The Best Loaded Tater Tots That Will Impress Any Crowd
There’s something so satisfying about crispy, cheesy loaded tater tots. They’re easy to make, super filling, and always a hit. Great for parties, game nights, or casual dinners — you won’t need much of a reason to whip up a batch. Add your favorite toppings and make them your own!
These loaded tater tots come together fast with just a few easy ingredients. Bake the tots, cook the bacon, warm up some queso, and slice a few scallions. Then pile it all on and dig in. It’s a fun dish that turns any meal into a treat. You can even set out toppings and let everyone build their own.
This recipe is easy to double if you’re feeding a crowd or want leftovers for later. Loaded tater tots reheat well and always disappear fast. Once you try them, they’ll be a regular in your meal rotation. Keep some extra tots on hand so you’re always ready to make a batch.
Loaded Tater Tots
Cuisine: Lunch, DinnerDifficulty: Easy4-6
servings10
minutes25
minutes35
minutesIngredients
1 package of frozen tater tots (32 oz)
8 slices of bacon, chopped
1 cup queso
1/2 cup ranch dressing
2 scallions, thinly sliced
salt + pepper to taste
Directions
- Preheat Oven: 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.
- Prepare the Tater Tots and Bacon:
- For Tater Tots: 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.
- For Bacon: Place a baking sheet. Arrange the bacon slices in a single layer on the rack. This setup allows the bacon to cook evenly.
- Bake Tater Tots and Bacon: 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.
- Slice the scallions and chop the bacon.
- Warm the Queso: 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.
- Assemble the Loaded Tater Tots:
- Once the tater tots are baked, transfer them to a large serving dish.
- Evenly drizzle the warm queso over the crispy tater tots.
- Sprinkle the oven-baked, chopped bacon on top.
- Drizzle the ranch dressing over the bacon and tater tots.
- Garnish with the sliced scallions.
- Season and Serve: Finish with a light sprinkle of salt and pepper. Serve the dish immediately while everything is still warm and inviting.
