Can I make these ahead of time?

Yes! You can bake the tater tot cups in advance, let them cool, and store them in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. When ready to serve, reheat in the oven at 400°F for 10 minutes before adding toppings.

How do I make these crispier?

For extra crispy tater tot cups, bake the tots for an additional 5 minutes before pressing them into the muffin tin. Using freshly shredded cheese instead of pre-packaged cheese also helps prevent sogginess.

Can I make these without a muffin tin?

Yes! You can arrange the tater tots on a baking sheet, shape them into small clusters with the back of a spoon, and bake until crisp. They won’t have the same cup shape but will still hold toppings well.

What are some topping variations?

Get creative with your toppings! Try shredded BBQ chicken, pulled pork, caramelized onions, diced jalapeños, or even a drizzle of ranch dressing or hot sauce for extra flavor.

Loaded Tater Tot Appetizer Cups

Name: Loaded Tater Tot Appetizer Cups
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 45 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 48-60 frozen tater tots (16 oz bag); ¾ cup shredded cheddar cheese; ½ cup sour cream; 4 slices cooked bacon, crumbled; 2 green onions, sliced (green part only); Non-stick cooking spray

Description

Loaded Tater Tot Appetizer Cups are crispy, cheesy, and packed with savory flavors. Made with golden-baked tater tots, melty cheddar cheese, smoky bacon, and creamy sour cream, this easy party snack is perfect for game nights, holidays, and gatherings.

Ingredients

Scale

48–60 frozen tater tots (16 oz bag)
¾ cup shredded cheddar cheese
½ cup sour cream
4 slices cooked bacon, crumbled
2 green onions, sliced (green part only)
Non-stick cooking spray

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Instructions

Preheat the Oven: Set the oven to 450°F (230°C) and lightly grease a muffin pan with non-stick cooking spray to prevent sticking.
Arrange the Tater Tots: Place 4-5 frozen tater tots in each muffin cup, making sure they cover the bottom evenly.
Bake the Tots: Put the muffin pan on the bottom rack of the oven and bake for 10 minutes, allowing the tots to soften slightly.
Shape the Cups: Take the pan out of the oven and use the bottom of a shot glass or small cup to press the softened tater tots down into a cup shape. Make sure the edges rise slightly to hold the fillings.
Crisp the Cups: Return the muffin pan to the oven and bake for an additional 15 minutes, or until the tater tot cups are golden brown and crispy.
Melt the Cheese: Remove the pan from the oven and add a spoonful of shredded cheddar cheese to each cup. Place the pan back in the oven for another 3-5 minutes until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
Add the Toppings: Let the tater tot cups cool for a few minutes before topping them with sour cream, crumbled bacon, and sliced green onions. Serve immediately while warm and crispy.

Notes

For a spicier version, add diced jalapeños or a drizzle of hot sauce on top. If making ahead, store the baked tater tot cups without toppings in an airtight container and reheat in the oven before serving. To make this recipe vegetarian, replace bacon with crispy fried onions or sautéed mushrooms.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Category: Appetizer, Snack
Method: Baking
Cuisine: American

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 loaded tater tot cup
Calories: 115
Sugar: 1g
Sodium: 208mg
Fat: 8g
Saturated Fat: 3g
Unsaturated Fat: 4g
Trans Fat: 0g
Carbohydrates: 10g
Fiber: 1g
Protein: 3g
Cholesterol: 13mg