Looking for tater tots appetizer recipe ideas? Smashed tater tots make for an easier, crispier take on the traditional pulled pork potato skins recipe. Loaded with cheese, BBQ sauce, and pulled pork, these delicious mini loaded tater tot appetizers are perfect for a tailgate or game day party. Keep reading to see everything you need to know to make these loaded smashed tater tots with pulled pork in just 30 minutes! If you’re ready to get cookin’ the easy tater tot appetizers, click the Jump to Recipe button above to go straight to the tater tots potato skins recipe.

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What you need to make these mini loaded tater tot appetizers

Here are the ingredients you’ll need to make these smashed tater tot appetizers:
- 1/2 of a 28-ounce bag Grown In Idaho Super Crispy Tots (14 ounces). Only super crispy, 100% real Idaho-grown Grown In Idaho potatoes will do for recipes like these smashed tater tots, as they stay crispy no matter how they’re topped or baked! You can also substitute Grown In Idaho Super Crispy Waffle Fries for the Tots if you prefer, and won’t need to smash them.
- 8 ounces prepared pulled pork. These pulled pork tater tots are a great way to use up leftover pulled pork after a barbecue.
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1/4 cup BBQ sauce (your favorite kind! I’m personally a fan of Salt Lick or Stubb’s.)
- 1/3 cup sour cream
- 3 green onions, chopped
How to make these smashed tater tot appetizers

To make this tater tots appetizer recipe, start by preheating the oven to 425 degrees Fahrenheit, then line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Arrange frozen tots in a single layer on the prepared baking sheet. Bake for 15 minutes, then remove the baking sheet from the oven.

Using the bottom of a small bowl or flat kitchen spatula gently smash groups of 2 tots together to make a flattened oval (it helps to slightly overlap them if you’re making loaded smashed tater tots like we’re doing for this recipe).

Using tongs or a spatula, carefully flip the smashed tater tots over. Return to the oven to bake for 5 more minutes.

Remove from the oven and top the smashed tater tots with pulled pork and shredded cheese. Return to the oven for about 5 more minutes or until the loaded smashed tater tots are super crispy and browned, and the cheese is melted.

Drizzle the tater tot appetizers with BBQ sauce, add a small dollop of sour cream, and sprinkle with the green onions.

If desired, serve the mini loaded tater tot appetizers with additional BBQ sauce and sour cream.


These really are easy tater tot appetizers!



Here’s the pulled pork tater tot “potato skins” recipe! Enjoy these smashed tater tots with pulled pork, and look for Grown In Idaho Super Crispy Tots online or in the freezer aisle of your grocery store.
Loaded Smashed Tater Tots with Pulled Pork
Smashed tater tots make for an easier, crispier take on the traditional pulled pork potato skins recipe. Loaded with cheese, BBQ sauce, and pulled pork, these delicious mini loaded tater tot appetizers are perfect for a tailgate or game day party.
Ingredients
- 1/2 of a (28-ounce bag) Grown In Idaho Super Crispy Tots (14 ounces)
- 8 ounces prepared pulled pork
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1/4 cup BBQ sauce
- 1/3 cup sour cream
- 3 green onions, chopped
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 425°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Arrange frozen tots in a single layer on the prepared baking sheet. Bake for 15 minutes, then remove the baking sheet from the oven.
- Using the bottom of a small bowl or flat kitchen spatula gently smash groups of 2 tots together to make a flattened oval (it helps to slightly overlap them). Using tongs or a spatula, carefully flip them over. Return to the oven to bake for 5 more minutes.
- Remove from the oven and top the tots with pulled pork and shredded cheese. Return to the oven for about 5 more minutes or until the tots are super crispy and browned, and the cheese is melted.
- Drizzle with BBQ sauce, add a small dollop of sour cream, and sprinkle with the green onions.
Notes
- I prefer the Super Crispy Grown In Idaho Tots for recipes like this, as they stay crispy no matter how they’re topped or baked.
- You can substitute Grown In Idaho Super Crispy Waffle Fries for the tater tots if you prefer, and you won't have to smash them. This brand of waffle fries also stays nice and crispy in recipes like this.
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