To make your tater tots really crispy, cook the tater tots longer and at higher temperatures than what the packaging instructions say to cook the tater tots at.
Most packaging instructions for tater tots will underestimate the actual cooking time needed to fully evaporate the moisture and build a deeply and caramelized crust for the tater tots.
If cooking your tater tots in a deep fryer, use a deep fryer thermometer to ensure that the oil is heated to 350 F to 375F.
And fry the tater tots in small batches as frying the tater tots in large batches at once lowers the oil temperature and causes the tater tots to absorb grease and turn then soggy.
And never drop the fried tater tots after frying them onto a flat plate.
Instead rest the fried tater tots on a metal wire cooling rack set over a paper towel lined baking sheet to allow air to circulate underneath.
If air frying the tater tots, preheat the air fryer to 400 F before adding the tater tots.
And arrange your frozen tater tots in a strict single layer so that the air from your air fryer can hit every side.
And lightly mist the tater tots with an oil spray like Pam Cooking Spray to help the heat transfer.
And shake the tater tots frequently when air frying them.
Cook the tater tots in the air fryer for 15 minutes to 20 minutes and during this time be sure to shake the air fryer basket every 4 to 5 minutes vigorously to ensure the tater tots get uniform browning.
If cooking the tater tots in the oven.
Preheat your oven to 425 F to 450 F.
And leave the empty baking sheet inside the oven while it also preheats as placing frozen tater tots on to a hot metal pan directly sears the bottoms of the tater tots instantly.
And use fat generously.
Toss the frozen tater tots directly into a tablespoon of melted vegetable oil, duck fat or even some savory bacon grease right on the pan before you bake the tater tots.
And plan to bake the tater tots for 35 minutes to 45 minutes and turn the tater tots over halfway through baking, instead of the standard 20 minutes that is printed on the bag.