Smashed Tater Tots

If crispy scorching tater tots make you grin, then you’ve got to strive these irresistible Smashed Tater Tots! Each time I make these, my complete 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 facet dishes round this pairing since “the 1900s”, as my boys are all too joyful 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 very best half? It’s simply 4 components. 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 pals, I’ve to confess that I really like tater tots. Whether or not served as a facet dish, important course, or only a snack on the go, they’re a easy, satisfying, and endlessly versatile potato. And, you already understand how a lot we love potatoes round right here! Tots have change into one in all 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 tender inside, then press each flat with the underside of a measuring cup. They return into the oven at a better 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 at all times 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 may inform).

Parsley – You’ll love the recent pop of shade and vibrance that chopped Italian parsley provides as a ending transfer. However, if you happen to hate it, you may depart it out. I gained’t decide.

Cooking Spray – I take advantage of olive oil Pam spray as a result of it’s handy to make use of. However, you may as well 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 footage, 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 Gear

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 mild, and the worth is true.
Heavy measuring cup (for urgent)
Olive oil cooking spray
Spatula (for flipping) – I’ve stored one in all these OXO versatile nylon turners beside my range for over a decade. Tremendous useful 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.

Easy methods to Make Smashed Tater Tots

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

Laying Out the Tots: I frivolously grease a rimmed baking sheet with cooking spray. Then, you simply unfold the tater tots in a single, even layer throughout the pan with area 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 in search of crispy but. I simply need them cooked by means 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 in opposition to 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 another time. You’ll want to flip every tot over. Then, sprinkle with the grated Parmesan.

Remaining 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 scorching), 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.

Skilled Tip

Presumably crucial factor you are able to do to make sure that every tater tot is crispy and satisfying is depart sufficient area between the tots as they bake. Unfold them in a single, even layer throughout the pan, making an attempt to not have too many tots touching each other. This permits 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.

All the time 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 can lead to tots with inconsistent texture and temperature.

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

Oil the Cup – Spray the underside of your urgent instrument with cooking spray earlier than smashing. It will maintain the tots from sticking and tearing aside.

Serving Strategies

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 all our favorites.

However, my avocado cream sauce and cajun dipping sauce are additionally each unbelievable decisions that usually seem on our desk. For severe 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

Easy methods 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.

Easy methods 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 deliver 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 forestall the tater tots from sticking to the pan?

Grease the pan earlier than baking. And, be sure 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 must 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 may’t cease reaching for.

How laborious ought to I press?

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

Can I take advantage of the air fryer for these?

I haven’t examined it, however it ought to work. You’d must bake, press, after which air fry at a excessive temp in batches. The oven is simpler while 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 a further 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 a further 5 minutes. Sprinkle with parsley and serve with the dipping sauce of your alternative.