If you have not tried the crispy Viral Tater Tot Potato Salad yet, you are in for a treat! This is my twist on the viral recipe and you’re going to love it. It is an easy side or main dish, perfect for a summertime party, BBQ or lunch outside in the sunshine! Whip it up in under 45 minutes for a comforting recipe that’s so quick and easy to make. The luscious, creamy dressing is bright, dairy free and so good that you could eat it alone as a dip! For other delicious fun potato recipes, try my Sweet Potato Cups, my Shepherd’s Pie stuffed potato and my Big Mac Potato Skins.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
I’ve put my own spin on the viral Tater Tot Potato Salad and it is now my side dish summer essential!
This loaded salad is packed with delicious ingredients like crunchy, fresh herbs, crispy tater tots, the MOST flavorful creamy dressing. I also added bacon for some extra protein and crunch.
It takes under 30 minutes to make.
It’s gluten free (as long as you use gluten free tater tots) and dairy free.
Cooking up tater tots is so convenient!
This is such a fun twist on the classic potato salad.
There are no hidden ingredients in the homemade dressing – zero preservatives, no sugar, no gums.
What Is The Viral Tater Tot Potato Salad?
The viral Tater Tot Potato Salad is a fun twist on a traditional potato salad. It’s a take on a classic version with both fresh ingredients and creamy, cozy textures.
This salad is honestly so delicious. The dressing is made with cashew cream, and is loaded with veggies, fresh herbs and bacon.
It’s a real crowd-pleaser, with crispy, comforting tater tots in place of the classic boiled potato version.
Equipment Needed
I used an air fryer to cook my tater tots, but you can also pop them in the oven! You’ll also need a pan, bowl, knife and cutting board, as well as a high-speed blender to make the silky dressing for your Tater Tot Potato Salad!
Ingredients Needed
Tater tots: You’ll need a bag of frozen tater tots. I love the Roots brand!
Cucumbers: This recipe uses 2 mini ones, but you can also use 1 large cucumber.
Bacon: I used crumbled, turkey bacon this recipe but you could make it with regular bacon too. My favorite turkey bacon is from ButcherBox! You can use code LAUREN for $30 off your first order!
Green onions: These add a subtle onion flavor that is classic in potato salad!
Dill: Fresh dill is perfection in a Tater Tot Potato Salad.
Olive oil: Use a good quality olive oil for the dressing.
Garlic: Garlic adds savory goodness to the dressing. I recommend fresh, not powdered.
Chives: Optional, but I love the mild flavor.
Lemon juice: This gives the dressing a bright flavor!
Cashews: You’ll need to soak them ahead of time so they blend up smoothly.
Step By Step Instructions
Step 1: Gather your ingredients.
Step 2: Cook your tater tots (according to their package instructions). I like to make them in the air fryer so they are nice and crispy!
Step 3: Cook the bacon.
Step 4: Make the dressing. Add all the dressing ingredients to a high-speed blender: the olive oil, garlic, fresh chives, and soaked cashews. Combine until smooth!
Step 5: Crumble the bacon and chop the veggies.
Step 6: Gently smash the tater tots with the back of a glass.
Step 7: Into a bowl, add the smashed tater tots, cucumbers, bacon and green onions.
Step 8: Dress the potato mixture with the salad dressing, top with fresh dill and serve.
Storage
The leftover Tater Tot Potato Salad recipe can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for about 3 days. The salad will lose some of its crunchy texture when you store it, but it will still be delicious. I don’t recommend freezing this recipe.
Variations
Loaded Tater Tot Potato Salad: Add shredded cheese, diced red peppers, asparagus, charred artichokes. The options are endless!
Spicy Southwest style version: Swap the dill for cilantro, add corn, black beans and loads of sliced jalapenos. Add some lime and chipotle to the dressing.
Vegan Tater Tot Potato Salad: Add some roasted chickpeas in place of the bacon!
Greek style: Add in some crumbled vegan feta cheese, olive, sliced and sliced red onion.
BBQ ranch version: Mix in some shredded chicken (rotisserie is great) or even some simple pulled pork.
Other Sauces To Use:
You can easily switch up the dressing. Try these:
- Ranch or chipotle ranch are convenient and will also be delicious
- Sour cream and chive dressing for a loaded baked potato flavor
- Green goddess dressing
- Tzatziki
- A smoky BBQ mayo
How To Serve
These are so many ways to enjoy this Tater Tot Potato Salad:
- Serve it as is, warm or at room temperature, as a side dish for cookouts or summer lunches.
- Breakfast Tater Tot Potato Salad: Turn your salad into a brunch side by adding a poached egg on top!
- Just as it is a lunch or dinner!
- I like to eat this recipe as soon as it’s ready, but it’s also delicious made ahead.
Recipe FAQ
Can I make potatoes from scratch for this?
Yes, you can. If you prefer to use homemade over frozen, try roasting crispy potato cubes or making DIY tater tots.
What protein would taste good with this?
The salad already includes bacon, but you can also bulk it up with grilled or shredded chicken, hard-boiled eggs, seared tofu or flaked salmon. Try adding crumbled sausage or some pan-fried ground turkey.
Is this Tater Tot Potato Salad gluten free?
It can be gluten free as long as the brand of tater tots you use is gluten free, so you’ll need to check the packaging.
Is this recipe dairy free?
Yes, it’s naturally dairy free as the creamy cashew-based dressing contains no gluten. Check all your labels as usual, to be double sure!
Related Recipes
Be sure to try these spring and summer salad ideas next:
If you make this Tater Tot Potato Salad and love it, I would really appreciate a 5 star review! I also love seeing your creations so please tag me on Instagram or TikTok.
Tater Tot Potato Salad
Equipment
- 1 oven or air fryer
- 1 pan
- 1 bowl
- 1 cutting board
- 1 knife
- 1 high-speed blender
Ingredients
- 1 bag frozen tater tots
- 2 mini cucumbers
- 8 slices bacon crumbled
- 2 bunches green onions chopped
- 1 tbsp fresh dill
DRESSING
- ½ cup olive oil
- 1 clove garlic
- 2 tbsp fresh chives
- 1 lemon juiced
- 1 cup cashews soaked
Instructions
- Gather your ingredients.
- Cook tater tots and bacon according to package.
- While they are cooking, combine ingredients for dressing in a high-speed blender.
- Chop veggies and crumble bacon.
- Lightly smash tater tots with the back of a glass (optional).
- Add tater tots, to a bowl with cucumbers, bacon and green onions.
- Pour dressing over. Sprinkle fresh dill, serve and enjoy!
Notes
2. Taste and balance the flavors of the dressing if you need to.
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