Crispy tater tots meet cheesy nacho goodness in this easy Air Fryer Beef Totchos recipe! Loaded with seasoned ground beef, melty cheese, and your favorite toppings, it’s the ultimate snack or quick dinner—perfect for game day, parties, or weeknight cravings.
If you love loaded nachos and crispy tater tots, Air Fryer Beef Totchos are about to become your new favorite comfort food.
This easy recipe combines golden air-fried tots with seasoned ground beef, melty cheese, and all your favorite toppings—think of it as nachos with a hearty twist.
Perfect for game day, weeknight dinners, or a fun party appetizer, these totchos are quick to make and always a hit!
Why You Will Love This Recipe!
- Crispy, golden tater tots every time – Thanks to the air fryer, no soggy bottoms here!
- Loaded with bold, savory flavor – Seasoned beef, gooey cheese, and customizable toppings.
- Quick and easy to make – Ready in under 30 minutes with minimal prep.
- Perfect for sharing – Great for game days, parties, or casual dinners.
- Endlessly customizable – Add your favorite toppings like jalapeños, sour cream, or guac!
Ingredients Needed
- Frozen tater tots: Crispy, golden base for loaded totchos.
- Ground beef: Savory, seasoned protein for hearty flavor.
- Shredded cheddar cheese: Melts perfectly over hot, crispy tots
- Sour cream: Cool, creamy topping for balance and richness
- Diced tomatoes (optional): Juicy, bright contrast to savory layers
- Jalapeño slices (optional): Adds heat and zing to each bite
- Sliced green onions: Fresh bite and pop of color
- Black Olives: Add a hint of briny, earthy flavor.
- Taco seasoning: Adds bold, zesty spice to the beef
- Guacamole or avocado (optional): Creamy, rich finish with fresh flavor
How To Make Air Fryer Beef Totchos
Step One: Preheat the air fryer, by setting your air fryer temperature to 400 degrees F (200°C) for 3-5 minutes.
Step Two: Place the frozen tater tots in the air fryer basket in a single layer. Set cook time for 15-20 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through until golden and crispy.
Step Three: While the tater tots are cooking, brown the ground beef in a skillet over medium heat. Break it up with a spatula as it cooks. Once fully cooked, drain any excess fat.
Step Four: Add the taco seasoning to the cooked ground beef, along with a little water if needed (follow the seasoning packet instructions). Stir well to combine and cook for a few more minutes until the beef is well seasoned.
Step Five: Once the tater tots are cooked, sprinkle the cooked, seasoned ground beef over the tater tots, then cover with shredded cheddar cheese. Place the beef totchos back in the air fryer and cook at 400 degrees F (200°C) for 2-3 minutes until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
Step Six: Once the cheese is melted, remove the totchos from the air fryer. Top with sour cream, diced tomatoes, sliced jalapeños, chopped green onions, black olives, and avocado or guacamole if using.
Air Fryer Beef Totchos Recipe Tips
- Preheat your air fryer for extra crispiness: A hot basket helps the tater tots cook evenly and get golden all around.
- Cook the beef while the tots air fry: Save time by browning and seasoning the ground beef while the tots are cooking.
- Use freshly shredded cheese: It melts better and gives you that gooey, nacho-style pull.
- Layer ingredients for maximum flavor: Try building in layers—tots, cheese, beef, toppings—to get a little bit of everything in every bite.
- Don’t overload the basket: Keep the tots in a single layer for best air circulation and crisp results. Assemble totchos on a platter after everything’s cooked.
Storing & Reheating Instructions
- Storing: Place any leftovers in an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 2–3 days. For best texture, store toppings like sour cream or guacamole separately and add after reheating.
- Reheating: Reheat totchos in the air fryer at 350°F for 5–7 minutes, or until hot and crispy. You can also use the microwave for convenience, but the tots will be softer rather than crispy.
Air Fryer Beef Totchos Recipe Faqs
Can I use fresh tater tots instead of frozen? Fresh tater tots aren’t typically available, but if you make homemade tots, you can air fry them the same way. Frozen tots give the best crispy texture.
What’s the best way to season the ground beef? Use taco seasoning for bold flavor, or mix your own blend of chili powder, cumin, garlic powder, and paprika.
Can I make this recipe vegetarian? Yes! Substitute cooked beans, seasoned tofu, or plant-based meat alternatives for the ground beef.
How do I keep the tater tots crispy after adding toppings? Assemble the totchos just before serving to maintain crispiness, or keep toppings like sour cream and guacamole separate until ready to eat.
Can I reheat leftovers in the air fryer? Definitely! Reheat at 350°F for 5–7 minutes to restore crispiness.
More Air Fryer Recipes
- Air Fryer Sausage
- Air Fryer Pork Chops
- Easy Air Fryer Frozen Italian Sausage
- Air Fryer Breakfast Potatoes
- Air Fryer Steak Bites
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Air Fryer Beef Totchos
Description
Ingredients
- 12 ounces tater tots, frozen
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 teaspoon Taco seasoning, store-bought or homemade blend
- 1-2 cups cheddar cheese, shredded
- 1/4 cup Sour cream, for topping
- 1/4 cup Diced tomatoes, for topping
- 1/4 cup Sliced jalapeños, for topping
- 2 tablespoons Chopped green onions, for topping
- 1/4 cup Sliced black olives, for topping
- 1/4 cup Avocado or guacamole, optional, for topping
Instructions
- Preheat your air fryer temperature to 400 degrees F (200°C), for 3-5 minutes.
- Place the frozen tater tots in the air fryer basket in a single layer. Set cook time for about 15-20 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through, until they are golden and crispy.
- While the tater tots are cooking, brown the ground beef in a skillet over medium heat. Break it up with a spatula as it cooks. Once fully cooked, drain any excess fat.
- Add the taco seasoning to the cooked ground beef, along with a little water if needed (follow the seasoning packet instructions). Stir well to combine and cook for a few more minutes until the beef is well seasoned.
- Once the tater tots are cooked, remove them from the air fryer and place them in a heat-safe dish. Sprinkle the cooked, seasoned ground beef over the tater tots, then cover with shredded cheddar cheese.
- Place the beef totchos back in the air fryer and cook at 400 degrees F (200°C) for a few minutes until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Once the cheese is melted, remove the totchos from the air fryer. Top with sour cream, diced tomatoes, sliced jalapeños, chopped green onions, black olives, and avocado or guacamole if using.
Equipment
- Cooking Spray
- Parchment Paper, optional
Nutrition
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