Who doesn’t love tater tots? These Tasty Loaded Tater Tot Appetizers take this classic comfort food to the next level with all your favorite toppings like melted cheese, crispy bacon, sour cream, and green onions. Perfect for a party, game night, or as a fun snack, these loaded tater tots are sure to disappear in no time!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe?
- Easy to Make: Quick and simple, with minimal ingredients.
- Perfect for Sharing: Serve as an appetizer or party snack that everyone will love.
- Customizable: Top with your favorite ingredients or add a little extra heat if you like spice.
- Crowd-Pleaser: Who can resist crispy tater tots topped with cheese, bacon, and all the fixings?
Ingredients
Here’s what you’ll need for these loaded tater tots:
- Frozen tater tots
- Shredded cheddar cheese (or your favorite cheese)
- Cooked bacon (crumbled)
- Sour cream
- Green onions (chopped)
- Salt and pepper (to taste)
Full ingredient measurements are listed below in the recipe card!
Directions
Step 1: Cook the Tater Tots
Preheat your oven according to the instructions on the frozen tater tot package (usually around 400°F or 200°C). Spread the tater tots in a single layer on a baking sheet and bake for 20-25 minutes, or until golden and crispy.
Step 2: Add the Cheese and Bacon
Once the tater tots are crispy and done, remove them from the oven. Sprinkle the shredded cheddar cheese evenly over the tots and top with crumbled bacon. Return the tater tots to the oven for an additional 5 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
Step 3: Add the Toppings
Once the cheesy bacon-loaded tater tots are out of the oven, top them with a dollop of sour cream and a sprinkle of chopped green onions. You can also add a pinch of salt and pepper for extra seasoning.
Step 4: Serve and Enjoy
Serve these loaded tater tots hot, and enjoy the crispy, cheesy goodness! You can serve them as a party appetizer or snack for a cozy night in.
Expert Tips and Tricks
- Crispier Tater Tots: For even crispier tots, try spreading them out on the baking sheet in a single layer, ensuring they have enough space to crisp up.
- Cheese Variations: While cheddar is classic, you can use other cheeses like mozzarella, Monterey Jack, or even a spicy cheese blend for extra flavor.
- Add Spice: Add some jalapeño slices or drizzle with hot sauce for a spicy twist!
Recipe Variations and Possible Substitutions
- Vegetarian Option: Skip the bacon and add other toppings like black olives, sautéed mushrooms, or guacamole for a vegetarian version.
- Buffalo Style: Drizzle some buffalo sauce over the tater tots before baking for a spicy, tangy flavor.
- Different Toppings: Try topping the tater tots with chili, pulled pork, or grilled chicken for a heartier option.
Serving and Pairing Suggestions
These Tasty Loaded Tater Tot Appetizers are perfect on their own, but they pair wonderfully with other finger foods like chicken wings, sliders, or vegetable platters. You could also serve them with a dipping sauce like ranch or blue cheese for extra flavor.
Storage and Reheating Tips
- Storage: Leftover loaded tater tots can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 days.
- Reheating: Reheat in the oven at 350°F (175°C) for about 10 minutes to restore the crispiness. You can also microwave them, but they may lose some of their crisp texture.
FAQs
1. Can I make these ahead of time?
You can prepare the tater tots ahead of time and top them with cheese and bacon, then store them in the fridge. When ready to serve, just pop them in the oven to melt the cheese and heat them through.
2. What if I don’t have sour cream?
You can use Greek yogurt, ranch dressing, or even a creamy dip as a substitute for sour cream.
3. Can I use homemade tater tots instead of frozen?
Yes! If you have homemade tater tots, bake them the same way and follow the rest of the recipe to load them with toppings.
4. Can I make these spicy?
For sure! Add jalapeños, drizzle hot sauce over the tots, or even sprinkle chili flakes over the cheese for a spicy kick.
Conclusion
These Tasty Loaded Tater Tot Appetizers are an easy, crowd-pleasing treat that everyone will love. Whether you’re hosting a party or just craving something crispy and cheesy, these loaded tots will hit the spot every time. Try them out, and get ready for compliments all around!
Print
Tasty Loaded Tater Tot Appetizers
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4–6 servings 1x
- Category: Appetizer, Snack
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
These Tasty Loaded Tater Tot Appetizers are the perfect combination of crispy tater tots, melted cheese, crispy bacon, and all your favorite toppings! Easy to make and a guaranteed hit at any party, these savory bites are great for snacking or serving as a fun appetizer.
Ingredients
- 1 bag (32 ounces) frozen tater tots
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1/2 cup crumbled cooked bacon (about 6 strips)
- 1/4 cup chopped green onions
- 1 cup sour cream
- 1 tablespoon ranch dressing mix (optional for extra flavor)
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder (optional)
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 425°F (220°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat.
- Spread the frozen tater tots evenly on the prepared baking sheet in a single layer.
- Bake the tater tots according to the package instructions, typically for 20-25 minutes, or until they’re golden brown and crispy.
- Once the tater tots are done, remove them from the oven and sprinkle with shredded cheddar cheese while they’re still hot, so it melts over the tots.
- Sprinkle the crumbled bacon, chopped green onions, and any optional seasonings (garlic powder and paprika) over the cheesy tater tots.
- Serve the loaded tater tots hot with a side of sour cream mixed with ranch dressing mix for dipping.
Notes
- Feel free to add other toppings like jalapeños, diced tomatoes, or avocado for an extra kick.
- These are best served immediately while the tater tots are still crispy.
- You can prepare the toppings ahead of time for a quick assembly when you’re ready to serve.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving (1/4 of the recipe)
- Calories: 290
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 550mg
- Fat: 19g
- Saturated Fat: 7g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 26g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 7g
- Cholesterol: 30mg