Loaded Smashed Tater Tot Salad
This Loaded Smashed Tater Tot Salad is like a cross between comfort food and a fresh, flavorful salad. Imagine crispy tater tots, smashed to get even more golden edges, tossed with savory bacon and a sweet-tangy honey-Dijon dressing. It’s got crunch, flavor, and that irresistible combination of textures that makes every bite exciting. Plus, it’s super easy to throw together and perfect for any gathering. Serve it warm, and you’ll have people coming back for seconds (and maybe thirds!).
Servings
Ingredients
- 1 28-ounce package frozen bite-sized potato nuggets, thawed
- Cooking spray
- 8 ounces thick-cut bacon chopped
- 1 small yellow onion diced
- 3 garlic cloves minced
- 2 tbsp honey
- 1 tbsp Dijon mustard
- 1/2 c apple cider vinegar
- 3 tbsp olive oil
- 2 tbsp fresh parsley chopped
- 2 tbsp fresh chives chopped (optional)
- Kosher salt and freshly cracked black pepper to taste
Instructions
- Set your oven to 400°F and line two baking sheets with parchment paper to keep things from sticking.
- Spread the thawed tater tots evenly on the trays, and here’s the fun part—use the bottom of a glass to gently smash them. Give the smashed tots a good spray with cooking oil to help them crisp up, then pop them in the oven for 40-45 minutes until they’re golden and crispy.
- While the tots are baking, cook the chopped bacon in a sauté pan over medium heat until it’s nice and crispy. Use a slotted spoon to transfer the bacon to a paper towel-lined plate to drain off the excess grease.
- In the same pan with the bacon fat (because flavor!), add the diced onion and minced garlic. Sauté over medium heat until the onions turn soft and translucent. Then, stir in the honey, Dijon mustard, apple cider vinegar, and olive oil. Turn off the heat, and season with a bit of salt and pepper to taste.
- Once the tater tots are perfectly crispy, toss them in a large bowl with the Dijon dressing. Fold in the crispy bacon, fresh parsley, and those optional chives if you're using them. Serve it up and enjoy!
Notes
Good news! This recipe is already pretty close to gluten-free. Just make sure you double-check your tater tots, bacon, and mustard to ensure they’re labeled gluten-free (most of them should be). If you want to be extra cautious, look for gluten-free certified brands. Everything else is naturally gluten-free, so you don’t need to worry about major substitutions. You can enjoy this crispy, flavorful salad without any hassle—no one will even know the difference!