These cheesy loaded tater tots are the definition of delicious. The tater tots are cooked until they are nice and crispy, then smothered in a blend of melted goodness – otherwise known as cheese, and topped with crumbled bacon and chives! Yummy!
Gourmet tater tots is a new food trend gracing gastropub menus over the last few years.
While I do like trying out the fancy tots, like buffalo chicken or crab dip, my all-time favorite are simple loaded tater tots: cheesy loaded tater tots! Why complicate something that is already amazing?
Cheesy loaded tater tots are great as a side or appetizer. I prefer to fry my tater tots because they are so much crisper, but in the essence of saving hands-on time or calories, you can bake them.
If you have any tater tots left, then these are also perfect for leftover tots from another meal!
PRO TIP: Don’t fool yourself, fried tater tots are SO much better than baked tater tots! But if you do bake them, do it in a single layer for maximum crunch.
This has become my go-to side dish to serve at parties and get togethers. I actually have started getting requests to make them now when we are having people over or going to someone’s house.
As I have said before, I would choose potatoes over any other vegetable on any given day. These cheesy loaded tater tots are technically potatoes with a little bit of alteration.
Therefore I will always include them on my list of potato favorites. They’re so mouth-watering when everything is combined!
Cheddar cheese and bacon with chives or green onions. You can also choose your favorite dipping sauce (of none if you are like me). Good choices are sour cream, ranch dressing, blue cheese or even homemade buffalo sauce.
What's In This Article
Ingredients
This simple recipe is made up of only a few basic ingredients. Check out the section below to see ways to make it your own.
- Frozen tater tots – It doesn’t get easier than frozen tater tots. Ore-Ida tater tots have an extra crispy version, so that’s what I like to use. But you can use your favorite brand.
- Mexican cheese blend – Shredding your own cheese is preferable, just because the pre-shredded version has an additive that prevents it from melting smoothly.
- Bacon – The easiest way to make bacon bits is to make sure your bacon is extra crispy. It crumbles better that way. Feel free to use turkey bacon if you’d like to.
- Chives or scallions – Also called green onions, these add just a little pop of color and also flavor to lots of easy appetizer recipes.
How to Make Loaded Tater Tots
- Prepare tater tots and oven. Cook tater tots according to package directions. You can choose to bake or to fry. Preheat broiler in oven.
- Spray a 9×13 metal or glass rectangular dish sprayed with cooking spray. Spread tots in an equal layer and season with salt and pepper. Cover with 2 cups of cheese- you can choose to do less, but hey, they are CHEESY tots. Top cheese with crumbled bacon
- Broil on high until all cheese has melted, approximately 3-4 minutes. Top with fresh chives or scallions and serve! Enjoy your Cheesy Bacon Tots!
Variations
- Toppings – I love the toppings listed above, but feel free to add your favorite toppings. Black beans, red onion, hot sauce or sour cream would all be great additions to this loaded tater tots recipe.
- Loaded tater tot nachos – Turn this tasty appetizer into something different completely. Mix up the toppings by adding some fresh pico de gallo, a sprinkle of taco seasoning and some cheese sauce. You could even add a taco ground beef mixture.
- Cauliflower tots – If you’re trying to stay low carb, you can swap out the regular tots for the veggie variety. I think they even make broccoli tots too.
- Cheese – Instead of the Mexican cheese blend suggested, try using cheddar, monterey jack, creamy queso or american cheese. Any melted cheese will work.
Storage and Freezing
Storage: You can store leftover loaded tater tots in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Just keep in mind, the tater tots will lose their crispness and it just won’t taste the same upon reheating.
Freezing: I do not recommend freezing this easy recipe. All of the toppings will cause the tater tots to become soggy and they will not thaw or reheat well.
More Easy Appetizers
- In-N-Out Burger Animal Style Fries
- Nashville Hot Chicken Sliders
- 3-Pepper Smoked Hickory Wings
- Crabby Totchos
- Loaded Mexican Tater Tot Nachos
- Southern Salmon Croquettes
After you’re done with your delicious appetizers, do you ever think “what should I make for dinner tonight?” Click the link for some ideas!
Cheesy Loaded Tater Tot Recipe
Ingredients
- 28 ounce bag of frozen tater tots
- 2 cups Mexican cheese blend , shredded
- 1/2 cup bacon ,cooked and crumbled
- 1/4 cup chives or scallions , chopped
- Salt and pepper
- Cooking Spray
Instructions
- Cook tater tots according to package directions. You can choose to bake or to fry.
- Preheat broiler in oven. Spray a 9×13 metal or glass rectangular dish sprayed with cooking spray. Spread tots in an equal layer and season with salt and pepper. Cover with 2 cups of cheese- you can choose to do less, but hey, they are CHEESY tots. Top cheese with crumbled bacon
- Broil on high until all cheese has melted, approximately 3-4 minutes. Top with fresh chives or scallions and serve! Enjoy your Cheesy Bacon Tots!
- If you’ve tried this recipe, make sure to come back and let us know how it was!
Would be great if you mentioned “cooked” bacon.
Generally speaking “crumbled” bacon is cooked- you can’t crumble raw bacon, but I’ve added “cooked” just in case.
Why cant you just print the recipe instead of writing page after page of nothing and a zillion ads. Just not worth the search for serious busy cooks.
There is a “jump to recipe” button right at the top that skips all the ads. Nearly every site has one if you can’t be bothered to support small businesses.
Why can’t i PRINT the #### thing?
Hi Cora, not sure- there is a print button right on the recipe card. I just checked on my end and everything seems to be running fine.
I made these according to the recipe and they were delicious my family loved them
Yay! That is what we love to hear!
Can these be made before time and then baked/broiled before serving? Or does it lose its crunch?
Hi Donna, they lose their crunch 🙁 I would recommend making and enjoying this one hot right out of the oven.
Love your recipe
Thanks, Sylvia!
These seriously have all of my favorite things on them! They look amazing and I am going to make a huge batch!
Yum!!! Cheesy tots are always my favorite brunch dish! These are delish!