spice. Just make sure to use a cheese that melts well and complements the potato flavor.

How do I prevent the tater tots from falling apart?

Ensuring your potatoes are cooled before grating and mixing with enough flour helps bind the mixture. Also, handle the tots gently when shaping and flipping in the air fryer. Using parchment paper to shape and spray with oil to crisp helps them hold their structure.

Can I make these tater tots vegan?

To make vegan crispy cheesy tater tots, substitute the sharp cheddar cheese with your favorite plant-based cheese. Make sure it melts well to mimic the texture and flavor, and double-check your air fryer sprays are vegan-friendly too.

Final Thoughts

There’s something truly satisfying about homemade Crispy Cheesy Tater Tots in Air Fryer Recipe — the golden crust, the gooey cheese, and the tender potato inside all come together to create a snack that’s hard to resist. Whether you’re making these for a crowd or enjoying them as an indulgent treat, I hope these tips and serving ideas help you savor every bite. Happy cooking and happy snacking!