Wash and peel the potatoes. Grate them using a box grater or a food processor.
Place the grated potatoes in a clean kitchen towel and squeeze out excess moisture. This step helps achieve a crispier texture.
Finely chop the onion and mince the garlic.
In a large bowl, combine the grated potatoes, chopped onion, minced garlic, breadcrumbs, grated Parmesan cheese, cornstarch, salt, pepper, and a sprinkle of paprika. Mix well until all ingredients are evenly distributed.
Take small portions of the mixture and shape them into small cylindrical tater tots. You can use your hands or a spoon to form the tots.
Preheat your air fryer to 375°F (190°C) for a few minutes.
Lightly coat the air fryer basket with cooking spray to prevent sticking.
Place the shaped tater tots in a single layer in the preheated air fryer basket. Make sure to leave a little space between them to allow for proper air circulation.
Lightly drizzle olive oil over the tater tots to help them crisp up. Air fry the tater tots at 375°F (190°C) for about 12-15 minutes, flipping them halfway through. Cook until they're golden brown and crispy on the outside.
Once the tater tots are cooked to your desired level of crispiness, carefully remove them from the air fryer basket. Serve them hot as a delicious snack, appetizer, or side dish.
Pair your homemade tater tots with your favorite dipping sauces, such as ketchup, aioli, ranch, or even a spicy mayo for an extra kick.