These Cheesy Bacon Loaded Tater Tots are crispy, cheesy, and full of flavor. Topped with oven‑baked bacon, warm queso, creamy ranch, and fresh scallions, they’re an ideal party snack, simple side dish, or casual dinner everyone will enjoy.
What you’ll love about this recipe:
-
Crispy tater tots loaded with melty queso, savory bacon, and creamy ranch in every bite -
Simple to prepare with everyday ingredients — great for game day, parties, or weeknight dinners -
A comforting, crowd‑pleasing appetizer that’s sure to get requests for seconds
Ingredients You’ll Need
- 1 package frozen tater tots (about 32 oz)
- 8 slices bacon, chopped
- 1 cup queso
- 1/2 cup ranch dressing
- 2 scallions, thinly sliced
- Salt and pepper to taste
Step by Step Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 425°F (220°C). If your tater tots package lists a different temperature, adjust so both the tots and the bacon can cook properly.
- For the tater tots: Arrange the tots in a single layer on a baking sheet. Bake according to package directions—typically 20–25 minutes—until they’re golden and crisp.
- For the bacon: Place bacon slices on a baking sheet or on a rack over a sheet pan so air can circulate. This helps the bacon cook evenly and become crispy.
- Bake tater tots and bacon together: Put both pans in the oven. Bacon usually needs 15–20 minutes to crisp; begin checking around 12 minutes to prevent overcooking. Remove bacon when crispy and let it cool slightly before chopping.
- While the bacon cools, slice the scallions and chop the cooled bacon into bite‑sized pieces.
- Warm the queso: Heat the queso in a microwave‑safe bowl or on the stovetop until it’s hot and pourable, about 2–3 minutes. Stir so it’s smooth.
- Assemble: Transfer the hot, crispy tater tots to a large serving dish or platter.
- Evenly drizzle warm queso over the tots so each bite gets cheesy goodness.
- Scatter the chopped bacon over the queso and tots.
- Drizzle ranch dressing over the top for a creamy tang.
- Garnish with the sliced scallions for brightness and a mild onion flavor.
- Finish with a light sprinkle of salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste. Serve immediately while warm.
Tips: Use a rack for the bacon to drain fat and get extra crispness. If you like more heat, try a drizzle of hot sauce or a sprinkle of diced jalapeño. For a vegetarian version, swap bacon for crispy roasted chickpeas or plant‑based bacon and use a vegetarian queso.
Loaded Tater Tots
- Author: Sandra Flegg
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 4 to 6 servings
Description
These loaded tots combine crispy texture, warm cheese, smoky bacon, and bright scallions for an irresistible plate. They’re easy to scale up for a crowd and come together quickly with pantry staples.
Ingredients
1 package frozen tater tots (about 32 oz)
8 slices bacon, chopped
1 cup queso
1/2 cup ranch dressing
2 scallions, thinly sliced
Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 425°F (220°C).
- Bake the tater tots until golden and crisp.
- Cook the bacon until crisp, then chop.
- Warm the queso until pourable.
- Assemble tots, drizzle queso, top with bacon and ranch, then finish with scallions, salt, and pepper.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American