Loaded Tater Tots Recipe are an easy appetizer or simple dinner with just three ingredients! Crispy tots are topped with bacon and cheddar cheese – you’re going to love how fabulous this recipe is. It’s perfect for parties or game day too!
Easy Loaded Tater Tot Recipe
Maybe you’ve had plain tater tots dipped in ketchup, but have you ever had loaded tater tots? It’s a really easy appetizer that is like loaded French fries or nachos but made with tater tots instead.
Hot tater tots are topped with crispy bacon and melted cheese – the flavor combination is delicious. I make this recipe whenever I’m having people over for game day. They are easy to grab, go, and to snack on. Once you have one, you’ll want the whole plate. Make this recipe for any upcoming event!
Ingredients Needed
- Tater Tots: Use whatever brand you have easily available to you! (we use frozen tater tots) All kinds of tater tots go great with these toppings.
- Bacon: I love bacon, but you can feel free to substitute it for any other meat, or meat replacement!
- Shredded Cheddar Cheese: Whether you buy pre shredded cheese, or shred your own, it doesn’t matter!
Variations & Substitutions
- I used cheddar cheese because it is the one my family uses most often. If you want to switch it up – try another cheese! Pepper Jack, Monterey Jack, Mozzarella, or whatever easy to melt cheese you have on hand.
- My favorite sauces for this recipe are Ranch Dressing, BBQ, Sour Cream, Cheese Sauce, and any kind of Salsa.
- If you don’t like bacon, or cannot have it, try: ground beef, ground turkey, shredded chicken, or any beyond/ vegetarian meat.
- Top this recipe with any extra items like lettuce and tomatoes.
How to Make Loaded Tater Tops
- Preheat the oven and place tater tots on large sheet pan, or baking sheet, in a single layer. While waiting for the oven to heat up, cook bacon in a saucepan until crispy and set aside.
- Once the tater tots are close to being done, remove from oven. Push tater tots close together and sprinkle cheese over the top. Then add bacon bits. Turn on your broiler. Place cookie sheet on a high rack and let the cheese melt. About 1-2 minutes. Remove and serve hot.
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Expert tips
- If you are using a larger meat, make sure to chop it into smaller pieces so this recipe is easy to eat!
- Tater tots are often cooked in the oven, but did you know most tots can be baked in the air fryer. A lot of packages have air fryer directions on the back, so make your life even easier and cook them in the air fryer.
- You want these crispy tater tots to be golden brown.
- When making bacon, have paper towels set aside to lay the bacon on. Layer the paper towels in between every few bacon strips to suck up the excess grease.
FAQs
Store covered on the counter for a few days. I do not recommend freezing these because they are hard to defrost once the cheese and bacon are on top.
Loaded Tater Tots Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 28 ounce bag tater tots
- 7 strips bacon
- 2 cups cheddar cheese shredded
Instructions
- Follow directions on the tater tot package and pre-heat oven (usually 400°F) and place tater tots on large cookie sheet in a single layer. While waiting for the oven to heat up, cook bacon until crispy and set aside.
- Once the tater tots are close to being done, remove from oven. Push tater tots close together and sprinkle cheese over the top. Then add bacon bits. Turn on your broiler. Place cookie sheet on a high rack and let the cheese melt. About 1-2 minutes. Remove and serve hot.
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I made these tonight with our tacos. Delicious! I added sliced green onions after they came out and a dollop of sour cream. Will make again, and will be an excellent super bowl appetizer!!
Looks delicious, making them this evening for dinner.
Making for dinner this evening. I am adding green sweet pepper, onion and pepperoni (mimi), also mozzarella cheese, shredded
Yummy!
I cook the tater tots at least 15 to 20 minutes longer than it said and they still didn’t get Chris so there must be a secret to that
Try deep frying, they taste waaaaay better and so crispy
Kit, try doing the tots in an air fryer…come out crispy every time… works for me much better than doing these in the oven…good luck..
What other ingredients can be used on Loaded Tater Tots?
Going to take tater tots to party
Can I put them in crockpot to stay warm ?
Husband & I really enjoyed this. He’s a meat-lover so I also added taco seasoned ground beef. He wants me to make this again already!!
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