Loaded Tater Tots Cheese Beef (Printable)
Crispy tater tots layered with cheddar, Monterey Jack, and savory beef bacon bits, garnished with green onions and sour cream.
# Ingredient List:
→ Tater Tots
01 - 28 oz frozen tater tots
→ Cheese
02 - 2 cups shredded Cheddar cheese
03 - ½ cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese
→ Beef Bacon Bits
04 - 3.5 oz beef bacon, finely diced
→ Garnishes
05 - 2 green onions, thinly sliced
06 - ¼ cup sour cream
07 - 1 medium tomato, diced
08 - 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley
# Steps:
01 - Preheat the oven to 425°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or foil.
02 - Arrange the frozen tater tots in a single layer on the prepared baking sheet. Bake for 20–25 minutes, or until golden and crispy, turning halfway through for even browning.
03 - While the tater tots are baking, cook the diced beef bacon in a skillet over medium heat until crispy, about 5–7 minutes. Drain on paper towels.
04 - Remove the tater tots from the oven. Sprinkle evenly with Cheddar and Monterey Jack cheese, then top with the cooked beef bacon bits.
05 - Return the tray to the oven and bake for an additional 3–5 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
06 - Transfer the loaded tater tots to a serving platter. Garnish with green onions, dollops of sour cream, diced tomato, and parsley if desired. Serve immediately.
# Expert Advice:
01 -
- It takes 35 minutes from freezer to table, making it perfect for unexpected guests or weeknight cravings
- The combination of extra crispy tots, two cheeses, and savory beef bacon creates layers of texture and flavor that no other appetizer can match
02 -
- Skip the thawing step entirely, frozen tots crisp up better than thawed ones and hold their shape under all those toppings
- The key is getting the tots super crispy before adding cheese, otherwise they will become soggy under the weight of everything
03 -
- Line your baking sheet with parchment paper for the easiest cleanup ever, no scrubbing required
- Precook any raw vegetables like diced bell peppers before adding them, otherwise they release water and make everything soggy