These crispy, cheesy, flavorful tater tot appetizer cups are perfect as party snacks or game day food! Everyone will love these loaded tater tots recipe – the cups are stuffed with sour cream and bacon bits and topped with chives. You can also get creative and try your favorite sauces and extra goodies on these yummy baked snacks!
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Why We Love This Recipe
“Gimme your tots!” Do you remember that phrase from the movie Napoleon Dynamite? Tater tots have come a long way from being a last-minute freezer-to-oven side dish. They are super trendy for making appetizers, casseroles, and meals.
- They’re easy to make, but make a beautiful presentation! Our simple appetizer recipe uses frozen tots as the edible base for a heavenly, tasty trio of cheese, bacon bits, and sour cream.
- Handheld appetizers mean no mess! This crave-worthy game-day snack is a handheld version of tachos loaded tater tots, with flavors similar to a loaded potato casserole but less messy!
- Indulgent but fun! Sometimes you need an indulgent, delicious, comforting, and satisfying snack. So, go ahead and splurge on some tater-tot cups!
One thing is for sure: they aren’t on any healthy foods list. But hey, that’s okay!
Ingredient Notes and Substitutions
This incredible tater tot appetizers recipe uses a few simple ingredients. Here is what you’ll need:
- Frozen tater tots – There isn’t a substitution for these, but you can use shredded potatoes to make breakfast hash brown cups instead.
- Freshly shredded cheese – We use sharp cheddar, but any flavor of shreddable cheese you enjoy will work. Shred your cheese for that incredible cheese pull.
- Sour cream – To reduce calories and fat, substitute with plain Greek yogurt or light sour cream.
- Toppings – This recipe uses chopped chives and bacon bits. Other garnish ideas are spicy dijon mustard, salsa with jalapeno or hot cream cheese dip.
How to Make This Loaded Tater Tots Recipe
- Spray muffin pan with cooking spray, then add 5-7 tots. The number of tots you place in each muffin tin depends on the size of the muffin pan you’re using.
Bake the frozen tater tots in the oven. Let them cool before proceeding to the next step.
- Make the cups: Depending on the size of your muffin tin, use a shot glass, small juice glass, or measuring cup. Press the glass or cup into the cooked tots to create stuffed potato cups.
I used a small Duralex juice glass to create deep impressions in each well like shown below.
🎯 TFN Pro Tip
Leave a small gap between the glass and cupcake pan opening. Twist the glass or container until the edges of the potatoes are close to the top of the muffin tin opening.
- Bake them for a few minutes until crispy. Then it’s time to fill them with cheese!
Add shredded cheese to each cup. I used a small melon baller to measure and add the cheese.
- Bake again for a few minutes until the cheese is melted. Remove from oven to add the toppings.
- Garnish and serve! Top the cheese with chopped bacon bits, sour cream, sliced green onions, or chopped chives, and serve this loaded tater tots recipe and be prepared for them to disappear!
Get creative and add Tabasco sauce, a drizzle of ranch dressing, BBQ sauce, or even easy marinara dipping sauce on top!
These stuffed tater-tot cups are so yummy! Be sure to make enough for each person to have plenty, though, because they will definitely go quickly.
Frequently Asked Recipe Questions
You can. Follow steps 1-6 in the recipe, then refrigerate. Before serving, cover the muffin tin with foil and bake at 400ºF for 10 minutes or until crispy and golden. Add toppings and serve.
Store leftovers in an air-tight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
Reheat in the oven or air fryer at 350ºF for 10 minutes or until warmed.
I recommend keeping them in a crockpot in a warm setting to keep them at 175ºF for serving.
Consider These Easy Appetizer Recipes…
If you tried this loaded tater tots recipe or any other recipe on my website, please leave a 🌟 star rating and let me know how it went in the 📝 comments below. Thanks for visiting!
Tater Tot Appetizer Cups
Equipment
- muffin pan
- non-stick cooking spray
- shot glass
Ingredients
- 48-60 frozen tater tots (16-oz bag)
- ¾ cup cheddar cheese, shredded
- ½ cup sour cream
- 4 slices bacon, cooked and crumbled
- 2 green onions, sliced (green part only)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 450ºF. Spray muffin pan cups with cooking spray.
- For mini-sized muffin pan: Place 2-3 tots in each muffin cup.
- For regular sized muffin pan: Place 4-5 tots in each muffin cup.
- Place muffin pan on bottom rack of the oven and bake 10 minutes. Remove the pan from the oven.
- Spray bottom of shot glass or small juice glass with cooking spray. Use it (in a twisting motion) to press the tots in each muffin cup to make potato cups. Return to oven; bake additional 15 minutes or until deep golden brown.
- Add 1 tablespoon of cheese to each potato cup. Bake for 4-5 minutes, or until the cheese has melted. Transfer to platter and let cool for 5 minutes.
- Add sour cream, bacon, and green onion to each loaded tater tot appetizer cup, and other garnishes. Serve warm.
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Lois says
So good. Took them to a party and they disappeared
Jeannie says
Can these be made in an air fryer?
Gianne - TFN Team Member says
Yes! You can absolutely make loaded tater tots in an air fryer for a crispy, delicious appetizer. To do so, preheat your air fryer to 400°F, then arrange the tater tots in a single layer in the basket. Cook for 10-12 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through to ensure even crisping. Once the tots are golden brown and crispy, transfer them to a serving dish, add your favorite toppings, and enjoy! Keep in mind that every air fryer is slightly different, so adjust the cooking time as needed. Let us know how they turn out!