Air Fryer Bacon Wrapped Tater Tots are a crispy, savory, and irresistible snack that combines two of everyone’s favorite things: bacon and tater tots! The air fryer makes these little bites perfectly crispy on the outside while keeping the tater tots soft and fluffy inside, and the bacon adds a savory smokiness that pairs wonderfully with the potatoes. It’s an easy, low-effort appetizer or snack that’s sure to be a crowd-pleaser!
Here’s a simple and delicious recipe for Air Fryer Bacon Wrapped Tater Tots:
Ingredients:
- 1 bag frozen tater tots (about 20-25 pieces, depending on the size)
- 10 slices bacon, cut in half (or more depending on how many tater tots you’re making)
- Toothpicks (to secure the bacon)
- Optional: Seasoning (such as garlic powder, black pepper, smoked paprika, or ranch seasoning for extra flavor)
Instructions:
1. Prepare the Bacon:
- Preheat your air fryer to 400°F (200°C).
- Cut the bacon slices in half to create shorter pieces that will wrap around the tater tots. If you prefer crispier bacon, you can also partially cook the bacon in the microwave for 1-2 minutes to make it more pliable before wrapping, but this step is optional.
2. Wrap the Tater Tots:
- Take each frozen tater tot and wrap it with half a slice of bacon. Secure the bacon with a toothpick to keep it in place while cooking.
- Optionally, you can sprinkle the bacon-wrapped tater tots with your favorite seasoning, such as garlic powder, smoked paprika, or even ranch seasoning for extra flavor.
3. Arrange in the Air Fryer:
- Place the bacon-wrapped tater tots in the air fryer basket in a single layer. Be sure to leave a little space between each tot so that the air circulates properly and they cook evenly.
- If necessary, cook in batches, depending on the size of your air fryer.
4. Cook:
- Air fry the bacon-wrapped tater tots at 400°F (200°C) for about 10-15 minutes, or until the bacon is crispy and the tater tots are golden and hot. The cooking time may vary slightly depending on the size and brand of tater tots, as well as the thickness of the bacon.
- Halfway through cooking, shake the basket or flip the tots to ensure even cooking on both sides.
5. Serve:
- Once the bacon is crispy and the tater tots are golden and crispy, remove the toothpicks (be careful, they’ll be hot!) and serve the bacon-wrapped tater tots immediately.
- Serve with dipping sauces like ranch dressing, barbecue sauce, or ketchup.
Tips and Variations:
- Crispier Bacon: If you want your bacon even crispier, you can cook it at a slightly higher temperature (up to 420°F) for the last few minutes of cooking.
- Flavor Variations: For a spicy kick, wrap the tater tots in bacon and then sprinkle them with a bit of cayenne pepper or drizzle with hot sauce after cooking.
- Cheese Stuffed: For a cheesy surprise, you can stuff the tater tots with cheese before wrapping them in bacon. Just carefully create a small pocket in the center of the tater tot and fill it with shredded cheese (cheddar, mozzarella, or a spicy cheese blend works great).
- Cooking in Batches: Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may need to cook in batches to ensure they cook evenly. Just keep them warm in the oven at 200°F while you finish cooking the rest.
Serving Suggestions:
- These Air Fryer Bacon Wrapped Tater Tots are a perfect appetizer or snack for any gathering. They make an excellent party food, game-day snack, or movie-night treat.
- Serve alongside other finger foods like chicken wings, mozzarella sticks, or onion rings for a fun platter.
- You can also serve them as a side dish with burgers or sandwiches for an indulgent meal.
Air Fryer Bacon Wrapped Tater Tots are crispy, cheesy, and loaded with flavor. They’re a quick and easy snack that’s sure to satisfy anyone craving something savory, and the best part is they cook up so easily in the air fryer! Enjoy!
