Loaded Tater Tots are covered in gooey melted cheese, crispy bacon, jalapeños and green onion with a creamy ranch dip! They're flavor packed and ready in under an hour for the best game day appetizer.
When it comes to game day, nothing tastes better than cheese and bacon and these crispy tots are loaded with them. It's also a super simple recipe that's easy to throw together in no time at all.
It's basically like nachos with a tater tot base instead of tortilla chips. How could you go wrong with that? You can't!
For more game day favorites, try these Steak and Cheese Calzones, Buffalo Chicken Wonton Cups, Air Fryer Garlic Parmesan Wings, Baked Potato Toppings for Potato Bar, and Fried Mozzarella Recipe.
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Why You'll Love This Recipe:
- Easy to Make. Just prep and let the oven do the work! It's simple to make, so you can focus on the game and entertaining.
- Quick. Ready in about 50 minutes.
- Flavor Packed. Get ready for an overload of flavor with this tasty ingredient line up.
- A Game Day Favorite. Give guests what they want on game day with these cheesy loaded tots.
For more cheesy appetizers, try this Jalapeño Pimento Cheese, Cheeseburger Sliders on Hawaiian Rolls, and Vegetarian Nachos.
Ingredients:
Tater Tots: Any kind of frozen tater tots work for this recipe, but these Alexia Potato Puffs are so tasty and a favorite in our home. My stores are out of them a lot and I always try to snag a few bags whenever possible.
Cheddar Cheese: A bold cheddar cheese melts perfectly over tots and I like to use sharp cheddar for big flavor.
Bacon: Bacon is crisped up and added for salty flavor. Highly recommend an original flavor or traditional for this recipe.
Jalapeño: Added for spice!
Green Onion: Brings in flavor and fresh crunch and is topped on right before serving.
Ranch Dressing: Ranch dressing powder, sour cream and a dash of milk make a creamy dip and topping for these crispy tots.
*Full recipe ingredients and quantities can be found in the recipe card below.
Substitutions and Variations:
- Need a vegetarian option? Top half with bacon or leave it off!
- Not big on spicy? Leave off the jalapeños.
- The cheddar cheese can be substituted with Pepper jack, Colby cheese Monterrey jack, or any of your favorites.
- In a pinch, you could use bacon bits for the bacon. I really like the really thing here though.
- If you don't like ranch, try this Lime Aioli Sauce, Sour Cream Sauce, or Southwest Salad Dressing for topping or dipping!
If you love tater tots, try this Chicken Tater Tot Casserole too!
How to Make Loaded Tater Tots:
Step 1: According to tater tot package instructions, cook the tater tots in the oven until crispy. These instructions (for Alexias potato puffs) read 425 degrees for 25 minutes. Note: It may be different depending on the brand you use.
Step 2: While the tater tots are baking, pan fry the bacon over medium heat until cooked, but not too crispy. It will continue to cook a bit when baked in the oven over the tater tots. Transfer to a paper towel lined plate to remove the grease.
Step 3: Once the tater tots are crispy, remove from cookie sheet and transfer to cast iron skillet or a 8x8 inch casserole dish.
Step 4: Top the tater tots with cheddar cheese, bacon and jalapeño. Return to 425 degree oven for 8-10 minutes until the cheese is completely melted.
Step 5: Allow to cool for 5 minutes.
Step 6: Stir together ranch dressing powder with sour cream and milk until combined.
Step 7: Top tater tots with green onion and a drizzle of ranch dressing, if desired, or you can serve on the side. Note: The easiest way to drizzle the dressing is to place a few tablespoons in a sandwich bag and cut a tiny piece of the corner off. Then, drizzle over top. Serve and enjoy!
Expert Tips👩🍳:
- For the best melt, shred the cheese from the block. Bagged, pre-shredded cheese has anti-caking agents that don't melt well.
- Cook the tater tots until nice and crispy before adding the toppings for the best texture.
- The bacon will be in the oven for about 8 minutes after cooking, so try not to get it too crispy in the pan. We don't want to burn it.
Big on bacon recipes? Try these Bacon Wrapped Sweet Peppers, Bacon Cheese Turnovers and Bacon Cream Cheese Crescent Rolls.
Recipe FAQs 📝:
Tater tots are so good loaded with bacon, cheese, green onion and jalapeños. You could also add more additions like avocado slices, Pico de Gallo, or even chili.
Store the leftover tater tots in a sealed container in the fridge and eat within 2 days for the best freshness.
To Reheat: Place the tater tots on a cookie sheet and reheat in 350 degree oven for 10-12 minutes until hot.
More Game Day Appetizers to Make:
If you tried this Loaded Tater Tot Recipe or any other recipe on my website, please leave a 🌟 star rating and let me know how it goes in the 📝 comments below. I love hearing from you!
PrintRecipe
Loaded Tater Tots Recipe
- Total Time: 50 minutes
- Yield: 5-6 servings 1x
Description
Loaded Tater Tots are covered in gooey melted cheese, crispy bacon, jalapeños and green onion with a creamy ranch dip on the side! They are flavor packed and ready in under an hour for the best game day appetizer.
Ingredients
- 28 ounce frozen package of tater tots
- 5 strips of original or traditional bacon, sliced into 1 inch strips
- 6 ounces cheddar cheese (¾ of the block), shredded
- ⅓ cup pickled jalapeno, juices drained
- ⅓ cup green onion, sliced into ¼ inch pieces
- 1 tablespoon + 2 teaspoons dried ranch dressing powder
- 1 tablespoon milk, whole or 2%
- ¾ cup sour cream
Instructions
- According to package instructions on the tater tots, cook the tater tots in the oven until crispy. These instructions read 425 degrees for 25 minutes. Note: It may be different depending on the brand you use.
- While the tater tots are baking, pan fry the bacon over medium heat until cooked, but not too crispy. It will continue to cook a bit when baked in the oven over the tater tots. Transfer to a paper towel lined plate to remove the grease.
- Once the tater tots are crispy, remove from cookie sheet and transfer to cast iron skillet or a 8x8 inch casserole dish.
- Top the tater tots with cheddar cheese, bacon and jalapeño. Return to 425 degree oven for 8-10 minutes until the cheese is completely melted.
- Allow to cool for 5 minutes.
- Stir together ranch dressing powder with sour cream and milk until combined.
- Top tater tots with green onion and a drizzle of ranch dressing, if desired, or you can serve on the side. Note: The easiest way to drizzle the dressing is to place a few tablespoons in a sandwich bag and cut a tiny piece of the corner off. Then, drizzle over top. Serve and enjoy!
Notes
- For the best melt, shred the cheese from the block. Bagged, pre-shredded cheese has anti-caking agents that don't melt well.
- Cook the tater tots until nice and crispy before adding the toppings for the best texture.
- The bacon will be in the oven for about 8 minutes after cooking, so try not to get it too crispy in the pan. We don't want to burn it.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: appetizer
- Method: bake
- Cuisine: American
Lisa
The best game day app! Thanks for the recipe idea!
Tara Smithson
Thank you! I hope you enjoy it!