Cheesy Loaded Tater Tots (Totchos)

If you need a quick and easy lunch, supper, or maybe a snack for game day, these Loaded Tater Tots are always a hit! Baked tater tots with shredded cheese, crispy bacon, jalapenos, and sour cream make for a delicious, hearty meal that is always a crowd-pleaser!

Loaded Tater Tots

My family loves tater tots, and we often enjoy them as a side dish for burgers or fish. We also regularly make Tater Tot Casserole, which never has leftovers. But I wanted to change things up a few months back, and that's the first time I made Loaded Tater Tots, also known as Totchos.

I got this idea from one of my favorite things... Sonic Chili Cheese Tots. But instead of cheesy tater tots with chili, I made Tater Tot Nachos, and gosh - they are next level! This is an easy recipe that we will be making again and again.

The best part? There's so little prep time you can have Loaded Totchos ready to enjoy in 30 minutes or less!

What are Totchos?

Totchos are a delicious combination of tater tots and nachos... basically cheesy loaded tater tots! Instead of tortilla chips for sheet pan nachos, crispy tater tots serve as the base, and they’re typically loaded with classic nacho toppings like cheese, sour cream, and jalapeños. For some protein, I added fresh fried bacon. They’re crunchy, cheesy, and perfect for sharing as an appetizer or game-day snack!

Equipment Needed

You only need a couple of simple tools to make these Nacho Tots! 

• Baking Sheet
• Serving Platter

Ingredients

These ingredients are common and easy to find. Also, you can customize your loaded tater tots with your favorite toppings!

• Frozen Tater Tots
• Jarred Queso (or homemade queso)
• Shredded Cheddar Cheese
• Crumbled Cooked Bacon
• Pickled Jalapeños
• Sour Cream

 Find the complete recipe with ingredients measurements in the recipe card below.

How to Make Totchos

This is a simple recipe for loaded tater tot nachos that only requires a few steps and then you're ready to eat this tasty appetizer or main meal.

1. Start by baking your frozen tots in a single layer on a foil-lined pan according to package instructions to get them golden brown. 
2. Place hot cooked tater tots in an even layer on your platter. 
3. Drizzle with queso. I place my queso in a piping bag to make it easier. 
4. Top with shredded cheese and crumbled bacon. 
5. If you want jalapeños, top with those next, and finish off with sour cream and/or a drizzle of ranch dressing. 
6. Serve warm and enjoy. The perfect appetizer! 

Pro Tips

• Line your baking sheet with aluminum foil for easy cleanup.
• You can fry the tater tots in hot oil (a deep fryer or large skillet) or an air fryer if you like. If you choose to fry them in oil, be sure you place them on a paper towel-lined plate to absorb excess grease before placing them on a platter.
• You can do the same thing with fries - make loaded French fries!

Our Favorite Toppings

For this Totchos Recipe, I'm sharing today, I kept things simple, but you could easily change things up and add other toppings. Here are a few great additions to this simple loaded tater tots recipe:

• Salsa
• Green Onions
• Cheese Sauce
• Different kinds of shredded cheese... cheddar, Monterey Jack, or mozzarella cheese are all great options.
• Queso
• Ranch Dressing
• Guacamole
• Ground Beef or Ground Turkey
• Chili
• Pulled Pork
• Shredded Chicken
• Hot Sauce
• Chili
• Black Beans or Pinto Beans
• Real Bacon Bits (if you don't want to fry the bacon yourself)
• Chili Cheese Dip

Variations

This loaded tater tots recipe can be a full meal, a casual side dish, an easy appetizer or a party snack and there are so many great ways to change up this loaded tater tot recipe.

Beef Totchos.  Add cooked and drained ground beef as a topping to make a heartier tater tot appetizer.

Breakfast Totchos. For a breakfast version, top crispy tots with scrambled eggs, shredded cheese and crumbled bacon or sausage.

Chicken Totchos. Add shredded rotisserie chicken with ranch dressing, crumbled bacon, and shredded cheese for delicious loaded tots! For some spice, add buffalo sauce for Buffalo Chicken Totchos.

Pulled Pork Totchos. Top your baked tater tots iwth shredded pulled pork, barbecue sauce and cheese for a delicious meal.

Taco Totchos. Add ground beef with taco seasoning, warm queso, and taco toppings like lettuce, tomato and sour cream.

Serving Suggestions

• Fun Appetizers
• Game Day Food
• Movie Night
• Great snack for after-school

Storage Directions

If you have leftover loaded tater tots (we never do), you save them for another day.

1. Cool them down: Let the tater tots cool down to room temperature before storing them.
2. Use an airtight container: Place them in an airtight container or a resealable plastic bag to help keep them fresh.
3. Refrigerate: Store them in the fridge for up to 3-4 days.

When you're ready to reheat:

• Oven method: Reheat in the oven at 375°F (190°C) for about 10-15 minutes or until crispy. This will help retain their crunchiness.
• Air fryer method: If you have an air fryer, this is a great option! Heat them at 350°F (175°C) for 5-7 minutes.

Microwaving can make them soggy, so try to avoid that if possible.

These really are the best loaded tater tots - leave me a comment and let me know if you make them!

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