These loaded tater tots are an easy, crowd-pleasing appetizer that come together in minutes. Crispy tater tots are baked, topped with melted cheddar and bacon bits, then finished with cool sour cream and bright green onions for a perfect bite.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
Crispy, cheesy, and ready in under 30 minutes. It’s a hands-off bake with big flavor that’s perfect for parties, game day, or a simple snack.
Recipe Card
Bake frozen tater tots until golden and crispy, sprinkle with cheddar and bacon bits, return to the oven to melt the cheese, then finish with dollops of sour cream and chopped green onions. Key ingredients: tater tots, cheddar cheese, bacon bits, sour cream, green onions.
How To Make This Recipe
Ingredients :
Tater tots, Cheddar cheese, Bacon bits, Sour cream, Green onions
What Type Of Ingredients Should I Use
Choose frozen tater tots labeled crispy or oven-ready for best texture. Use a good melting cheddar for smooth, gooey coverage. Keep bacon bits in a sealed container or use cooked bacon chopped small. Use fresh green onions for color and crisp flavor. No thawing needed for the tots; pat any excess moisture from thawed toppings before adding.
Directions :
- Preheat the oven according to package instructions for the tater tots.
- Spread the tater tots on a baking sheet and bake until golden and crispy.
- Remove from the oven and sprinkle cheese and bacon bits over the top.
- Return to the oven and bake until the cheese is melted.
- Top with dollops of sour cream and chopped green onions before serving.
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How To Serve This Recipe
Serve warm on a platter for easy sharing. Offer extra sour cream and sliced green onions on the side for guests to customize each bite.
How To Store This Recipe
Refrigerate leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days. Reheat in a single layer on a baking sheet at 350°F (175°C) until warmed and the cheese is melty.
Helpful Tips For This Recipe
Arrange tots in a single layer so they crisp evenly. Add cheese and bacon only after initial baking to keep tots crispy. Use a hot oven and avoid overcrowding the pan.
Variations (simple alternatives related to the dish)
Swap cheddar for pepper jack or a Mexican blend for extra spice. Replace bacon bits with chopped cooked chicken or diced bell pepper for a different topping. Serve with salsa or ranch instead of sour cream.
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FAQs
Q: Can I make these ahead of time?
A: You can pre-bake the tots, then add cheese and finish just before serving to keep them crisp.
Q: Can I bake on a sheet pan with parchment paper?
A: Yes, parchment or a lightly greased sheet works fine, but a metal baking sheet often gives the best crisp.
Q: How do I make these vegetarian?
A: Omit bacon bits or use a vegetarian bacon substitute and proceed the same way.
Conclusion
For more fun appetizer ideas, see Appetizers – Loaded Tater Tot Bites and try a shareable twist with Loaded Tater Tots on Shareable Skewers.
Loaded Tater Tots
Ingredients
Method
- Preheat the oven according to package instructions for the tater tots.
- Spread the tater tots on a baking sheet and bake until golden and crispy.
- Remove from the oven and sprinkle cheese and bacon bits over the top.
- Return to the oven and bake until the cheese is melted.
- Top with dollops of sour cream and chopped green onions before serving.
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