Loaded Tater Tots Recipe

Picture this: Friday night, the family is gathered, everyone’s hungry, and the usual pizza or takeout routine feels… well, routine. That’s when I decided to shake things up with Loaded Tater Tots. Honestly, it was a game-changer. The crispy, golden tater tots, piled high with gooey cheese, smoky bacon, and all the fixings – it was an instant hit! Even my pickiest eater, who usually wrinkles his nose at anything beyond plain pasta, devoured them. The combination of textures and flavors is just irresistible. From the satisfying crunch of the tots to the creamy sour cream and the salty bacon, every bite is an explosion of deliciousness. It’s become our go-to for casual dinners, game days, and frankly, any time we need a guaranteed crowd-pleaser. Trust me, if you’re looking for a recipe that’s easy, fun, and utterly addictive, look no further. These Loaded Tater Tots are about to become your new family favorite too.

Ingredients

This recipe is all about layering flavors and textures onto a crispy tater tot base. Here’s what you’ll need to create your own loaded masterpiece:

• Tater Tots: The star of the show! Use about 30 ounces of frozen tater tots. Choose your favorite brand, regular or seasoned, both work wonderfully.
• Shredded Cheese: A generous amount, about 2 cups, of shredded cheese is essential. Cheddar is classic, but Monterey Jack, Colby Jack, or a blend of cheeses will also melt beautifully and add depth of flavor.
• Cooked Bacon: Crispy bacon is a must for that salty, smoky crunch. You’ll need about 8 slices, cooked and crumbled. Consider using thick-cut bacon for extra flavor and texture.
• Sour Cream: Provides a cool and creamy counterpoint to the richness of the cheese and bacon. About 1 cup is perfect for dolloping generously.
• Green Onions: Fresh green onions, finely chopped, add a pop of freshness and mild oniony flavor. You’ll need about 2-3 green onions.
• Optional Toppings: This is where you can get creative! Consider these additions to customize your loaded tots:
  • Jalapeños: For a spicy kick, add sliced pickled or fresh jalapeños.
  • Black Beans: Add a Southwestern flair with drained and rinsed black beans.
  • Corn: Sweet corn kernels, fresh or frozen (thawed), bring a touch of sweetness.
  • Diced Tomatoes: Fresh diced tomatoes add acidity and freshness.
  • Avocado or Guacamole: Creamy avocado or guacamole adds richness and healthy fats.
  • Ranch Dressing: A drizzle of ranch dressing enhances the creamy and savory flavors.
  • BBQ Sauce: For a smoky-sweet twist, drizzle with your favorite BBQ sauce.
  • Pulled Pork or Chicken: Turn this into a heartier meal by adding shredded cooked pulled pork or chicken.

Instructions

Creating these Loaded Tater Tots is incredibly simple and quick. Follow these easy steps to achieve crispy, cheesy, and utterly delicious results:

1. Preheat Your Oven: Start by preheating your oven to 400°F (200°C). This high temperature is key to getting those tater tots perfectly crispy. Make sure your oven is fully preheated before you put the tots in for optimal cooking.
2. Prepare the Tater Tots: Spread the frozen tater tots in a single layer on a large baking sheet. For even crispier tots, you can lightly grease the baking sheet with cooking spray, although this isn’t strictly necessary. Ensure they are not overcrowded to allow for even cooking and browning.
3. Bake the Tater Tots: Place the baking sheet in the preheated oven and bake for 20-25 minutes, or according to the package directions. The cooking time might vary slightly depending on your oven and the brand of tater tots. Keep an eye on them and bake until they are golden brown and crispy. For extra crispiness, you can flip the tater tots halfway through the baking time.
4. Add the Cheese: Once the tater tots are cooked and crispy, remove the baking sheet from the oven. Immediately sprinkle the shredded cheese evenly over the hot tater tots. Make sure to distribute the cheese so that it melts uniformly over all the tots.
5. Melt the Cheese: Return the baking sheet to the oven and bake for another 2-3 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and gooey. Watch carefully during this step to prevent the cheese from burning. You want it melted and bubbly, but not browned too much.
6. Add the Toppings: Remove the baking sheet from the oven once the cheese is melted. Now comes the fun part – loading up your tots! Sprinkle the crumbled cooked bacon evenly over the melted cheese. Then, dollop spoonfuls of sour cream over the bacon and cheese. Finally, sprinkle the chopped green onions over everything for a fresh finish.
7. Customize and Serve: This is where you can get creative with your optional toppings. If you’re using jalapeños, black beans, corn, diced tomatoes, avocado, ranch dressing, BBQ sauce, or pulled pork/chicken, add them now according to your preferences. Serve the Loaded Tater Tots immediately while they are hot and the cheese is melted and gooey. They are best enjoyed fresh from the oven!

Nutrition Facts

These nutritional values are estimates and can vary based on specific ingredients and brands used. This is based on a serving size of approximately 1 cup of loaded tater tots and using cheddar cheese, bacon, and sour cream as toppings.

• Servings Per Recipe: Approximately 6-8 servings
• Calories Per Serving: Approximately 450-550 calories
• Fat: 30-35g
• Saturated Fat: 15-20g

Please note: These are estimated values and should be used as a general guideline. For precise nutritional information, refer to the nutrition labels of the specific ingredients you use and consider using a nutrition calculator for your exact recipe.

Preparation Time

From freezer to fabulous in under 30 minutes! This recipe is perfect for those busy weeknights or spontaneous gatherings.

• Prep Time: Approximately 10 minutes (mostly just gathering ingredients and crumbling bacon if needed). This is the time spent getting everything ready before the cooking process begins.
• Cook Time: Approximately 25 minutes (20-25 minutes for baking the tater tots and 2-3 minutes for melting the cheese). This includes the time in the oven to cook the tater tots and melt the cheese.
• Total Time: Approximately 35 minutes. This is the sum of the prep time and cook time, giving you a total estimate from start to finish.

This quick preparation time is one of the many reasons Loaded Tater Tots are such a popular and convenient dish!

How to Serve

Loaded Tater Tots are incredibly versatile and can be served in a variety of ways, making them perfect for any occasion. Here are some ideas to get you started:

• As an Appetizer: Serve a platter of Loaded Tater Tots as a crowd-pleasing appetizer at parties, game day gatherings, or casual get-togethers. They are easy to eat with your hands and are always a hit.
• As a Side Dish: Pair them with your favorite burgers, sandwiches, or grilled meats for a fun and flavorful side dish. They are a delicious alternative to traditional fries or potato salad.
• As a Main Course (Casual Meal): For a relaxed weeknight dinner, Loaded Tater Tots can be a satisfying and fun main course. Especially if you add protein like pulled pork or chicken, they become a hearty and complete meal.
• Individual Bowls: For a more controlled serving, portion the baked tater tots into individual bowls before adding cheese and toppings. This is great for parties or when you want to offer customized topping options.
• Nachos Style: Think of them as tater tot nachos! Arrange the baked tater tots on a large platter and load them up with all your favorite nacho toppings, like salsa, guacamole, and jalapeños, in addition to the standard cheese, bacon, and sour cream.
• Dipping Sauces: Offer a variety of dipping sauces on the side to enhance the flavor and provide options for everyone’s taste. Great dipping sauce options include:
  • Ranch Dressing
  • BBQ Sauce
  • Ketchup
  • Mustard
  • Spicy Mayo
  • Cheese Sauce
  • Salsa
• Garnish: Don’t underestimate the power of a good garnish! Freshly chopped parsley, cilantro, or extra green onions can add a pop of color and freshness to your Loaded Tater Tots, making them even more visually appealing.

Additional Tips for Perfect Loaded Tater Tots

Want to take your Loaded Tater Tots to the next level? Here are some expert tips to ensure crispy tots and maximum flavor:

1. Crispy Tots are Key: Don’t overcrowd the baking sheet! Spread the tater tots in a single layer with space between them. This allows for proper air circulation and ensures they crisp up beautifully instead of steaming. If necessary, bake them in batches.
2. Preheat the Baking Sheet (Optional): For extra crispy bottoms, you can preheat the baking sheet in the oven while it preheats. Carefully place the frozen tater tots on the hot baking sheet when it’s time to bake. This gives them a head start on crisping.
3. Don’t Thaw the Tots: Bake the tater tots directly from frozen. Thawing can make them soggy and prevent them from crisping properly. Frozen tots are designed to be cooked straight from the freezer.
4. Use Quality Cheese: Choose a good quality shredded cheese that melts well. Pre-shredded cheese is convenient, but freshly grated cheese often melts even better. Block cheese that you shred yourself may contain less cellulose and anti-caking agents, leading to smoother melting.
5. Cook Bacon to Crispy Perfection: Crispy bacon is crucial for texture and flavor. Cook your bacon until it’s nice and crispy, then drain off the excess grease and crumble it well. You can cook bacon in the oven, microwave, or skillet – choose your preferred method.
6. Warm the Sour Cream (Optional): For easier dolloping and a more pleasant temperature contrast with the hot tots, you can slightly warm the sour cream. Microwave it in short intervals or let it sit at room temperature for a bit before serving. Don’t overheat it, just take the chill off.
7. Assemble Just Before Serving: Loaded Tater Tots are best enjoyed immediately after assembly. The longer they sit, the softer the tater tots will become from the moisture of the toppings. Assemble and serve right away for optimal crispiness and gooey cheese.
8. Get Creative with Toppings! Don’t be afraid to experiment with different toppings to customize your Loaded Tater Tots. Think about your favorite flavor combinations – Mexican-inspired, Italian-inspired, BBQ-inspired – and adapt the toppings accordingly. This recipe is a blank canvas for your culinary creativity!

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Got questions about making the best Loaded Tater Tots? We’ve got answers! Here are some frequently asked questions to help you perfect this recipe:

Q1: Can I cook tater tots in an air fryer instead of the oven?

A: Absolutely! Air frying tater tots is a fantastic way to get them extra crispy, and it’s often quicker than oven baking. Preheat your air fryer to 400°F (200°C) and cook the tater tots for about 10-15 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through, until golden brown and crispy. Air fryers can vary, so keep an eye on them and adjust cooking time as needed.

Q2: Can I make Loaded Tater Tots ahead of time?

A: While it’s best to assemble and serve Loaded Tater Tots immediately for optimal crispiness, you can prepare some components in advance. You can cook the tater tots and crumble the bacon ahead of time. Then, just before serving, reheat the tater tots briefly in the oven or air fryer to crisp them up, add the cheese and toppings, and bake until the cheese is melted.

Q3: What are some good cheese alternatives if I don’t have cheddar?

A: Many cheeses work well for Loaded Tater Tots! Monterey Jack, Colby Jack, pepper jack (for a spicy kick), mozzarella, provolone, or a blend of cheddar and Monterey Jack are all excellent choices. Consider using a cheese that melts well and complements the other toppings.

Q4: Can I make vegetarian Loaded Tater Tots?

A: Yes, easily! Simply omit the bacon. You can add other vegetarian toppings to boost flavor and texture, such as sautéed mushrooms, caramelized onions, roasted red peppers, black beans, corn, or vegetarian chili. Consider adding a sprinkle of smoked paprika to mimic some of the smoky flavor of bacon.

Q5: How do I reheat leftover Loaded Tater Tots?

A: Reheating Loaded Tater Tots can be a bit tricky as they can lose some crispiness. The best method is to reheat them in a preheated oven or air fryer at 350°F (175°C) for about 5-10 minutes, or until heated through. Microwaving is not recommended as it can make them soggy. They are best enjoyed fresh, but reheating in the oven or air fryer is your best bet for maintaining some texture.

Q6: Can I add a sauce before baking the cheese?

A: Yes, you can! Adding a sauce under the cheese can add an extra layer of flavor. Consider drizzling BBQ sauce, ranch dressing, cheese sauce, or even a spicy mayo over the tater tots before adding the cheese and baking. Just be mindful not to add too much sauce, as it could make the tots soggy.

Q7: What if I don’t have sour cream? What can I substitute?

A: If you don’t have sour cream, you can use Greek yogurt as a healthier and equally creamy substitute. Plain Greek yogurt works wonderfully. You could also use crème fraîche or even a dollop of cream cheese for a richer flavor. If you’re looking for a dairy-free option, try cashew cream or a plant-based sour cream alternative.

Q8: Can I use seasoned tater tots?

A: Absolutely! Seasoned tater tots can add another layer of flavor to your Loaded Tater Tots. Garlic and herb seasoned, or even spicy seasoned tater tots, can work really well. Just be mindful of the overall flavor profile and adjust your toppings accordingly to complement the seasoning of the tots. If using heavily seasoned tots, you might want to go lighter on other salty toppings like bacon.

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