Loaded Tater Tot Recipe (Cheesy Loaded Totchos)

Loaded tater tots aka. cheesy Totchos, are crispy tater tots, savory bacon, and gooey cheese - perfect for game day snacking appetizer or as a tasty side dish!

When I was younger and I was having friends over for sleepovers, after the pizza and the ice cream late into the night we would pull out the bag of frozen tater tots and load them up with all the delicious toppings we could think of.

What are loaded tots made of?

• Tater tots: Look for a high-quality frozen brand. You might experiment with different shapes or varieties like mini tots or extra crispy versions for texture variation.
• Bacon: Bacon adds a savory, smoky flavor. Choose thick-cut for more pronounced flavor and texture. Flavored varieties like applewood or maple-smoked can add an interesting twist. I am a fan of extra-crispy bacon. 
• Queso: Select a smooth, creamy variety with real cheese as the main ingredient. Making your own queso can provide a fresher flavor and allow you to control the ingredients.
• Ranch dressing: Ranch adds tangy creaminess. Opt for a high-quality brand or make your own for the freshest taste.
• Scallions: These provide a fresh, oniony bite and color. Select fresh, crisp scallions with bright green tops. Avoid any with wilted or yellowing leaves for the best flavor and appearance.
• Salt and pepper:  Use sea salt or kosher salt for better flavor, and opt for freshly ground black pepper for the most vibrant taste.

How to Make Loaded Tater Tots

1. Preheat oven to 425°F (220°C).
2. Spread tater tots on a baking sheet.
3. Arrange bacon slices on another baking sheet.
   • Place both sheets in the oven:
   • Bake tater tots for 20-25 minutes until crispy.
   • Cook bacon for 15-20 minutes until crisp. Remove and chop when cool.
4. While baking, slice scallions and warm queso in the microwave.
   
5. Assemble the dish:
   • Transfer baked tots to a serving dish.
   • Pour warm queso over tots.
   • Sprinkle chopped bacon on top.
   • Drizzle with ranch dressing.
   • Add sliced scallions.
6. Season with salt and pepper.
7. Serve immediately while warm.

What can be done to prep these loaded tater tot nachos? 

This prep work can save time and make assembly quicker when ready to serve.

1. Cook and chop the bacon:
   • Cook the bacon ahead of time.
   • Chop it and store in an airtight container in the fridge.
2. Prepare the scallions:
   • Slice the scallions and store in a sealed container in the fridge.
3. Make or prepare the queso:
   • If making homemade, prepare it in advance and store in the fridge.
   • For store-bought, have it ready to heat.
4. Measure out ingredients:
   • Portion out the ranch dressing and other toppings.
5. Have tater tots ready:
   • Keep frozen tots in the freezer, ready to bake.

On the day of serving:

1. Bake the tater tots.
2. Warm the queso and precooked bacon.
3. Assemble the dish with your prepped ingredients.

Seasonal Favorite

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Crisco Pie Crust

Loaded Tater Tot Recipe (Cheesy Loaded Totchos)

Sarah Mock

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crispy tater tots, savory bacon, and gooey cheese - perfect for game day snacking appetizer or as a tasty side dish!

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Prep TimePrep:10 minutes mins

Cook TimeCook:30 minutes mins

servingsServings:6 servings

Ingredients

1x2x3x

• ▢ 1 package Tater tots frozen, about 32 oz
• ▢ 8 slices Bacon crisped, chopped
• ▢ 1 Cup queso
• ▢ ½ Cup ranch dressing
• ▢ 2 scallions thinly sliced
• ▢ Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions 

Prepare the Tater Tots and Bacon:

1. Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C). If your tater tot package recommends a different temperature, adjust accordingly to accommodate both the tater tots and bacon.
   
2. Spread the tater tots in a single layer on a baking sheet. They will bake according to the package instructions, usually around 20-25 minutes, until golden and crispy.
   1 package Tater tots
   
3. Place a baking sheet. Arrange the bacon slices in a single layer on the rack. This setup allows the bacon to cook evenly.
   8 slices Bacon
   
4. Place both baking sheets in the oven. The bacon will likely need 15-20 minutes to become crisp but start checking around 12 minutes to ensure it doesn't overcook. Remove the bacon once it's crispy and let it cool slightly before chopping it into pieces.
   
5. Slice the scallions and chop the bacon.
   2 scallions
   
6. While the tater tots and bacon are in the oven, warm up the queso in a microwave-safe bowl or on the stovetop until it's heated through and pourable, about 2-3 minutes.
   1 Cup queso

Assemble the Loaded Tater Tots:

1. Once the tater tots are baked, transfer them to a large serving dish.
2. Evenly drizzle the warm queso over the crispy tater tots.
3. Sprinkle the oven-baked, chopped bacon on top.
4. Drizzle the ranch dressing over the bacon and tater tots.
   ½ Cup ranch dressing
5. Garnish with the sliced scallions.
6. Season and Serve: Finish with a light sprinkle of salt and pepper. Serve the dish immediately while everything is still warm and inviting.
   Salt and pepper to taste

Nutrition

Serving: 1 | Calories: 446kcal | Carbohydrates: 33g | Protein: 5g | Fat: 31g | Saturated Fat: 9g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 5g | Monounsaturated Fat: 2g | Cholesterol: 36mg | Sodium: 1489mg | Potassium: 118mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 4g | Vitamin A: 303IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 150mg | Iron: 1mg

CourseCourse: Appetizer Recipe

CuisineCuisine: American

KeywordKeyword: Loaded Totchos

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I am Sarah Mock. Welcome!

Sarah Mock is a classically trained Chef and graduate of Johnson & Wales University. A culinary blogger for 15 years Sarah helps the home cook prepare her recipes with professional results.

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