These bite-sized treats are the perfect party appetizer or snack. Crispy tater tots filled with smoky bacon and gooey cheese – what’s not to love?
Ingredients:
- 1 (32 ounce) bag frozen tater tots
- 6-8 slices of bacon, cooked crispy and crumbled
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese (or your favorite cheese blend)
- Optional: 1/4 cup chopped green onions for garnish
- Optional: Sour cream or your favorite dipping sauce for serving
- Optional: 1/4 cup cream cheese softened.
Instructions:
- Cook the Bacon: Cook the bacon until crispy. Crumble it into small pieces and set aside.
- Prepare the Tater Tots:
- Preheat your oven according to the tater tots package directions. Usually 425F (220C).
- Place the frozen tater tots on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
- Bake the tater tots for approximately half the time listed on the package directions. They should be just starting to turn golden, but not fully cooked.
- Stuff the Tater Tots:
- Remove the baking sheet from the oven.
- Let the tater tots cool slightly, enough to handle them.
- Using a small knife or your finger, carefully create a small opening in the top of each tater tot.
- If using cream cheese, place a small amount into the hole you just created.
- Stuff each tater tot with a small amount of crumbled bacon and shredded cheese. Don’t overfill them.
- Bake Again:
- Return the stuffed tater tots to the baking sheet.
- Bake for the remaining time specified on the tater tot package, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly, and the tater tots are golden brown and crispy.
- Garnish and Serve:
- Remove the baking sheet from the oven and let the tater tots cool slightly.
- If desired, garnish with chopped green onions.
- Serve immediately with sour cream or your favorite dipping sauce.
Tips and Variations:
- Cheese Variations: Feel free to use different types of cheese, such as pepper jack, mozzarella, or a blend of cheeses.
- Add some spice: add some diced jalapenos to the cheese mixture.
- Air Fryer: These can also be made in an air fryer. Follow similar steps, cooking the tater tots partially, then stuffing and finishing them in the air fryer.
- Dipping Sauces: Serve with ranch dressing, barbecue sauce, or a spicy aioli.
- Make Ahead: You can stuff the tater tots ahead of time and refrigerate them until ready to bake. Add a few extra minutes to the baking time if they are cold.
- Sausage: Instead of bacon, try using cooked and crumbled breakfast sausage.
Enjoy your delicious bacon and cheese stuffed tater tots!