Gluten Free Tater Tots

These 5 ingredient homemade gluten-free tater tots are super crispy on the outside and light and fluffy on the inside. Plus, they're healthy since you can air fry or oven-bake them without oil. You'll never have to buy store-bought tots again!

Homemade crispy gluten-free tater tots

I seriously cannot believe how crispy these homemade tater tots are without deep frying them in oil. They are air-fried or oven-baked, not fried, and they're made with naturally gluten-free ingredients to make them safe for celiacs and gluten-free eaters. If you are new around here, my boyfriend has celiac, so I have gotten so good at making the best gluten-free recipes that taste better than the real thing.

One of the best things about this easy recipe, besides the flavor, of course, is the fact that these tots only require 5 ingredients. Forget about buying endless things at the store or caving to pre-made frozen tots filled with preservatives and unrecognizable ingredients. I'm telling you, once you make these homemade gluten-free tater tots, you'll never go back.

The base recipe is very simple. Russet potatoes, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, pepper, and a touch of gluten-free flour. If you are feeling adventurous, add chopped chives, fresh parsley, bacon, onion, or even cheddar cheese! 

Tots are the best Game Day appetizer, dinner side dish, and snack! They are soft and fluffy on the inside and extra crispy on the outside. Best for all, they are air-fried without oil in under 15 minutes.

Why you'll love this recipe:

• So crispy: These homemade tater tots are crispy and delicious.
• No deep frying: They are made in the air fryer or in the oven.
• Healthy: These tater tots are healthy since they are made with just 5 ingredients and no canola oil.
• Gluten-free: We use gluten-free flour to make these tots naturally gluten-free and safe for celiacs.
• Customizable: Try different seasonings and optional add-ins like cheese, bacon, peppers, diced jalapeno, onion, chives, or herbs.
• Sweet potato option: You can even use sweet potatoes!
• Quick and Easy: Whether using an air fryer or oven, this recipe is straightforward and time-efficient.
• Potato lovers: Try these air fryer smashed potatoes or these extra crispy air fryer shredded hash browns next!

Ingredients & substitutions

Homemade gluten-free tater tots call for five simple ingredients. It's incredible how easy they are to prepare. Here is a list of everything you need (plus substitution suggestions) so you are ready:

• Potatoes: Use russet potatoes for the crispiest tater tots. If needed or desired, you can use sweet potatoes, too.
• Garlic Powder and Onion Powder: for the best-tasting tater tots. 
• Salt: Season your tater tots to taste. I add about 1 teaspoon.
• Gluten-Free Flour: Use gluten-free all-purpose or gluten-free 1:1 baking flour for the best results. You can use oat flour if needed, but not almond or coconut flour.  

Kitchen tools needed

Here is a list of kitchen utensils for making gluten-free tater tots. You can cook them in the air fryer or bake them in the oven.

• Box Grater
• Clean Dish Towel or Cheesecloth
• Large Mixing Bowl
• Parchment Paper & Baking Sheet (if baking)
• Air Fryer (if air frying)
• Large Pot
• Measuring Tools: ½ teaspoon, 1 teaspoon, and 1 Tablespoon.

How to make gluten-free tater tots

Crispy gluten-free tater tots are so easy to make in your air fryer or baked in the oven. Here are detailed step-by-step instructions with pictures for visual reference so any level cook can make them. The full recipe and ingredient measurements are at the bottom of this page in the recipe card.

Step 1:

First, decide if you will cook your homemade gluten-free tater tots in the air fryer or oven. If you are cooking them in the oven, preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C). If you are air frying them, continue to the next step.

Step 2:

Then, start by preparing the potatoes. Place the russet potatoes in a large pot or Dutch oven and ensure they're covered with water by about 1 inch. Bring the water to a boil, then reduce the heat to a simmer. Let the potatoes simmer with the lid on for about 7 - 8 minutes. They should be "parboiled" at this stage, meaning they are undercooked. That's good because you don't want mushy tots. Allow the potatoes to cool until they're easy to handle.

Step 3:

Grate the parboiled potatoes using the thickest part of a box grater. Using a clean dish towel or cheesecloth, pat and drain as much liquid as possible from the grated potatoes.

Step 4:

Transfer them to a large bowl. Add the garlic powder, onion powder, 1 teaspoon or more of kosher salt, and 1 - 2 tablespoons of gluten-free all-purpose flour to the potatoes. The mixture should be easy to work with but not too wet or sticky. Look at the picture below.

Step 5:

Shape the potato mixture into tots. Alternatively, you can use parchment paper to make this process easier. Place a portion of the potato mixture at the edge of a piece of parchment paper and roll it up, creating a log shape. Cut the log into 1 to 1½ inch segments, shaping the tots if necessary.

Step 6:

Arrange the tots on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper, then place them in the freezer for about 10 minutes. This step helps them firm up.

Step 7:

Once the tots are frozen and firm, toss them in a small amount of avocado or olive oil to prevent sticking and enhance browning.

Step 8: How to air fry tater tots

Meanwhile, preheat your air fryer to 400°F (200°C). Carefully arrange the tots in a single layer in the preheated air fryer basket. Cook for 10 - 15 minutes, flipping the tots every 5 minutes to ensure even browning on all sides. They should be golden and crispy. Air frying times can vary slightly depending on the model and size of your air fryer,m so it's a good idea to keep an eye on them as they air fry.

Step 8: How to bake tater tots

Carefully arrange the tots in a single layer on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Bake for 20 - 25 minutes or until they are golden brown and crispy. Flip the tots at the halfway mark to ensure even browning on both sides. They should be golden and crisp. Baking times can vary slightly depending on your oven and the size of the tots, so it's a good idea to keep an eye on them as they bake.

Step 9:

Once the tots are baked or air-fried to your desired level of crispiness, let them cool for around 5 minutes before serving. Enjoy!

Expert tips for homemade tater tots

1. Choose the right potatoes: For best results, use russet potatoes. They have a high starch content, making the tater tots fluffy and crispy on the outside.
2. Parboil the potatoes (don't cook them through): This is super important. Parboiling the potatoes softens the potatoes enough to grate them easily. If you overcook them, the tots will be mushy.
3. The seasoning matters: Don't underestimate the power of seasoning. Use a good balance of garlic powder, onion powder, and kosher salt to enhance the flavor of the tater tots.
4. Freeze the tots before air frying or baking: This is my #1 tip, actually. Freezing the tots for about 10 minutes before cooking helps them hold their shape during cooking and results in a crispier exterior.
5. Air fry in batches (if necessary): All air fryers are different. Don't try to overcrowd your air fryer basket if it has a small basket. Simply cook the tots in batches to ensure proper air circulation and even browning. Don't allow them to overlap in the air fryer!
6. Flip for extra crispiness: Whether you are cooking these tater tots in an air fryer or oven, flipping them halfway through cooking ensures even browning on all sides.
7. Experiment with flavors: Feel free to get creative with flavorings. Add grated cheese, herbs, bacon bits, peppers, diced jalapeno, onion, chives, spices, or even a drizzle of truffle oil to customize the taste.
8. Serve with dipping sauces: These seasoned tater tots are perfect for dipping. Try ketchup, mustard, ranch, or aioli.
9. Use sweet potatoes: If you want to make sweet potato tater tots that are also gluten-free, use sweet potatoes instead of russet potatoes. I like to remove the sweet potato skin once they are pair-boiled and cooled.

Air frying vs. baking tater tots

Air frying tater tots yields a crispier texture due to rapid air circulation and high heat, and it's quicker than baking. However, it requires an air fryer appliance, and you may need to cook in batches if your air fryer is small. Cooking your tots in the air fryer will yield the closest crispy texture to a deep-fried tater tot without excessive oil.

On the other hand, baking tater tots takes about 10 minutes longer and offers a slightly different texture. They are still crispy, but it's not like "deep-frying" crispy. Both methods have their benefits, depending on your preference and kitchen setup. I personally love air frying tater tots because they get so crispy, and they are healthy!

Are tater tots gluten-free?

Traditional tater tots and store-bought frozen tater tots are typically not gluten-free. Standard tater tot recipes include wheat-based ingredients in the coating to achieve a crispy texture and flour in the potato mixture to bind the tots. If you're following a gluten-free diet, be sure to check the ingredient list and look for tater tots labeled explicitly as gluten-free. This recipe is 100% gluten-free since we use gluten-free flour and no added coatings or random ingredients.

Are tater tots vegan?

Tater tots can be vegan, depending on the ingredients used in their preparation. Traditional, store-bought versions might contain non-vegan coatings or dairy-based ingredients. This tater tots recipe is 100% dairy-free and vegan.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to remove the potato skin?

This is a personal preference. I like to leave the potato skin on for extra flavor, texture, and nutrients. However, peel them before grating if you prefer a smoother texture or want a more traditional tater tot appearance. Make sure the potatoes have cooled down after boiling!

Can I use sweet potatoes?

Yes! You can use sweet potatoes instead of russet potatoes. I like to remove the skin from the sweet potatoes once they are pair-boiled and cooled.

Can I use Yukon gold potatoes?

Yes, you can use Yukon Gold potatoes to make tater tots. While russet potatoes are often preferred for their high starch content, Yukon Gold potatoes can also work well due to their creamy texture and flavor. You only need to parboil yuka potatoes for 2 - 3 minutes.

Can I add cheese?

You can add cheese to your tater tots for extra flavor and a gooey texture. We love ½ cup of shredded cheddar or grated parmesan.

Are they vegan?

Yes, these tater tots are naturally vegan.

Can I use a different gluten-free flour?

Do not substitute the gluten-free all-purpose flour with almond flour or coconut flour. You can, however, use gluten-free 1:1 baking flour or oat flour.

How long do you cook tater tots in an air fryer?

Cook tater tots in an air fryer at 400°F (200°C) for 10-15 minutes, flipping them halfway through until they're golden brown and crispy on all sides. Cooking times may vary based on your specific air fryer model, so monitor them to achieve your preferred level of crispiness.

Can I bake tater tots instead of using an air fryer?

You can bake these seasoned tater tots in an oven instead of using an air fryer. Preheat the oven to 425°F (220°C), place the tots on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper, and bake for about 20-25 minutes, flipping them halfway through, until they're golden brown and crispy.

How long can I freeze homemade tater tots?

You can freeze these homemade tater tots (uncooked) for up to 3 months. When you are ready to enjoy, air fry or bake them as instructed below. Since they are frozen, you will need to add 3 - 4 minutes extra on the cooking time.

Can you air fry frozen tater tots?

Yes, you can air fry frozen tater tots. Preheat your air fryer to 400°F (200°C), then arrange the frozen tots in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Cook for around 13-18 minutes, flipping them every 5 minutes, until they're crispy and golden brown on all sides.

Are tater tots healthy?

Traditional tater tots are often considered a less healthy option due to their high-fat content from deep-frying and added preservatives. However, you can make healthier versions by baking or air-frying them with minimal oil. This homemade gluten-free tators tors recipe is healthy since it uses five simple ingredients and is not deep-fried in oil. You can even use sweet potatoes to increase their nutritional value.

Storing, freezing, and reheating tater tots instructions:

Storing: Place any leftover cooked tater tots in an airtight container and store them in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To prevent them from becoming soggy, place a paper towel at the bottom of the container or between layers of tots.

Freezing: To freeze them, arrange the cooked and cooled tater tots in a single layer on a baking sheet. Place the baking sheet in the freezer for a few hours until the tots are frozen. Then, transfer the frozen tots into a resealable freezer-safe bag or airtight container and store them in the freezer for up to 3 months.

Reheating: You can reheat tater tots in the oven or air fryer. Air frying them will give them the crispiest texture. Reheat in your air fryer at 375°F (190°C) for 5-8 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through. Alternatively, you can preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C), spread the frozen tots in a single layer on a baking sheet, and bake for approximately 10-15 minutes, flipping them halfway through, until they're heated and crispy.

If you love this recipe, try these next!

• Air Fryer Shredded Hash Browns
• Crispiest Air Fryer Gnocchi
• Gluten Free Mozzarella Sticks
• Air Fryer Smashed Potatoes
• Air Fryer Tortellini

Did you make this recipe?

If you make this recipe, be sure to comment and rate it down below. Also, don't forget to tag me @healthfulblondie on Instagram and use the hashtag #healthfulblondie so I can see your delicious creation and share it with my followers!

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