Crispy bacon, green onions, and a drizzle of creamy ranch are the hallmarks of this cheesy Loaded Tater Tots Recipe.
Tater tots often feature in my fond memories of childhood lunches. I loved those darn things, and it seems like all my friends’ parents had never-ending bags of tots in their freezers. Tots with bologna sandwiches for lunch; tots with chicken nuggets for dinner, all summer long. I’m sure some of you can relate to this, but there was a point in my life where the river of everlasting tots just stopped flowing. What happened?
Even though these crunchy potato cylinders are much beloved by lunching children from coast to coast, I’d like to remind everyone that adults can also enjoy these starchy finger foods. After all, potatoes put a smile on every face. Raise your hand if you prefer tater tots over French fries! (I am raising my hand.) I vote to bring tater tots into adulthood. And let’s go ahead and bring back post-lunch naptime, too.
This recipe for loaded tater tots truly elevates the humble potato cylinder into adult tastes. They’re loaded like a baked potato, so they have crunchy bacon crumbles, melty cheese, zingy green onions, and a creamy, Greek yogurt-based ranch drizzle. They’re the perfect dish to add to a game-day snack spread. If you add some sliced grilled chicken and baby spinach, they’d make a pretty decent meal, too!
Are These Loaded Tater Tots Healthy?
Loaded tater tots are not healthy by several different metrics. Even with the crumbled bacon, there isn’t much protein in this dish. It’s high in calories, and even baked tater tots contain some grease. However, in this recipe, we make an effort to use some healthy toppings where we can. Instead of sour cream, this recipe uses Greek yogurt to make the ranch drizzle, which results in fewer calories and more protein. Feel free to use whatever bacon you prefer, but the turkey bacon option does decrease the calories and fat content in this dish. Finally, using low-fat shredded cheddar is way healthier than cheese sauce or full-fat cheddar. All things considered, this hearty snack should be enjoyed in moderation.
Overall, this dish is gluten-free. To make a vegetarian-friendly batch, simply omit the bacon (or use a plant-based variety) and enjoy!
Loaded Tater Tot Variations
Like most dishes involving taters with toppings, you can customize these loaded tater tots to your taste preferences. Feel free to use any different type of cheese you have on hand. Make them more like loaded nachos (or “tot-chos,” perhaps) with pepper jack, black beans, jalapeños, and fresh avocados. You can also serve these for breakfast or brunch (potatoes, bacon, cheese… all there!) and top with fried or over-easy eggs.
How Do I Store Leftovers?
Store leftover loaded tater tots in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. To reheat, pop them in the oven at 350°F for 10-15 minutes. I don’t recommend freezing them once the toppings are already on, due to the sour cream. But if you have a ton of leftovers, consider chopping it all up and mixing it with scrambled eggs, then wrapping it in a tortilla for an amazing breakfast burrito!
Serving Suggestions
These loaded tater tots are awesome because they can easily be the star of the show, served as a side, or enjoyed as an appetizer. I would serve these loaded tots as a main dish, alongside a crisp, healthy salad to balance out the meal, like this nutritious Kale Salad with Cranberries or this Spinach Salad.
If your loaded tots are acting as a side dish or appetizer, they would be great with a mouthwatering veggie burger, like our Black Bean Burger.
Ingredients
- Nonstick cooking spray
- 32 ounces frozen tater tots
- 1 cup Greek yogurt (or sour cream)
- ¼ cup ranch seasoning mix store-bought or homemade
- 1½ cups low-fat shredded cheddar cheese
- 4 slices bacon chopped and cooked until crisp; use turkey bacon if desired
- 2 green onions thinly sliced
- Fresh chives or parsley for garnish, optional
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to the temperature specified on the tater tot package. Line a baking sheet with aluminum foil and spray the foil with nonstick spray.
- Spread the tater tots in a single layer on the baking sheet. Bake them according to the package instructions until they are golden brown and crispy.
- While the tater tots are baking, mix the Greek yogurt with your ranch seasoning mix in a small bowl.
- Once the tater tots are done, remove them from the oven and turn the oven to the "broil" setting. Sprinkle the cheddar cheese over the tater tots. Broil for 3 minutes, or until the cheese is melted. Be careful not to burn them.
- Remove the tater tots from the oven. Drizzle the Greek yogurt ranch mixture over the cheesy tots, then scatter the chopped bacon and green onions on top. Garnish with chives and/or parsley, if desired. Serve immediately.
Nutrition Info:
Nutrition information are estimates only and may vary based on the specific brands, ingredients, and portion sizes you use. This data is provided for informational purposes only.
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