Loaded Tater Tot Bites

Four-ingredient bacon and cheese Loaded Tater Tot Bites are a fusion of flavors with the fluffy, crispy texture of fries—absolutely amazing!

”Tots, I Don’t Think We’re in Idaho Anymore!”

Of all the comfort foods in the world, potatoes—in ALL their glorious forms—rank at the top of the list! Mashed, au gratin, chips, French fries, hash browns, loaded, baked, scalloped…each type delivers a mouthwatering taste! 

These poppable, snack-sized Loaded Tater Tot Bites are among the best potato versions, thanks to the flavorful toppings and the fluffy inside and crispy outside finish. Plus, this appetizer can be as game-day casual or formal dinner fancy as you want it to be!

Other Recipes to Serve with Recipe Title

• Buffalo Chicken Dip in a Crock Pot gives you all the Buffalo wing flavor without all the work!
• Air Fryer Biscuit Pizzas make a great game-day appetizer or an easy Friday night family dinner!

Ingredients

Potatoes: A bag of frozen tater tots is the foundation for this fabulous side (or snack)!

Dairy: Shredded cheddar (I like sharp best!) brings all the gooey, glorious flavor to these poppable bites!

Bacon: You can’t do “loaded” anything without fried, crispy, diced bits of bacon goodness.

Seasoning: Ranch dressing gives these tots a unique twist that totally works!

How to Make Loaded Tater Tots

STEP ONE: Preheat your oven to 425 degrees F. Spray a mini muffin tin with non-stick cooking spray, and then place three tater tots in each muffin cup. Bake the tots for 10 minutes until they’re soft.

STEP TWO: Remove the muffin tin from the oven and use a tart tamper (a muddler or the back of a measuring spoon) to press the tater tots down into each muffin cup to form a little potato cup.

STEP THREE: Fill the tater tots with the cheese and bacon. Bake for another 15-20 minutes until the tots are golden brown. Remove the pan from the oven and let the tater tot bites cool for 5 minutes.

STEP FOUR: Drizzle the tots with ranch dressing and sprinkle with green onions. Serve while still warm and wonderfully crispy!

Tips for Success

• Let the tater tot cups cool for 5 minutes before you take them out of the pan so they will firm up a little.
• Use whatever ingredients you like on a loaded potato – this recipe is a guideline!
• Chop the toppings into small bits.
• If you’re not a fan of ranch, use sour cream or make your own “Fry Sauce” from mayo, ketchup, and a dash of Tabasco!
• Place these on a platter with a dipping bowl for a casual get-together, or place each on a plate and top with a pretty piping of sour cream and a sprinkle of chives to make them fancy! 
• Use a regular-sized muffin tin and 4-5 tots per cup to make “individual side dish” sized loaded potatoes for a steak dinner or holiday meal!

What’s the Difference between Loaded Tater Tots and Tater Tot Casserole?

The only significant difference between loaded tots and the casserole version is how they are cooked and eaten! Loaded tots are individually cooked and topped for a luscious, poppable, bite-sized nibble! Tater tot casserole contains whole tots with the other ingredients layered over them so everything melds together—you’ll need a fork for this version!

What Are the Best Toppings for Tater Tots?

Tater tots are like the blue jeans of food—everything goes with them! Traditionally, toppings include butter, sour cream, bacon, cheddar, and green onions. But don’t hold back here—go ahead and get creative! Try broccoli, mushrooms, ham, and Swiss! Or go Mexican with green peppers, cumin, salsa, and queso. Make a Tex-Mex version with pulled pork or chicken, BBQ sauce, corn, cilantro, or Italian tots with sausage, marinara, oregano, and provolone!

Other Luscious Loaded Potato Recipes

• Loaded Potato Nachos
• Loaded Mashed Potato Casserole
• Fully Loaded Hasselback Potatoes
• Crispy Loaded Potato Stacks
• Fully Loaded Twice Baked Potatoes
• Bacon Jalapeno Baked Potato Soup

*This post originally posted on 05/14/2017.