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These air fryer sweet potato tater tots have crisp golden edges and a soft mashed sweet potato center, with cumin, smoked paprika and garlic adding a savory kick. Garlic-seasoned panko adds a little extra flavor, although regular panko works just fine too. They’re best served straight from the air fryer while the outside is still crisp, with ranch or your favorite sauce for dipping.
Why You’ll Love It
Mashed sweet potato, seasoned panko and a few spices turn into crisp little tater tots in the air fryer, with no deep frying needed.
Crisp outside, soft inside: Panko helps give the tots a crisp exterior while the mashed sweet potato stays soft in the center.
Savory seasoning: Cumin, smoked paprika and garlic powder balance the natural sweetness of the potatoes.
Made in the air fryer: They cook at 400°F with space between each tot so hot air can circulate around them.
Good for dipping: Serve them hot with ranch, ketchup, spicy mayo or another sauce you like.
If this is your kind of recipe, also try my tater tot casserole, bacon-wrapped tater tots, chicken parmesan meatballs, or some cozy breakfast burritos.
Air Fried Sweet Potato Tater Tots Ingredients
A complete list of ingredients and amounts can be found in the recipe card below.
Sweet potato puree: Cook and mash the sweet potatoes until smooth, then chill the puree before shaping the tots.
Cumin: Adds a warm, earthy flavor that works well with sweet potato.
Garlic powder: Adds savory garlic flavor without adding moisture to the mixture.
Smoked paprika: Gives the tots a slightly smoky flavor.
Panko breadcrumbs: Help bind the sweet potato mixture and give the tots some texture. I like garlic-seasoned panko here, but plain works too.
Thyme: Optional, but fresh or dried thyme works well with the sweet potato and spices.
Flaky sea salt: Sprinkle it over the tots while they’re hot, if you like.
How to Make Air Fryer Sweet Potato Tater Tots
For more detailed instructions with weights and measurements, jump to the printable recipe card.
Mix the ingredients: Combine the chilled sweet potato puree, cumin, garlic powder, smoked paprika, salt and panko breadcrumbs. Add thyme if you’re using it.
Shape the tots: Scoop about a Tablespoon of the mixture at a time and shape it into a small tater tot.
Arrange in the air fryer: Place the tots in the air fryer basket with a little space between each one so the air can circulate.
Air fry: Cook at 400°F for 5 minutes, flip and cook for another 5 minutes. If they aren’t crisp enough, continue cooking for another 5 to 10 minutes.
Serve: Sprinkle with flaky sea salt while they’re hot and serve with ranch or your favorite dipping sauce.
Substitutions and Variations
Make them gluten-free: Use gluten-free panko breadcrumbs in place of regular panko.
Change the seasoning: Add cayenne or chili powder for more heat, or use onion powder in place of the garlic powder.
Switch the herbs: Parsley, rosemary or cilantro can replace the thyme.
Add cheese: Mix a little shredded cheddar or grated parmesan into the sweet potato mixture.
Help them crisp: A light coating of olive oil spray before air frying can help the outside brown and crisp.
Serving Suggestions
Appetizer: Serve these with your favorite dipping sauces and watch them disappear!
Main: Make marry-me chicken meatballs, paccheri pasta or this turkey casserole. For something hearty, how about an authentic gumbo recipe?
Dessert: End with ginger apple cake or a scoop (or two) of my blueberry cheesecake ice cream.
How to Store
Store: Keep cooled sweet potato tater tots in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
Freeze: Freeze shaped, uncooked tots in a single layer until firm, then transfer them to a freezer-safe container or bag. Cook them from frozen, adding a few extra minutes as needed. Cooked tots can also be frozen after cooling completely.
Thaw: Thaw cooked tots overnight in the refrigerator, or reheat them directly from frozen.
Reheat: Air fry at 400°F for 5 to 7 minutes, or until hot and crisp.
Top Tips
Start with cold sweet potato: Chilled sweet potato puree is firmer and easier to shape. I also find the tots hold together better once they go into the air fryer.
Give them some room: Leave space between the tots so the hot air can circulate and crisp the outside. Cook in batches if necessary.
Check before adding more time: Start with 5 minutes per side, then continue cooking only if they need more browning. Air fryers can vary quite a bit.
Season while they’re hot: Add flaky sea salt as soon as the tots come out of the air fryer so it sticks better.
Air Fryer Sweet Potato Tater Tots FAQs
Start with chilled sweet potato puree and make sure the ingredients are mixed thoroughly. If the mixture still feels too soft to shape easily, chill it for 20 to 30 minutes before forming the tots.
Yes. Bake them at 400°F for 20 to 25 minutes, flipping them halfway through, until browned and crisp on the outside.
Ranch dressing, garlic marinara, ketchup, homemade blue cheese dressing, and spicy mayo are great options. You can also try a nice garlicky aioli or honey mustard dressing for a different flavor.
Sweet Potato Tater Tots Recipe
Air Fryer Sweet Potato Tater Tots
Ingredients
- 2 Cups sweet potatoes, cooked and mashed to puree
- ½ Teaspoon ground cumin
- ½ Teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ Teaspoon smoked paprika
- ½ Teaspoon salt
- ½ Cup panko breadcrumbs
- thyme, optional
- flaky sea salt, optional
- ranch dressing, for dipping
Instructions
- Combine the sweet potato puree, cumin, garlic powder, smoked paprika, salt and breadcrumbs and mix well. Add some fresh thyme leaves if desired.
- Scoop about a Tablespoon of the sweet potato mixture and shape it into a small tater tot. Repeat with the remaining mixture.
- Arrange the tater tots into the air fryer, making sure you leave a little space between each tot.
- Cook at 400°F for 5 minutes, then flip the tater tots and continue cooking for another 5 minutes. If the tots are not crispy enough, continue frying for another 5 to 10 minutes.
- Serve with a sprinkle of flaky salt if liked and ranch dressing on the side.
Notes
Give them some room: Leave space between the tots so the hot air can circulate and crisp the outside. Cook in batches if necessary.
Check before adding more time: Start with 5 minutes per side, then continue cooking only if they need more browning. Air fryers can vary quite a bit.
Season while they’re hot: Add flaky sea salt as soon as the tots come out of the air fryer so it sticks better.
Nutrition
These sweet potato tater tots are a fun change from regular tots, with a soft sweet potato center and a lightly crisp outside. I like them best straight from the air fryer with ranch for dipping, while they’re still hot and crisp. You can also change up the seasonings depending on what you’re serving with them.
Other Recipes to Try
- These air fryer pizza dogs combine pizza and hot dogs into one fun snack.
- Enjoy perfectly crispy and seasoned air fryer sweet potato wedges!
- These air fryer buffalo chicken tenders have a spicy, crispy coating.
- Start your day with these crispy air fryer breakfast potatoes!
- These air fryer onion rings are crunchy on the outside, and tender inside.
Bella Bucchiotti
Bella Bucchiotti is a Canadian-based syndicated food, travel, and lifestyle writer, photographer, and creator at xoxoBella. She founded xoxoBella in 2015, where she shares her love for food, dogs, sustainability, fitness, crafts, outdoor adventures, travel, and philanthropy to encourage others to run the extra mile, try new recipes, visit unfamiliar places, and stand for a cause. Bella creates stress-free and family-friendly recipes for weeknight dinners and festive feasts.
I made these tater tots as a side, and they were a total hit! Crispy, healthy, and super easy.
These sweet potato tots were so crispy and tasty; perfect for snacking!