Name: Air Fryer Breakfast Loaded Tater Tots (Totchos) Recipe
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 30 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 4 cups frozen potato bites; 6 large eggs; 8 ounces breakfast sausage; 1 cup shredded cheddar style cheese; 1/2 cup diced red bell pepper; 1/2 cup diced green bell pepper; 2 tablespoons chopped chives; 1/2 teaspoon salt; 1/4 teaspoon black pepper; Olive oil spray, light coating

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Oh, you’re going to love this Air Fryer Breakfast Loaded Tater Tots (Totchos) Recipe – it’s like breakfast and nachos had a delicious, crispy love child. Whenever I want something comforting but quick to whip up, this recipe is my go-to. The air fryer makes those tater tots perfectly crispy without any fuss, and then piling them high with scrambled eggs, sausage, cheese, and peppers turns a simple breakfast into a feast.

What’s really special about this recipe is how easy it is to customize and how it perfectly fits busy weekends or casual brunches with friends. Plus, cooking everything in the air fryer means less cleanup and faster results, which I appreciate when I’m hungry and don’t want to wait forever. Trust me, once you try this Air Fryer Breakfast Loaded Tater Tots (Totchos) Recipe, it’s going to be on your regular rotation.

Ingredients You’ll Need

These ingredients work so well together to create layers of savory, cheesy, and fresh flavors. Plus, they’re pretty straightforward to find—just grab a few simple staples and you’re almost ready to go.

Frozen potato bites: These are the base of our totchos and get crispy and golden in the air fryer. I like to get a trusty brand to ensure consistent crunch.
Large eggs: Scrambled just right, they add a soft, creamy texture that balances the crisp tots.
Breakfast sausage: Adds that meaty, savory punch. You can use spicy or mild depending on your preference.
Cheddar style cheese, shredded: Melts perfectly on top. Feel free to swap for any shredded cheese you love.
Red bell pepper, diced: Brings in a touch of sweetness and crunch for contrast.
Green bell pepper, diced: Adds a mild bitterness and lovely color variety.
Chives, chopped: A fresh, oniony note that finishes the dish beautifully.
Salt: Enhances every flavor, just a pinch to keep things balanced.
Black pepper: For that subtle heat and depth.
Olive oil spray: Helps keep the tots crispy and prevents sticking in the air fryer.

Variations

I love how flexible this Air Fryer Breakfast Loaded Tater Tots (Totchos) Recipe is—you can totally make it your own based on what you have or what you’re craving that day. I often switch up the veggies or cheese depending on the season or mood.

Vegetarian variation: Swap sausage for sautéed mushrooms or black beans. I did this once for a brunch with friends who prefer vegetarian, and no one even missed the meat.
Spicy twist: Add some jalapeños or a dash of hot sauce on top. I like this kick when I’m in the mood for something a bit bolder.
Different cheese: Try pepper jack or mozzarella for a different melting experience. Pepper jack adds a punch that’s great with sausage.
Make it dairy-free: Use dairy-free cheese and scramble eggs with a bit of plant-based milk. It’s surprisingly tasty and creamy.
Seasonal veggies: Swap bell peppers for sautéed spinach or diced tomatoes when they’re fresh in season.

How to Make Air Fryer Breakfast Loaded Tater Tots (Totchos) Recipe

Step 1: Whisk and scramble the eggs gently

Start by cracking your eggs into a bowl, then whisk them with salt and black pepper. I like to keep the seasoning simple to let the other flavors shine. Use a nonstick pan over medium-low heat and scramble the eggs slowly—this keeps them soft and fluffy, not rubbery. You want them just set, not overcooked, because they’ll warm up a bit more later with the cheese on top.

Step 2: Prep the air fryer basket

Give the air fryer basket a light spray of olive oil spray to avoid sticking and help crisp up the tots. I usually wipe the spray lightly so I don’t overdo it and end up with greasy tots—balance is key here.

Step 3: Crisp up the frozen potato bites

Add the frozen potato bites (tater tots) to the basket in a single layer so they crisp up evenly. Cook them at 400°F for about 10 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through to make sure they get golden on all sides. Resist the urge to overcrowd the basket; I’ve learned the hard way that packing too many in causes soggy tots.

Step 4: Add sausage and peppers and continue cooking

Once the tots are crispy, scatter the cooked breakfast sausage and diced red and green bell peppers over them. Pop the basket back in the air fryer for another 5 minutes. This heats everything through, softens the peppers slightly, and blends those flavors.

Step 5: Top with eggs and cheese

Next, layer on the scrambled eggs and sprinkle shredded cheddar style cheese over everything. Return the basket to the air fryer and cook at 400°F for 3 to 5 minutes—just long enough for the cheese to melt beautifully but not burn.

Step 6: Garnish and serve immediately

Once out of the air fryer, sprinkle the chopped chives over the top for a burst of fresh flavor and color. Serve your loaded totchos immediately while everything is warm, cheesy, and deliciously crispy.

How to Serve Air Fryer Breakfast Loaded Tater Tots (Totchos) Recipe

The image shows a clean layout of cooking ingredients on a white marbled surface. There are seven light brown eggs in a white bowl at the top right. Below that is a smaller white bowl holding several slices of reddish sausage. In the center left is a larger white bowl filled with golden, crispy tater tots sprinkled with black pepper. To the top left is another white bowl holding a heap of thinly shredded yellow cheese. Near the bottom center are four bright yellow egg yolks in a white bowl with egg whites. Fresh green chives, both whole and chopped, are placed on the left side with a small black bowl of coarse salt below them. At the bottom right sits a whole red bell pepper and a small glass container of yellow oil. The overall arrangement is neat and clear with soft natural lighting, photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Garnishes

I’m all about simple garnishes that pack a punch—chopped chives add that fresh, mild onion flavor I love here. Sometimes, I’ll also sprinkle a little hot sauce or add sliced avocado for a creamy, cooling counterpoint. Fresh cilantro or a dollop of sour cream can also elevate the dish if you want to get fancy.

Side Dishes

I usually enjoy these totchos as a full meal, but if I’m pairing sides, simple fruit salad or a light green spinach salad with lemon vinaigrette are perfect. They add brightness and balance to the richness of the totchos. Coffee or freshly brewed tea also complements the meal nicely!

Creative Ways to Present

For special occasions or brunch gatherings, I like to serve these loaded totchos in a big shallow dish or cast-iron skillet right out of the air fryer—everyone can dig in family-style. You can also portion them into small ramekins for individual servings that look super cute and make guests feel extra special.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Leftovers should go into an airtight container and stored in the fridge. I’ve found that keeping everything together preserves the flavors best. It’s okay if the tots lose a bit of crispiness—they come back to life with a quick reheat.

Freezing

If you want to freeze, I recommend freezing just the crispy tots separately before layering with eggs and cheese. This way, you can thaw and air fry the tots to crispy perfection later, then add fresh toppings. I’ve learned this avoids sogginess when freezing fully assembled totchos.

Reheating

To reheat leftovers, pop them back into the air fryer at 350°F for about 5 minutes. This revives the tots’ crunch while warming the toppings without drying them out. Avoid microwaving if you want to keep that lovely texture.

FAQs

Can I use homemade tater tots instead of frozen potato bites?

Absolutely! Homemade tater tots can add a fantastic fresh flavor and let you control the seasoning. Just be sure to shape them compactly and cook in the air fryer at 400°F until golden and crispy, which might take a little longer than frozen ones.
Can I make this recipe vegan?

Yes! Swap the eggs with scrambled tofu or a chickpea flour scramble, use plant-based sausage alternatives, and choose vegan cheese. Make sure your potato bites are vegan too, then follow the same cooking steps for a delicious vegan version.
How do I prevent soggy tater tots when making this recipe?

The key is not to overcrowd your air fryer basket and to give the tots space to crisp up in the hot air. Also, shaking or flipping them halfway through the cook helps with even crisping. Using olive oil spray lightly also adds to that perfect crunch.
Can I prepare parts of this dish in advance?

Yes! You can cook and scramble the eggs, cook the sausage, and prep the veggies ahead of time. Then, when you’re ready, air fry the tots and assemble everything quickly. This makes it a great option for a weekend brunch when you want to minimize last-minute cooking.
What can I use instead of breakfast sausage?

Try bacon, chorizo, turkey sausage, or even a plant-based sausage option. If you prefer a veggie twist, sautéed mushrooms or seasoned lentils work well too. It’s all about what you enjoy and what fits your diet.

Final Thoughts

Honestly, this Air Fryer Breakfast Loaded Tater Tots (Totchos) Recipe has become one of my all-time favorites for good reason. It’s such a cozy, satisfying meal that doesn’t demand a ton of time or complicated steps. Whenever I crave something a little indulgent but still want to keep it wholesome, this recipe hits the spot every time. Give it a try—you’ll have a new breakfast or brunch classic to impress yourself and anyone lucky enough to join you.