This recipe elevates the humble tater tot into a decadent and flavorful bite by stuffing them with a cheesy filling and crispy bacon. These Bacon and Cheese Stuffed Tater Tots offer a delightful combination of textures: a crispy, golden-brown exterior giving way to a warm, fluffy potato interior with a molten core of melted cheese and savory bacon bits. 1 The process involves hollowing out pre-made tater tots, filling them with a mixture of cheese (such as cheddar, mozzarella, or a blend) and cooked, crumbled bacon, and then either baking, air frying, or deep frying them until the exterior is extra crispy and the filling is hot and gooey. The pre-made tater tots provide a convenient base, saving time and effort. The filling is simple yet incredibly satisfying, combining the salty, smoky flavor of bacon with the melty, savory goodness of cheese. The cooking method can be chosen based on preference for crispiness and oil usage. Baking offers a slightly healthier option, while air frying provides a good balance of crispiness with less oil. Deep frying will yield the most intensely crispy exterior. These stuffed tater tots are perfect as a party appetizer, a game-day snack, or an indulgent side dish. They are incredibly addictive and pair well with a variety of dipping sauces, such as ranch dressing, sour cream, cheese sauce, or a spicy mayo. The combination of familiar and comforting flavors with a fun, bite-sized format makes these Bacon and Cheese Stuffed Tater Tots a guaranteed crowd-pleaser. The image shows a close-up of a pile of golden-brown tater tots on a white plate. Several of the tater tots have visible bits of bacon incorporated into their exterior. One tater tot in the center has been broken open, revealing a creamy, melted cheese filling with more bacon pieces inside. The overall appearance is crispy and cheesy.
The texture of Bacon and Cheese Stuffed Tater Tots is a delightful contrast between a crispy and golden-brown exterior and a warm, fluffy potato interior with a gooey, melted cheese and chewy bacon center.
The flavor profile is a savory explosion of earthy potato, salty and smoky bacon, and rich, melty cheese. The combination is comforting, indulgent, and incredibly satisfying.
Bacon and Cheese Stuffed Tater Tots are a fun and flavorful upgrade to classic tater tots, filled with gooey cheese and savory bacon for an irresistible bite-sized snack or appetizer.
The preparation involves hollowing out tater tots, stuffing them with a mixture of cheese and bacon, and then cooking them until crispy and the filling is melted.
Ingredients:
- 20-25 frozen tater tots, thawed slightly (just enough to handle)
- ½ cup shredded cheese (cheddar, Monterey Jack, mozzarella, or a blend)
- ¼ cup cooked bacon, crumbled
- 1 tablespoon cream cheese, softened (optional, helps bind the filling)
- Cooking oil spray (if baking or air frying)
- Vegetable oil (if deep frying)
- Optional dipping sauces: Ranch dressing, sour cream, cheese sauce, spicy mayo
Equipment:
- Small knife or melon baller
- Small mixing bowl
- Baking sheet (if baking)
- Air fryer (if air frying)
- Deep fryer or heavy-bottomed pot (if deep frying)
- Slotted spoon (if deep frying)
- Paper towels
Instructions:
- Prepare the Filling: In a small mixing bowl, combine the shredded cheese, crumbled cooked bacon, and softened cream cheese (if using). Mix well until evenly combined.
- Hollow Out the Tater Tots: Using a small, sharp knife or a melon baller, carefully create a small well or cavity in the center of each slightly thawed tater tot. Be careful not to cut all the way through. You want to create enough space for the filling.
- Stuff the Tater Tots: Using a small spoon or your fingers, carefully fill each hollowed-out tater tot with the cheese and bacon mixture. Gently press the filling into the cavity.
- Choose Your Cooking Method: You can bake, air fry, or deep fry the stuffed tater tots. Follow the instructions below for your chosen method:
- Baking: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Lightly grease a baking sheet or line it with parchment paper. Arrange the stuffed tater tots in a single layer on the baking sheet. Lightly spray them with cooking oil spray. Bake for 15-20 minutes, or until golden brown and crispy, flipping them halfway through.
- Air Frying: Preheat your air fryer to 375°F (190°C). Arrange the stuffed tater tots in a single layer in the air fryer basket, being careful not to overcrowd. You may need to cook them in batches. Lightly spray them with cooking oil spray. Air fry for 8-12 minutes, or until golden brown and crispy, shaking the basket halfway through.
- Deep Frying: Heat about 2-3 inches of vegetable oil in a deep fryer or heavy-bottomed pot to 375°F (190°C). Carefully add the stuffed tater tots to the hot oil in batches, being careful not to overcrowd. Fry for 2-3 minutes per batch, or until golden brown and crispy. Remove them with a slotted spoon and drain on paper towels.
- Serve: Once the Bacon and Cheese Stuffed Tater Tots are cooked to your liking, transfer them to a serving plate. Serve immediately while they are hot and the cheese filling is melted and gooey. Offer your favorite dipping sauces on the side.
Enjoy these indulgent and delicious Bacon and Cheese Stuffed Tater Tots! They are a perfect appetizer or snack that is sure to be a hit.