This Loaded Tater Tots comes together in about 30 minutes and is baked to crispy perfection for a quick and easy weeknight dinner that your family will love! You can switch up the toppings to suit your taste or use it as a clean-out-the-fridge meal to get rid of leftovers and odds and ends trust me, the possibilities are endless!
Ingredients You’ll Need for Loaded Tater Tots
Let’s dive into what you’ll need to make these scrumptious Loaded Tater Tots. You might have some of this stuff already, which is always a win! Here’s the breakdown:
- Tater Tots
- Cheese
- Bacon Bits
- Sour Cream
- Green Onions
- Optional Toppings
Here’s How It’s Done
Preheat and Bake
Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven according to the tater tots package instructions, usually around 425°F (220°C). This makes sure they get that perfect crunch!
Bake Tater Tots: Spread those frozen tater tots out on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper or aluminum foil. Bake for about 20-25 minutes, or until they’re golden brown and crispy. You’ll want to flip them halfway through to get an even crisp! Trust me on this, those extra crispy edges are everything.
Load ‘Em Up
Add Cheese and Bacon Bits: Once your tater tots are crispy, take them out of the oven and sprinkle on a generous layer of shredded cheese and the crispy bacon bits.
Melt the Cheese: Return the loaded tots to the oven for another 3-5 minutes, just until the cheese is wonderfully melted and bubbling. Your kitchen is going to smell amazing, I promise!
Finish Off
- Serve with Toppings: Once they’re cheesy and glorious, take them out of the oven, careful, it’ll be hot! Serve topped with a dollop of sour cream and a sprinkle of chopped green onions. If you’re feeling fancy (or just excited), drizzle some hot sauce or add extra toppings.
And voilà! You’ve got yourself a tray of Loaded Tater Tots that are sure to impress!
I absolutely love this recipe because it’s my go-to recipe when I need something comforting and delicious, and honestly, quick and easy too! I’m a real sucker for tater tots, and these loaded ones just hit that perfect spot. The best part is that it’s so versatile, you can use whatever ingredients you’ve got on hand! My kids adore them, and I secretly love how simple they are to whip up after a long day.
If you loved this recipe, be sure to check out my Easy Bruschetta Dip, my Million Dollar Crack Dip, or my Crab Crescent Bites Delight!
Why This Recipe Works
Quick & Easy
Comes together in under 30 minutes, which means you can get dinner on the table fast. It’s perfect for busy weeknights when everyone’s running around. Just pop those tots in the oven, relax for a bit, and let them work their magic!
Customizable
The secret to a delicious Loaded Tater Tots is all about how you can mix and match toppings. If you’re out of bacon, try diced ham. Don’t have green onions? Chopped fresh parsley or cilantro works, too! It’s such a forgiving dish that you can use whatever leftover ingredients are hanging out in your fridge, making cooking not just easy but also resourceful.
Crowd-Pleaser
These Loaded Tater Tots are a hit with everyone kids, teens, and adults alike. Whether you serve them as an appetizer during movie night, as a side dish with burgers, or even as a fun snack for game day, you can bet they’ll disappear quickly! Plus, how can you go wrong with crispy tater tots topped with cheese?
Minimal Cleanup
As everything bakes on one tray, you’ll have minimal cleanup when dinner is done, leaving you with more time to kick back or spend with your loved ones. Gotta love that!
Comfort Food
There’s just something about tater tots piled high with yummy toppings that feels like a warm hug. They’re everything you want in comfort food crispy, cheesy, and oh-so-satisfying. You just can’t beat it!
How to Serve This Loaded Tater Tots
Serving Suggestions
You can definitely serve these Loaded Tater Tots as a standalone dish, but they pair perfectly with other delights! Think burger sliders, grilled chicken wings, or even a fresh side salad to balance everything out. Trust me; once you start serving these tater tots, they’ll become a favorite at your table.
Storage
If you happen to have leftovers (that’s a big if, right?), simply store them in an airtight container in the fridge. They’ll last for about 3-4 days.
Reheating Instructions
The best way to reheat? Get that oven going again, around 375°F (190°C) for about 10 minutes should suffice! If you pop them in the microwave, they can get a tad soggy, and no one wants that!
Freezer Friendly
Ready for some good news? Yes, you can freeze the Loaded Tater Tots before baking! Just let the assembled dish cool completely, then wrap it tightly with plastic wrap and foil. When you’re ready to bake, simply pop them in the oven straight from the freezer (just increase the cooking time a tad).
With my Loaded Tater Tots recipe, any night can turn into a fun family time full of flavor and warmth. And honestly, isn’t that what we all need? Whether it’s a quick dinner or a snack attack, this one’s a total keeper. I know you’ll love it just as much as I do!
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Print
Loaded Tater Tots
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
A quick and easy weeknight dinner, these Loaded Tater Tots are baked to crispy perfection and topped with cheese, bacon bits, and your choice of toppings.
Ingredients
- Frozen Tater Tots
- Shredded Cheddar Cheese (or any cheese of your choice)
- Bacon Bits (store-bought or homemade)
- Sour Cream
- Chopped Green Onions
- Optional Toppings: jalapeños, guacamole, hot sauce
Instructions
- Preheat your oven according to the tater tots package instructions (usually around 425°F / 220°C).
- Spread frozen tater tots on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Bake for 20-25 minutes or until golden brown and crispy, flipping halfway through.
- Remove the tater tots from the oven, sprinkle with cheese and bacon bits.
- Return to the oven for another 3-5 minutes until the cheese is melted and bubbling.
- Serve topped with sour cream and chopped green onions, along with any extra toppings you desire.
Notes
Feel free to customize the toppings based on your preferences or what you have on hand!
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 400
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 600mg
- Fat: 22g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 40g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 12g
- Cholesterol: 30mg
