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Loaded Tater Tots on a plate.

Loaded Tater Tots Recipe

Author: Mandy Applegate
These loaded tater tots turn a bag of frozen tots into a party-ready snack, piled with crispy bacon, warm queso, ranch, and fresh scallions. Bake the tots and bacon together, then add the toppings right before serving to keep everything crisp.
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Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Total Time: 40 minutes
Course: Appetizer, Side Dish, Snack
Cuisine: American
Keyword: loaded tater tots
Servings: 6 people
Calories: 601kcal

Ingredients

  • 32 ounces package of frozen tater tots
  • 8 slices of bacon
  • 1 cup queso
  • ½ cup ranch dressing
  • 2 scallions thinly sliced
  • Salt and pepper to taste
US Customary - Metric

Instructions

  • 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.
  • 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.
    32 ounces package of frozen tater tots
  • Arrange the bacon slices on a different baking sheet in a single layer and place it on the rack. This setup allows the bacon to cook evenly.
    8 slices of 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.
  • 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
  • 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.
    ½ cup ranch dressing, 2 scallions
  • 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

Notes

  • Keep the tater tots in a single layer so they crisp instead of steaming; use two sheets if needed.
  • Broil for a couple of minutes at the end for extra-crunchy edges, watching so they don't burn.
  • Hold the queso and ranch until just before serving; adding them early is what makes the tots soft.
  • Cook the bacon on a wire rack, in the air fryer, or in the microwave between paper towels for less cleanup.
  • Swap the queso for shredded cheddar or Monterey Jack, or the ranch for blue cheese or spicy aioli.
  • Refrigerate leftovers in an airtight container for 3 to 4 days, and store the bacon and scallions separately so they keep their texture.

Nutrition

Calories: 601kcal | Carbohydrates: 45g | Protein: 12g | Fat: 43g | Saturated Fat: 13g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 12g | Monounsaturated Fat: 12g | Trans Fat: 0.04g | Cholesterol: 54mg | Sodium: 1703mg | Potassium: 570mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 4g | Vitamin A: 320IU | Vitamin C: 11mg | Calcium: 173mg | Iron: 1mg
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