Do you have an air fryer or are you thinking about getting one? Then I have a treat for you! These Plain Old Tots are a sample recipe from the lovely cookbook, Vegan Cooking in Your Air Fryer by Kathy Hester.
Kathy actually covers all kinds of tater tot goodness in this cookbook, including how to air fry them from frozen and a unique recipe for Indian-Inspired Veggie Tots that are actually potato-free. But these Plain Old Tots are a great example of the ease and simplicity you can enjoy with Kathy’s recipes.
Highlights of Vegan Cooking in Your Air Fryer
This is a full color cookbook with simple yet enticing photos, like the Tots photo shown here, for every recipe. The introduction isn’t very long, but it is packed full of information on air frying. Kathy covers all types of questions, including “Do I Have to Use Oil” and “What About Battered Foods.”
And the recipe chapters include:
Make It Yourself: Staples You Will Use Again and Again- Healthy Snacks: Crispy Wonders from Your Air Fryer
- Mains: Delightful Dinners That Will Have Your Family Asking for More
- Side Dishes and Appetizers: Fried Favorites Lightened Up with Air Frying
- Breakfasts: Easy and Delicious Ways to Start Your Day
- Desserts: Crispy and Baked Treats That Are Healthier Than You Think
I’m most excited about the Side Dishes and Appetizers chapter, because we are a small household, and “appetizer nights” are a staple!
The Benefits of Air Frying and Which Machine to Get
If you are into oil-free cooking, or simply reducing the amount of oil you use, then air frying is a great option. It’s also a good alternative for those of us who are timid with deep frying. Air fryer results are a bit like baking, but with a much crispier exterior. Air fryers are also great for small batch cooking.
For small (1 to 2 person) households on a budget, Kathy recommends the 3.7-quart GoWise Air Fryer. Air fryers are surprising large compared to their capacity, so don’t let the size fool you. For a family of four, the 5.8-quart GoWise Air Fryer offers a better yield. But it’s really easy to batch cook recipes like these Plain Old Tots, even if your air fryer is on the smaller side.
Special Diet Notes: Plain Old Tots
By ingredients, this recipe is dairy-free / non-dairy, egg-free, gluten-free, nut-free, peanut-free, soy-free, vegan, plant-based, vegetarian, and top food allergy-friendly.
- 4 medium (600 g) peeled potatoes
- 1 tablespoon (7 g) organic cornstarch or potato starch
- 1 teaspoon (2 g) salt
- Spray oil (*omit)
- Cook the potatoes halfway, until a fork can just pierce the outside. You want them cooked but firm enough to grate. Let cool. I like to cook the potatoes the day before and grate them cold from the fridge.
- Add the grated potatoes to a mixing bowl with the starch and salt. Gently toss and form into tot shapes by the tablespoon (see note below) and add to your air fryer basket. Once full, cook the first basket and form tots with the rest of the mixture.
- Cook at 390°F (200°C) for 10 minutes, shake, then cook 5 minutes more. Cook the rest of the tots in shifts until they are all cooked.
Here’s how I form the tots: Take 1 tablespoon (15 ml) of the potato mixture and put it in the palm of your hand. Place your fingers over the potato and squeeze into a tube shape. Flatten the ends, then roll it to make uniform.
Gluten-free, soy-free, no oil added option*
This recipe is reprinted permissions from Vegan Cooking in Your Air Fryer: 75 Incredible Comfort Food Recipes with Half the Calories by Kathy Hester.
