Ever seen tater tots and thought those would definitely be good in salad? Welcome to the club! This Smashed Tater Tot Salad with Creamy Dill Pickle Dressing is what happens when comfort food meets veggies. Crispy smashed tater tots are baked until golden and crunchy, then mixed with fresh, cool vegetables and a tangy, dill-forward yogurt dressing that takes it over the top.

A bowl of creamy potato salad with chopped green onions, diced pickles, fresh dill, and crispy bacon bits, served with wooden salad utensils on a patterned plate. Forks, a glass of water, and herbs are nearby.

Friends, when I started thinking about what I wanted to make for Super Bowl Sunday, I knew I wanted something a little different. Not another basic dip or predictable potato dish. I wanted something fun, crowd-friendly, and exciting to eat. This one checks all the boxes. First, we’re making a creamy dill pickle yogurt dressing with no mayo, because you already know how I feel about mayo. It’s tangy, punchy, and honestly good enough to eat straight off a spoon.

Then, instead of regular, boring potatoes, we’re using tater tots. Okay, sorry potatoes — I still love you, but not today! Smash them, bake them until super crispy, and you’ve got the perfect base for a unique salad. My boys would absolutely approve of this choice. From there, it’s all about layering in more pickles, fresh veggies, and that creamy dressing so every bite has the perfect amount of contrast and flavor.

This recipe is easy to make, packed with flavor, and exactly the kind of dish people are going to remember after the game is over. It’s fun, a little unexpected, and guaranteed to disappear — all good signs of a fantastic Super Bowl recipe.

A top-down view of ingredients for a recipe, including tater tots, chopped pickles, cucumbers, onions, bacon, fresh dill, mustard, lemon, seasonings, olive oil, and a bowl of creamy sauce. — To make this, you’ll need tater tots, Persian cucumbers, green onions, dill pickles, red onion, bacon, Greek yogurt, lemon, fresh dill, pickle juice, Dijon mustard, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, kosher salt, and ground black pepper.

A hand uses a whisk to mix a creamy sauce in a white bowl, surrounded by dill, lemon slices, mustard, breadcrumbs, and cucumber on a kitchen counter. — To make this, you’ll need tater tots, Persian cucumbers, green onions, dill pickles, red onion, bacon, Greek yogurt, lemon, fresh dill, pickle juice, Dijon mustard, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, kosher salt, and ground black pepper.

What You Need to make This Smashed Tater Tot Salad with Creamy Dill Pickle Dressing

Tater Tots: Smashing them creates tons of golden, crunchy edges. You can use whatever brand you like which may adjust the total quantity of tater tots.
Persian Cucumbers: Extra crisp and mild, these add fresh crunch and balance out the richness of the tater tots and dressing without watering anything down.
Green Onions: A softer, fresher onion flavor that adds just the right bite and a pop of color throughout the salad.
Dill Pickles: Briny, crunchy, and absolutely essential here. They bring that classic deli-style tang that makes this salad totally addictive.
Red Onion: Finely diced so it adds sharpness without overpowering. A little goes a long way and gives the salad great balance.
Bacon (Optional): Totally optional, but it adds an extra layer of comfort-food energy if you include it.
Greek Yogurt: The creamy, protein-packed base of the dressing that keeps things rich and tangy without using mayo.

Lemon: Brightens everything up and keeps the dressing from feeling heavy. The zest adds an extra pop you’ll love!
Fresh Dill: Non-negotiable in a pickle-forward dressing.
Dill Pickle Juice: This is what gives the dressing that unmistakable pickle tang and makes it truly special.
Dijon Mustard: Adds depth and a little sharpness while helping the dressing emulsify smoothly.
Paprika: Mild and subtle, but it rounds out the dressing and adds warmth and color.
Garlic Powder: Brings savory flavor without overpowering the dill and pickle vibes.
Onion Powder: Adds depth and balance to the dressing, enhancing all the other flavors.
Kosher Salt: Essential for bringing everything together. Make sure to taste before adding though since pickles can be salty.
Ground Black Pepper: Adds a gentle bite and the perfect finishing touch.

A hand is holding a metal measuring cup over a baking sheet filled with evenly arranged tater tots, surrounded by bowls of herbs and chopped vegetables. — *Bake for about 12 minutes, just until they’re heated through and starting to soften. Remove the pan from the oven and use the bottom of a measuring cup to gently smash each tot flat.*

How to Make This Smashed Tater Tot Salad

To make this smashed tater tot salad, start by crisping the tater tots. Preheat your oven to 425°F and spread the tater tots out on a large baking sheet in an even layer. Bake for about 12 minutes, just until they’re heated through and starting to soften. Remove the pan from the oven and use the bottom of a measuring cup to gently smash each tot flat.

Return the pan to the oven and bake for another 15–16 minutes, until the tots are golden brown and deeply crispy. Flip them once if needed and bake an additional 2–3 minutes for maximum crunch. Remove from the oven and set aside.

While the tater tots are baking, prepare the dressing. In a medium bowl or measuring cup, whisk together the Greek yogurt, lemon zest and juice, chopped dill, pickle juice, Dijon mustard, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, kosher salt, and black pepper. Mix until smooth and creamy, then taste and adjust seasoning as needed.

A large bowl filled with tater tots, topped with chopped bacon, cucumbers, pickles, red onion, and green onions. Around the bowl are fresh dill, sliced green onions, sauce, pepper, and extra pickles. — *Transfer the hot, crispy tater tots to a large serving bowl. Add the cucumbers, green onions, pickles, red onion, and bacon, if using.*

A large bowl of tater tots topped with chopped bacon, pickles, cucumber, green onions, and red onion, with dressing being poured over the ingredients. Sliced pickles and seasonings are nearby. — *Transfer the hot, crispy tater tots to a large serving bowl. Add the cucumbers, green onions, pickles, red onion, and bacon, if using.*

Next, prep the vegetables. Chop the Persian cucumbers, slice the green onions, finely dice the red onion, and chop the dill pickles. If using bacon, cook it until crispy and chop into bite-sized pieces.

Transfer the hot, crispy tater tots to a large serving bowl. Add the cucumbers, green onions, pickles, red onion, and bacon, if using. Pour the dressing over the top and gently toss until everything is evenly coated. Serve immediately while the tater tots are still crunchy for the best texture and flavor.

If you make this recipe, please be sure to leave a review and rating below! To see more recipes and behind the scenes, follow along on Instagram, TikTok, and Youtube! I’m also now on Pinterest, so stop by and take a look at what’s new.