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tater tot salad served in a white bowl surrounded by radishes and fresh dill

Tater Tot Salad

5 from 2 votes
Upgrade your side dish with this easy Tater Tot Salad—crispy tots, cool cucumber, and zesty pickles tossed in a creamy herby dressing.
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Prep Time:10 minutes
Cook Time:15 minutes
Total Time:25 minutes
Course: Appetizer, Brunch, Dinner, Lunch
Cuisine: American
Keyword: 30-minutes, Air Fryer
Servings: 4 servings
Calories: 257kcal

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

Serving: 4servings | Calories: 257kcal | Carbohydrates: 29g | Protein: 4g | Fat: 15g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 5g | Monounsaturated Fat: 7g | Trans Fat: 0.01g | Cholesterol: 2mg | Sodium: 660mg | Potassium: 374mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin A: 275IU | Vitamin C: 12mg | Calcium: 45mg | Iron: 1mg