This Tater Tot Salad flips the script on traditional potato salad with crispy smashed tots, fresh cucumber, dill, and a tangy pickle-spiked dressing. This Tater Tot Salad is the perfect mix of crunchy, creamy, and refreshing—made for summer BBQs, brunch spreads, or anytime you want comfort with a twist.
Table of Contents
Ingredients
- Tater tots – Crispy base that replaces traditional boiled potatoes for extra texture in Tater Tot Salad.
- Olive oil – Helps the smashed tots crisp up beautifully in the air fryer.
- Cucumber & dill – Add cool, fresh contrast to the warm, crispy tots.
- Pickles & pickle brine – Bring tang, crunch, and that signature deli-style zing.
- Lemon juice – Brightens the salad and balances the richness of the tots.
- Shallot or red onion – Adds a subtle bite without overpowering the other flavors.
- Greek yogurt & mayo – Creamy base for the dressing with a light, tangy finish.
- Garlic powder & Dijon mustard – Add depth and savory flavor to the dressing.
- Salt & pepper – Essential for balancing and enhancing all the flavors in Tater Tot Salad.
- Optional extras – Eggs, feta, radish, or capers add variety and more flavor layers.
Alternative Ingredients
- Shallot – Use red onion or green onion for a similar mild bite.
- Dill pickles – Try bread-and-butter pickles or pickled jalapeños for a twist in your Tater Tot Salad.
- Fresh dill – Substitute with parsley, chives, or a pinch of dried dill.
- Greek yogurt – Swap with sour cream or plain skyr for the same creamy tang.
- Dijon mustard – Use yellow mustard or a bit of whole grain mustard.
- Lemon juice – White wine vinegar or apple cider vinegar also work well.
Nutritional Benefits
- Supports digestion: Probiotics in Greek yogurt help maintain a healthy gut.
- Aids immune support: Vitamin C in lemon juice strengthens immunity.
- Supports bone health: Calcium from dairy ingredients promotes strong bones.
- Promotes satiety and energy: Balanced carbs, fats, and protein keep you full.
- Delivers heart-healthy fats: Olive oil offers beneficial fats for heart health.
Expert Tips
Don’t skip the smash: Flattening the tots creates more surface area for maximum crispiness—totally worth it for your Tater Tot Salad.
Cool slightly before mixing: Let the tots rest a few minutes after air frying so they don’t steam the salad.
Serve immediately for best texture: This salad is at its peak when the tots are warm and the salad is cold.
Double the tots for a main dish: Want it to be a full meal? Just increase the tater tot portion and top with protein.
FAQs
Yes—prep the salad base in advance, but air-fry and smash the tots just before serving for best crunch.
Absolutely! Just make sure they’re fully cooked and firm enough to hold up when smashed and crisped.
Reheat the smashed tots in an air fryer or oven at 375°F until crisp, then serve with the chilled salad.
Yes, it’s naturally vegetarian. Just double-check your tater tots don’t contain any meat-based ingredients.
Yes—use a plant-based yogurt or sour cream alternative and skip any cheese add-ins.
Not necessary if using Persian or English cucumber. Peel regular cucumbers if the skin is waxy or thick.
Yes, you can bake the tots in the oven at 425°F and smash them halfway through baking—just allow extra time.
Serving Suggestions
Serve this Tater Tot Salad alongside grilled chicken, burgers, or veggie skewers for a satisfying summer meal. It also pairs perfectly with eggs or smoked salmon for a fun brunch twist.
Storage Suggestions
Store the salad and tots separately in airtight containers to keep the tots crispy. Refrigerate for up to 3 days and reheat tots in the air fryer to restore crunch.
You’ll also enjoy:
- Beet Couscous Salad
- Avocado And White Bean Salad
- Farro with Blistered Tomatoes Pesto and Spinach
- Dill Pickle Egg Salad
- Heirloom Tomato and Cucumber Salad
- Easy Beetroot and Cucumber Salad
- Pesto Orzo Pasta Salad
Tater Tot Salad
Equipment
Ingredients
For the Crispy Tater Tots:
- 3 cups frozen tater tots (about 30–35 tots)
- 1 tbsp olive oil
For the Salad:
- 1 cup cucumber finely chopped (Persian or English cucumber)
- 1/4 cup dill pickles finely chopped
- 2 tbsp brine from the pickle jar
- 1 tbsp fresh lemon juice
- 1/4 cup fresh dill chopped
- 1 small shallot finely chopped (or 2 tbsp red onion)
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp Dijon mustard
- 3 tbsp Greek yogurt or sour cream (for a creamy base)
- 3 tbsp mayonnaise (optional, for extra creaminess)
- salt and black pepper to taste
Optional Add-ins:
- 1 chopped boiled egg
- crumbled feta or goat cheese
- sliced radish or celery
- A few capers or a splash of white wine vinegar
Instructions
Air Fry and Smash the Tater Tots:
- Preheat your air fryer to 400°F (200°C).
- Toss the frozen tater tots in olive oil.3 cups frozen tater tots, 1 tbsp olive oil
- Air fry for 10 minutes, then remove and gently smash each tot with the bottom of a glass or spatula to flatten them into pancake shapes.
- Return the smashed tots to the air fryer and cook for another 5–7 minutes, until deeply golden and crisped on both sides. Let cool slightly.
Mix the Salad Base:
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the yogurt (and mayo, if using), lemon juice, pickle brine, Dijon mustard, garlic powder, and a little salt and pepper.2 tbsp brine from the pickle jar, 1 tbsp fresh lemon juice, 1/2 tsp garlic powder, 1 tsp Dijon mustard, 3 tbsp Greek yogurt or sour cream, 3 tbsp mayonnaise, salt and black pepper to taste
- Fold in the chopped cucumbers, pickles, dill, and shallot.1 cup cucumber, 1/4 cup dill pickles, 1/4 cup fresh dill, 1 small shallot
Assemble the Salad:
- Place the crispy smashed tots on a serving plate (you can layer them or scatter).
- Spoon the cucumber-dill salad mixture over the top or to the side.
- Finish with more fresh dill, cracked black pepper, and optional toppings like feta or egg.
Notes
- For extra crispiness, smash tots gently—don’t press too hard or they may break apart.
- Keep tots and salad separate if making ahead to avoid sogginess.
- Swap dill for parsley if you prefer a milder herb flavor.
- Use plain yogurt instead of mayo for a lighter dressing.
- This salad is best served fresh but can be refrigerated for up to 3 days.
- Reheat smashed tots in the air fryer to restore crunch before serving.
Nutrition
Disclaimer: I am a health and wellness coach with a degree in health science from Arizona State University. However, I am not a doctor or registered dietitian. Any information or advice provided on this website is not intended to replace professional medical advice. Please consult with your healthcare provider before making any dietary or lifestyle changes, especially if you have a medical condition. The information provided on this website is for educational and informational purposes only and should not be taken as professional medical advice or a substitute for it.
Never would have thought to add tater tot’s to a salad. It was actually very good and easy to prepare.