Preheat the Air Fryer: Begin by preheating your air fryer to 400°F (200°C). While many modern air fryers claim you don't need to preheat, doing so often ensures consistent results.
Prep the Basket: Lightly spray the air fryer basket with cooking spray. This will prevent the tots from sticking and help them get a golden exterior.
Arrange the Tots: Place the frozen Trader Joe's Potato Tots in a single layer in the air fryer basket, ensuring they aren’t overcrowded. It's crucial to avoid stacking or overcrowding so they cook evenly and get crispy. You may need to cook in batches depending on the size of your air fryer.
Cook: Air fry the tots at 400°F (200°C) for about 10-12 minutes. Halfway through the cooking time, give the basket a shake or use tongs to turn the tots, ensuring they brown evenly on all sides.
Check for Doneness: Once the tots are golden brown and crispy to your liking, they're ready. If you prefer them extra crispy, you can cook them for an additional 1-2 minutes.
Season (optional): After removing the tots from the air fryer, sprinkle them with a bit of salt if desired.
Serve: Serve the hot tots immediately with your favorite dipping sauce.