Tater Tots Recipe
Tater tots seasoned with your choice of salt & pepper, cajun seasoning, or rib rub seasoning.
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Ingredients
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Tater tots
Seasoning options (choose 1)
Optional finishing & dipping
Method
Preparation
Preheat
Preheat oven to 425°F (220°C). If using an air fryer, preheat to 400°F (200°C). Place a rimmed baking sheet in the oven while it preheats for better crisping.
Select your seasoning: (A) salt & pepper, (B) cajun seasoning, or (C) rib rub seasoning. Measure chosen seasoning and set aside. If using salt & pepper, combine salt and black pepper in a small bowl.
Coating and arranging
If you want extra crisp, toss the frozen tots briefly with 1 tablespoon oil in a large bowl so they get a light coating. This step is optional — tots will crisp without added oil but oil helps browning.
Place tater tots in a single layer on the preheated rimmed baking sheet, leaving a small gap between pieces for air circulation. If using an air fryer, place tots in the basket in a single layer (may need batches).
Lightly sprinkle the measured seasoning evenly over the arranged tots, turning or shaking the pan once halfway through cooking to redistribute seasoning and promote even browning. For salt & pepper: evenly dust with the combined mix. For cajun or rib rub: sprinkle evenly so each tot has a light coating.
Baking / Air-frying
Oven method: Bake on the preheated sheet for 20–25 minutes, turning or shaking the pan once at about 12 minutes, until tots are golden brown and crisp. If needed, broil 1–2 minutes at the end to deepen color — watch closely to prevent burning.
Air-fryer method: Cook at 400°F (200°C) for 12–16 minutes, shaking the basket every 5 minutes. Cook until golden and crisp.