Loaded Air Fryer Tater Tots

Frozen tater tots air fried with bacon and topped with melted cheddar cheese, crispy bacon pieces, sour cream, and chives.

Prep Time 5

Cook Time 20

Total Time 25

Servings Servings

Calories 325kcal

Author Mason Woodruff

Ingredients

1 pound Frozen Tater Tots
3 slices Bacon cut in half
1/2 cup Shredded Cheddar Cheese*
1/4 cup 60g Sour Cream
1/2-1 teaspoon Ranch Seasoning optional
1 tablespoon Chopped Chives or Scallions

Instructions

Place the frozen tater tots in an even layer inside an air fryer basket.
Add the bacon on top of the tots and air fry for 12-15 minutes at 350ºF or until the bacon is fully cooked and as crispy as you'd like. Be sure to check on the bacon early to avoid burning, as every air fryer is different.
Set the cooked bacon aside, give the tater tots a shake, and air fry an additional 5 minutes or so at 400ºF until the tots are a crispy golden brown.
Add the shredded cheddar on top of the tots and close the air fryer lid for 30-60 seconds to melt the cheese with residual heat.
Crumble or chop the cooked bacon and add to the top of the cheesy tater tots with the sour cream and chives. (If you want to add ranch seasoning, mix it into the sour cream before adding.) Serve immediately.

Notes

* American cheese also makes great cheese tots. For more ingredient substitution notes and tips for making healthier tots, see the post above.

Making Larger Batches

To use an entire bag of tots, keep the bacon on top for the first stint in the air fryer. Once the bacon cooks, extend the cook time for the tots at 400ºF as needed to get the entire batch golden brown. You'll want to be sure to shake several times for even cooking.

I would increase the amount of cheese used and possibly create layers by removing some of the tots, adding cheese and crumbled bacon, and adding the remaining tots before topping with cheese.

Nutrition