After boiling, pat the potatoes completely dry with paper towels and let them cool fully—excess moisture prevents crispiness and causes sogginess in the air fryer.

Refrigerate your mashed potato mixture for at least 30 minutes before forming into tots; this helps them hold their shape better during air frying and prevents falling apart.

Mix all spices directly into the cooled potato mixture rather than dusting them on afterward—this ensures even flavor distribution throughout each tot and prevents uneven seasoning.

Turn the tots halfway through the cooking cycle (around 8 minutes) to achieve even crispiness on all sides and ensure consistent golden-brown coloring.

Lightly dust tots with all-purpose flour before air frying for enhanced exterior crispness without adding significant oil or calories.