# Crispy Tater Caesar Salad: A Playful Take on a Classic
Smashed tater tots, blackened chicken, bacon bits, and crunchy vegetables are combined with romaine lettuce and Caesar dressing for a playful, fresh interpretation of a traditional salad!
## What is Crispy Tater Caesar Salad?
Tater Caesar salad is a trending sensation and it’s easy to see why! This salad showcases crispy, cheesy smashed tater tots instead of croutons, making it just as enjoyable to prepare as it is to savor.
### Key Features
– **Flavor**: Cheesy, savory, salty, and crunchy, this salad satisfies every craving!
– **Recommended Tools**: An air fryer is ideal for achieving perfectly crispy tots every time.
– **Time-Saving Tip**: Opt for bottled dressing, pre-cooked bacon, and rotisserie or leftover chicken to quickly whip up this recipe.
– **Make Ahead**: Prepare the tater Caesar salad a day in advance, chill, and mix with dressing just before serving.
## Ingredient Tips for Tater Tot Caesar Salad
– **Tater Tots**: Purchase or prepare potato tots and freeze any leftovers for future use! Waffle fries and home fries can serve a similar purpose.
– **Chicken**: Use fresh or frozen (and thawed) cutlets which are already portioned and ready to go! Chicken tenders or nuggets can be quickly cooked in the air fryer for added crunch.
– **Bacon and Cheese**: Bacon bits and parmesan cheese offer a salty crunch to the crispy tot Caesar salad. Diced ham, chopped salami, or pepperoni can substitute for bacon.
– **Veggies**: Romaine is the traditional lettuce for Caesar salads. For a nutritional boost, consider adding kale to the romaine mix.
– **Dressing**: Store-bought or homemade? Craft your own Caesar dressing using basic fridge ingredients and keep extra for a veggie dip or for chicken Caesar wraps.
### Variations
– Sweet potato tater tots make for a vibrant and healthier alternative to regular potato tots!
– Optional vegetables such as diced bell peppers, shredded carrots, or shredded Brussels sprouts can enhance crunch and flavor.
– Anchovies are a classic component, so think about incorporating a teaspoon of anchovy paste into the dressing for a touch of that essence.
## How to Make Tater Caesar Salad
1. **Bake**: Oven-bake and smash tater tots, sprinkle with parmesan cheese, and re-bake until golden brown alongside chicken in the same dish.
2. **Mix**: In a large bowl, combine dressing with cheese, green onions, celery, bacon, and chopped chicken into bite-sized pieces.
3. **Combine**: Gently fold in chopped chicken, lettuce, and crispy tater tots.
4. **Garnish**: Finish with additional parmesan cheese, cracked pepper, or croutons.
### Tips
– Apply pan release spray on the tots prior to baking for extra crispy edges.
– Handle the salad gently to avoid breaking apart the tots.
– Store any leftover crispy tater Caesar salad in a sealed container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Revitalize the salad by discarding any wilted lettuce leaves and draining if needed. Add fresh romaine, parmesan cheese, and dressing if desired.
## More Hearty Salads to Try
Did you make this Crispy Tater Caesar Salad? Please leave a comment and rating below.
### Recipe Overview
– **Prep Time**: 15 minutes
– **Cook Time**: 40 minutes
– **Total Time**: 55 minutes
– **Servings**: 6
### Nutrition Information (per serving)
– **Calories**: 539
– **Carbohydrates**: 37g
– **Protein**: 20g
– **Fat**: 36g
– **Sodium**: 1359mg
– **Fiber**: 4g
This trending recipe highlights crispy tater tots blended with chicken, lettuce, parmesan, bacon, and a zesty Caesar salad dressing, making it a delightful enhancement to any meal. Relish the crunch and flavor of this distinctive salad!