Loaded Tater Tots

The Most Fun Way to Serve Tater Tots!

Tater tots are a fun side dish to serve with a burger or hot dogs, but if you really want to take them to the next level, then it’s time to make this recipe for loaded tater tots.

A variation of totchos (AKA nachos made with tater tots), loaded tater tots are a delicious, indulgent party appetizer or side dish made with crispy tater tots topped with a tangy sour cream ranch sauce, crispy bacon, and melted cheese. They’re sure to be a hit at any gathering, or even for a weeknight dinner. (I mean: tater tots, bacon, ranch, and cheese! What’s not to love, right?!)

My Tips for the Best Loaded Tater Tots

Making these loaded tater tots is easy—you only need a few simple ingredients including frozen tater tots, your favorite ranch dressing, bacon, and cheese. But I’ve got some extra pointers to make sure they turn out perfect!

• Make them extra crispy. If you like your tots with BIG crunch, you can air fry or even deep fry them instead of baking them. Just follow the package instructions, then place the cooked tater tots on the sheet pan, add the cheese, and melt it in the oven.
• Shred your own cheese for an epic cheese pull. If you want the meltiest results, shred your own cheese instead of using the Mexican-style shreds. It’s awesome when you’re in a time-crunch, but store-bought shredded cheese doesn’t melt as smoothly as freshly shredded.
• Give them a quick broil. If you want the cheese to get browned in spots, you can turn on the broiler for a minute or so at the end of the cooking time. Just be careful—it can go from nicely browned to burnt super fast!

Variations

• Save yourself some time and use store-bought bacon bits instead of cooking the bacon fresh.
• Use a nacho cheese sauce instead of Mexican-style cheese for a spicier, gooey-er dish.
• Top the loaded tater tots with black beans, leftover taco meat, or chili to make them a more filling meal.

Serving Suggestions

Loaded tater tots are a great addition to any meal, or as an appetizer for parties. If you’re serving kids, divide the cheesy tater tots into small bowls and let them have fun adding their own favorite toppings!

How to Store Leftover Loaded Tater Tots

Loaded tater tots can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat them, place them on a baking sheet and bake at 350°F for 10 to 15 minutes, or until they’re hot and crispy again. When reheating, you may want to add a sprinkle of cheese on top if it’s needed to make them extra cheesy and gooey.