Step 1

Preheat oven to 425° F.

Step 2

Spread out the frozen tater tots onto a large ungreased, or unlined, baking sheet. Be sure to leave space between the individual tater tots so that they can crisp evenly around all the edges.

Step 3

Bake the tater tots for 10 minutes.

Step 4

While the tater tots are baking, make the butter mixture by stirring together in a small bowl the melted unsalted butter, salt, black pepper and garlic powder. Set aside.

Step 5

Remove the tater tots from the oven and using the flat bottom of a small juice glass, gently smash each of the tater tots on the baking sheet to ¼ inch thickness. You want to apply light pressure so as to not smash the tater tots completely flat or they will get too crispy.

Step 6

Using a pastry brush, brush each of the smashed tater tots with a light coating of the melted butter mixture.

Step 7

Return the smashed tater tots to the oven to finish baking for another 10-15 minutes or until the tater tots are golden and crispy all around the edges. Be careful to not allow them to get too crispy or burnt.

Step 8

Remove the smashed tater tots from the oven and allow them to cool slightly on the baking sheet before plating and serving.