Smashed Tater Tots

If crispy sizzling tater tots make you grin, then you’ve got to strive these irresistible Smashed Tater Tots! Each time I make these, my entire household simply stands round and grabs them off the pan.

A horizontally aligned image of a white plate on a wooden tabletop with a black and white tea towel visible in the background at the top. Crispy tater tots are piled high on the plate, sprinkled with fresh chopped parsley and shredded parmesan.

Who doesn’t love cheese and potatoes? I’ve been making snacks, entrees, and aspect dishes round this pairing since “the 1900s”, as my boys are all too blissful to laughingly remind me. This recipe was impressed by our favourite cheesy bacon tater tots, and these smashed potatoes with parmesan are additionally fairly related. I’ll warning you, although. These tots are immensely snackable. They won’t final lengthy!

And the perfect half? It’s simply 4 substances. Tots, cooking spray, cheese, and parsley. That’s it. The prep work takes lower than 5 minutes. Then, it’s only a matter of time!

My mates, I’ve to confess that I like tater tots. Whether or not served as a aspect dish, important course, or only a snack on the go, they’re a easy, satisfying, and endlessly versatile potato. And, you already know the way a lot we love potatoes round right here! Tots have grow to be one in every of my favourite choices to bulk up a last-minute dinner, or check out any new dipping sauces I’m testing.

However, smashing is the transfer! You bake the tots first to get them heat and smooth inside, then press each flat with the underside of a measuring cup. They return into the oven at the next temp, and get so splendidly crunchy and crispy. And, because you’re ranging from frozen, there’s completely no fuss with this recipe for smashed tater tots.

A vertically aligned action shot showing the olive oil spray coating the bottom of the flat-bottomed measuring cup.

Components and Substitutions

Tater Tots – The important thing right here is that they’re frozen, not thawed. I’m not model loyal on tots. We nearly all the time purchase ours at Kroger.

Cheese – I desire freshly shredded Parmesan for its sharper taste. Pre-grated will work in a pinch, however freshly grated melts higher and tastes higher (that is a type of instances the place you possibly can inform).

Parsley – You’ll love the contemporary pop of colour and vibrance that chopped Italian parsley provides as a ending transfer. However, if you happen to hate it, you possibly can depart it out. I gained’t choose.

Cooking Spray – I exploit olive oil Pam spray as a result of it’s handy to make use of. However, you too can drizzle and unfold the oil round. Or, use a handheld oil sprayer like this (I’ve one, I’m simply not 100% bought on it. When the oil mists out like within the photos, it’s nice! However typically, it acts extra like a squirt gun in observe).

A vertically aligned action shot, showing the measuring cup pressing down on the roasted tater tots.

Notes on Tools

Rimmed baking sheet – I’ve had a few of my Nordic Ware baking sheets for over 20 years, and so they’re nonetheless going robust. They’re sturdy however gentle, and the value is correct.
Heavy measuring cup (for urgent)
Olive oil cooking spray
Spatula (for flipping) – I’ve saved one in every of these OXO versatile nylon turners beside my range for over a decade. Tremendous helpful for duties like turning these tots.

A top down vertically aligned image of tater tots on a sheet pan. they have been compressed into flat discs.

The way to Make Smashed Tater Tots

Preheating the Oven: Flip the change on you oven to 400°F. Whereas the oven heats up, I often grate the Parmesan and chop the parsley so the whole lot is able to go once I want it.

Laying Out the Tots: I evenly grease a rimmed baking sheet with cooking spray. Then, you simply unfold the tater tots in a single, even layer throughout the pan with house between them. No touching. They want room for airflow so the sides can crisp.

First Bake: Slide the pan into the oven and allow them to bake for 20 minutes. We’re not on the lookout for crispy but. I simply need them cooked by way of sufficient to press.

Growing the Temp: Pull the pan out and crank the oven as much as 450°F.

Smashing: That is the enjoyable half. Spray the underside of a heavy measuring cup with oil in order that the tots don’t stick, then gently press every tot flat towards the pan. You need them compacted however nonetheless agency sufficient to flip later. We’re not pulverizing these potatoes.

Second Bake: I return the smashed tots to the oven and bake one other 10-Quarter-hour, till they get golden and crispy across the edges.

Flipping and Cheesing: Pull the pan out yet one more time. You want to flip every tot over. Then, sprinkle with the grated Parmesan.

Closing Bake: We’re placing them again within the oven for five extra minutes, simply till the cheese melts.

Serving: Allow them to cool for only a minute or two (they’re sizzling), sprinkle with parsley, and serve with the dipping sauce of your alternative.

A vertically aligned top down image of a metal sheet pan covered with smashed tater tots, ready to eat.

Knowledgeable Tip

Probably crucial factor you are able to do to make sure that every tater tot is crispy and satisfying is depart sufficient house between the tots as they bake. Unfold them in a single, even layer throughout the pan, attempting to not have too many tots touching each other. This enables the sides to crisp evenly within the oven. Crowding the pan traps steam, and steam is the arch-enemy of roasting and crisping these edges.

At all times Begin Frozen – Don’t thaw the tater tots earlier than baking. Including them to the pan frozen is essential. Thawing modifications the cooking time and may end up in tots with inconsistent texture and temperature.

Use Recent Toppings – A part of what this frozen tots recipe so wonderful is the contemporary pop for distinction. Crispy tots with contemporary cheese and herbs. The one factor they want now could be a dip. And, don’t fear, I’ve obtained that lined (simply preserve studying).

Oil the Cup – Spray the underside of your urgent software with cooking spray earlier than smashing. This may preserve the tots from sticking and tearing aside.

Serving Recommendations

This smashed tater tots recipe was developed fairly actually with dipping in thoughts. And, heaven is aware of I’ve loads of choices! Blackened ranch dressing is one in every of our favorites.

However, my avocado cream sauce and cajun dipping sauce are additionally each incredible decisions that frequently seem on our desk. For critical snacking, I’ll put out a complete tray of smashed tots alongside these dips and simply let my crew go at it.

A vertically aligned image of a white plate piled high with smashed tater tots, covered in cheese and herbs.

Storage & Reheating

The way to Retailer: Retailer any leftover smashed tater tots in a single layer in an hermetic container within the fridge for as much as 2 days. Stacking them will make them soften and get soggy.

The way to Reheat: Unfold them again out on a baking sheet and reheat at 425°F for 5-8 minutes. They gained’t be fairly as crispy as the primary time round, however the oven will carry again a few of that crunch. You can too use the air fryer for a smaller portion.

Extra Tater Tot Recipes

A vertically aligned image with a hand in the foreground, holding a smashed tater tot covered with shredded parmesan and chopped parsley.

How can I stop the tater tots from sticking to the pan?

Grease the pan earlier than baking. And, ensure to spray the underside of your measuring cup earlier than urgent. Flipping the tots earlier than including cheese additionally helps them launch from the pan.

Why do I have to smash them?

Urgent the tots flat compacts these layers of crunchy potato. Extra floor space means extra crunch once they’re completed within the oven. It’s the distinction between an everyday tater tot and one thing you possibly can’t cease reaching for.

How onerous ought to I press?

Flat sufficient that the tot is compacted towards the pan, however nonetheless agency sufficient to flip with out falling aside. You’re not attempting to make potato paper. Only a agency, flat disc.

Can I exploit the air fryer for these?

I haven’t examined it, but it surely ought to work. You’d have to bake, press, after which air fry at a excessive temp in batches. The oven is less complicated whenever you’re making a big batch.

Preheat the oven to 400°F. Flippantly grease a baking sheet with cooking spray. Unfold the tater tots throughout the greased pan. Bake for 20 minutes.
Take away the tots from the oven. Enhance the temperature to 450°F. Spray the underside of a heavy measuring cup with oil and gently press down on every tot to flatten them. Return them to the oven and bake an extra 10-Quarter-hour, till they begin to crisp.
Take away from the oven, flip every tot over, and high with Parmesan cheese, if desired. Bake an extra 5 minutes. Sprinkle with parsley and serve with the dipping sauce of your alternative.