Loaded Tater Tot Cups Recipe

Introduction

Loaded Tater Tot Cups are a fun and delicious twist on a classic snack, perfect for parties or a comforting appetizer. Crispy on the outside and filled with melty cheese and bacon, they’re sure to be a crowd-pleaser.

Ingredients

• 32 ounce bag frozen tater tots
• 8 ounce block cheddar cheese, cut into ½ inch squares
• 1 cup bacon pieces
• ½ teaspoon garlic powder
• ½ teaspoon ranch seasoning
• Sour cream, for topping
• 2 green onions, thinly sliced

Instructions

1. Step 1: Preheat the oven to 425°F. Spray a 12-cup muffin tin with non-stick cooking spray.
2. Step 2: Place 6 tater tots into each muffin cup. Sprinkle garlic powder and ranch seasoning evenly over all the tater tots.
3. Step 3: Bake for about 20 minutes, or until the tater tots are soft enough to smash.
4. Step 4: Using the back of a spoon or a small glass, gently press down on the tater tots to form a cup shape.
5. Step 5: Add 2 cubes of cheddar cheese and a few pieces of crumbled bacon into each tater tot cup.
6. Step 6: Return the muffin tin to the oven and bake for another 10 minutes, until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
7. Step 7: Remove from the oven and let cool briefly. Carefully remove each cup from the tin and top with sour cream and sliced green onions.

Tips & Variations

• For extra flavor, try adding chopped jalapeños or a sprinkle of smoked paprika before baking.
• Use pepper jack cheese instead of cheddar for a spicy kick.
• Substitute turkey bacon or vegetarian bacon to accommodate dietary preferences.
• If you don’t have ranch seasoning, a mix of dried dill, parsley, and onion powder works great.

Storage

Store leftover tater tot cups in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat in a 350°F oven for about 10 minutes to restore crispiness, or microwave briefly if short on time.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I make these ahead of time?

Yes, you can prepare the tater tot cups up to the point before adding cheese and bacon, then refrigerate. Add toppings and bake just before serving.

Can I use fresh toppings other than green onions?

Absolutely! Chopped chives, parsley, or even a bit of crispy fried onions add great texture and flavor on top.

Loaded Tater Tot Cups Recipe

---

★★★★★

4.5 from 75 reviews

• Author: Thomas
• Total Time: 40 minutes
• Yield: 12 servings (12 cups) 1x

Pin Recipe

Print Recipe

Description

Loaded Tater Tot Cups are a delicious and fun appetizer or snack featuring crispy baked tater tots formed into mini cups, filled with melted cheddar cheese and crispy bacon, then topped with sour cream and fresh green onions. Perfect for parties or game day, these savory bites combine comforting flavors with a satisfying crispy texture.

---

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Base

• 32 ounce bag frozen tater tots
• ½ teaspoon garlic powder
• ½ teaspoon ranch seasoning

Filling

• 8 ounce block cheddar cheese, cut into ½ inch squares
• 1 cup bacon pieces

Toppings

• Sour cream, for serving
• 2 green onions, thinly sliced

---

Instructions

1. Preheat and prepare muffin tin: Preheat the oven to 425°F (220°C). Spray a 12-cup muffin tin with nonstick cooking spray to prevent sticking.
2. Add tater tots and season: Place 6 tater tots into each muffin cup evenly. Sprinkle a little garlic powder and ranch seasoning evenly over all the tater tots for added flavor.
3. Bake the tater tots: Bake in the preheated oven for about 20 minutes, or until the tater tots are soft enough to be pressed into a cup shape.
4. Form tater tot cups: Using the back of a spoon or a small glass, gently press down on the baked tater tots in each muffin cup to create a hollow cup for the filling.
5. Add cheese and bacon: Place 2 cubes of cheddar cheese and a few crumbled bacon pieces into each formed tater tot cup.
6. Bake until cheese melts: Return the muffin tin to the oven and bake for another 10 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
7. Cool and top: Remove the tray from the oven and allow the tater tot cups to cool for a few minutes. Carefully remove each cup from the muffin tin and top with a dollop of sour cream and a sprinkle of thinly sliced green onions before serving.

Notes

• You can substitute the bacon with cooked sausage or skip it to make these vegetarian without the bacon.
• For extra crispiness, broil for 1-2 minutes after the second bake but watch carefully to avoid burning.
• Use full-fat cheddar cheese for the best melty texture and flavor.
• Serve warm for best taste and texture.
• These can be prepared ahead of time and reheated in the oven at 350°F until warmed through.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 30 minutes
• Category: Appetizer
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Keywords: tater tot cups, loaded tater tots, appetizer, party snacks, cheese and bacon snacks, baked tater tots