This post may contain affiliate links. Please see our disclosure policy.

These Air Fryer Loaded Tater Tots are wonderfully crunchy outside and fluffy inside. Cooked to crispy golden-brown perfection with gooey cheese and salty bacon bits every time.

Loaded Tater Tots in the basket of the air fryer.

These homemade tater tots are quick and easy to make with just a handful of ingredients. In about 15 minutes you can be devouring this simple recipe that makes a fun snack.               

WHY YOU WILL LOVE THIS LOADED TATER TOTS RECIPE

You will love this recipe because they are delicious bites of goodness. Loaded tater tots make quick snacks, tasty appetizers or a fun side dish for a weeknight meal.   

These cheesy tater tots make this kid friendly snack a hit with kids of all ages. They are perfect to make and munch on for a family game or movie night.

Want to save this recipe?
Enter your email below & we’ll send it straight to your inbox. Plus you’ll get more great recipes and tips from us each week!
Please enable JavaScript in your browser to complete this form.

Ingredients:

  • tater tots (frozen)
  • cooked bacon (crumbled)
  • shredded cheddar cheese
  • jalapenos (sliced and deseeded)

Optional Additional Flavors: Garlic powder, chili powder, ranch dressing powder or ancho chili powder.

Plate full of frozen tater tots, and cheese, bacon, and jalapenos in bowls on a table.

How to Make Loaded Tater Tots in the Air Fryer

  1. Prepare the air fryer basket with olive oil nonstick cooking spray or line basket with parchment paper.

  2. Add the tater tots in a single layer into the basket.

  3. Air fry the frozen tater tots at 400 degrees F for 12-14 minutes, or until crispy and golden brown.

    Frozen tater tots in the basket of the air fryer.

  4. Top the cooked tater tots with crispy bacon pieces, shredded cheese, and jalapeno slices.

    Air fried tater tots topped with cheese, bacon, and jalapeno slices.

  5. Air fry for an additional 2 minutes at 400 degrees F, until the cheese is fully melted, and tater tot batch is golden brown.

    Air fried loaded tater tots in the basket of the air fryer, ready to serve.

  6. Carefully remove and serve on a hot plate to keep cheese melted.

    Loaded Tater Tots in a hot plate, ready to eat.

  7. Serve with your favorite dipping sauce.

Optional Favorite Dipping Sauce: Ranch dressing, creamy queso, barbecue sauce, hot sauce or chili cheese dip.

Optional Additional Favorite Toppings: Green onion, refried beans, sour cream, gooey cheese sauce, black beans, avocado slices or chopped parsley. 

Cooking Tips: Cook bacon in air fryer before tater tots because it will save time and add a bit of extra flavor to the tater tots.

Substitutions: Use sharp cheddar cheese, American cheese, Colby jack cheese or any other good melty cheese in this recipe.

I make this recipe in my Cosori 5.8 qt. air fryer. Depending on your air fryer, size and wattages, cooking time may need to be adjusted 1-2 minutes.

Close up of loaded tater tots made in the air fryer and served on a white plate.

FAQ’s

What can I serve with this dish?

These are simply divine eaten on their own but if you want to make it a complete meal here are a few ideas. They will be scrumptious with crispy Dorito chicken, herbaceous London broil or flakey fish fillets. They will also be wonderful with a fresh spinach salad or roasted vegetables.

How to store leftovers?

Allow air fryer tater tots to completely cool prior to storing them. Place them in an airtight container in your refrigerator for up to 3 days. If you are planning on freezing them place them in a freezer proof container for up to 2 months. 

Can I make other dishes with tater tots?

Absolutely! Tater tot nachos and smashed tater tot hashbrowns are two favorite dishes that I make. A couple of others are tater tot skewers with steak bites, mushrooms and peppers or a tater tot casserole dish.

Do I have to use frozen tater tots?

No, you do not have to use frozen tater tots for this recipe. However frozen tater tots are all the same size, so they cook evenly and are a huge time saver. Making your own tater tots from scratch can be done it just takes a lot more time making the potato mixture and rolling them all the same size to cook through evenly. 

Overhead shot of loaded tater tots on a white plate.

MORE AIR FRYER RECIPES

We Would Love to Hear From YOU!

Let Us Know What You Think!

Be sure to leave a review of this recipe and give it a star rating. It lets us know how we are doing and lets others know they should try it!

Tag Us In Your Photos! Are you on Facebook? If so, join our Easy Air Fryer Recipes Group (with hundreds of thousands of Air Fryer Foodie Fans!) and share your photos! We love to see your creations.

Are you on Instagram? Follow along and TAG US @airfryingfoodie.

Have a Question or General Feedback?

Jump down to the COMMENT section and let us know! We would love to help and also love feedback on all of our posts.

If you enjoyed this recipe, please consider leaving a STAR ⭐️ RATING in the COMMENTS 📝 SECTION below.

Loaded tater tots on a white plate with a dollop of sour cream, ready to serve.
5 from 3 votes
Servings: 4

Air Fryer Loaded Tater Tots

By Jen
These Air Fryer Loaded Tater Tots are wonderfully crunchy outside and fluffy inside. Cooked to crispy golden-brown perfection with gooey cheese and salty bacon bits every time.
Prep: 5 minutes
Cook: 22 minutes
Save this recipe!
Get this sent to your inbox, plus get new recipes from us every week!
Please enable JavaScript in your browser to complete this form.

Equipment

  • 1 Air Fryer

Ingredients 

  • 1 1/2 cups tater tots, frozen
  • 2 pieces bacon, cooked, crumbled
  • 2/3 cup cheddar cheese, shredded
  • 1/4 cup jalapeno pepper, sliced, deseeded

Instructions 

  • Prepare the air fryer basket with olive oil nonstick cooking spray or line basket with parchment paper.
  • Add the tater tots in a single layer into the basket.
  • Air fry the frozen tater tots at 400 degrees F for 12-14 minutes, or until crispy and golden brown.
  • Top the cooked tater tots with crispy bacon pieces, shredded cheese, and jalapeno slices.
  • Air fry for an additional 2 minutes at 400 degrees F, until cheese is fully melted, and tater tot batch is golden brown.
  • Carefully remove and serve on a hot plate to keep cheese melted.
  • Serve with your favorite dipping sauce.

Notes

Optional Favorite Dipping Sauce: Ranch dressing, creamy queso, barbecue sauce, hot sauce or chili cheese dip.
Optional Additional Favorite Toppings: Green onion, refried beans, sour cream, gooey cheese sauce, black beans, avocado slices or chopped parsley. 
Cooking Tips: Cook bacon in air fryer before tater tots because it will save time and add a bit of extra flavor to the tater tots.
Substitutions: Use sharp cheddar cheese, American cheese, Colby jack cheese or any other good melty cheese in this recipe.
I make this recipe in my Cosori 5.8 qt. air fryer. Depending on your air fryer, size and wattages, cooking time may need to be adjusted 1-2 minutes.

Nutrition

Serving: 4g, Calories: 171kcal, Carbohydrates: 13g, Protein: 6g, Fat: 11g, Saturated Fat: 4g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g, Monounsaturated Fat: 3g, Cholesterol: 19mg, Sodium: 490mg, Potassium: 158mg, Fiber: 1g, Sugar: 0.4g, Vitamin A: 335IU, Vitamin C: 4mg, Calcium: 142mg, Iron: 0.4mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Like this? Leave a comment below!

Jen Gamble

You May Also Like

5 from 3 votes (3 ratings without comment)

Leave a comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating