Loaded Tater Tot Cups Recipe

Introduction

Loaded Tater Tot Cups are a fun and delicious finger food perfect for parties or a hearty snack. Crispy tater tots baked into little cups are filled with melted cheddar cheese and topped with sour cream, bacon, and scallions. They’re easy to make and always a crowd-pleaser.

Ingredients

• 1 pound frozen tater tots (or half of a 32 ounce bag)
• ¾ cup shredded mild cheddar cheese
• ⅓ cup sour cream
• ½ cup bacon crumbles
• ⅓ cup thinly sliced scallions (green onions)

Instructions

1. Step 1: Preheat oven to 425°F.
2. Step 2: Evenly divide the frozen tater tots between the 12 cups of a standard muffin pan, placing 4-5 tater tots in each cup.
3. Step 3: Bake for 10 minutes.
4. Step 4: Remove the muffin pan and use the flat bottom of a small glass to press down the center of the tater tots in each muffin cup. Press with a light twist until the tater tots form a cup shape. Repeat for all cups.
5. Step 5: Return the muffin pan to the oven and bake for an additional 15 minutes.
6. Step 6: Remove the pan and place about 1 tablespoon of shredded cheddar cheese into the center of each tater tot cup.
7. Step 7: Bake for another 2-3 minutes, or until the cheese melts.
8. Step 8: Let the tater tot cups rest in the muffin pan for 3-4 minutes after baking.
9. Step 9: Carefully run a butter knife or small offset spatula around the edges of each cup to loosen them.
10. Step 10: Remove the cups from the muffin pan and transfer to a serving platter.
11. Step 11: Top each cup with about 1 to 1½ teaspoons of sour cream, then sprinkle with bacon crumbles and sliced scallions.

Tips & Variations

• For added flavor, try mixing a pinch of garlic powder or smoked paprika into the tater tots before baking.
• Swap bacon crumbles for cooked sausage or diced ham if preferred.
• Use pepper jack cheese instead of cheddar for a spicy kick.
• Make these vegetarian by omitting bacon and adding diced bell peppers or jalapeños as toppings.

Storage

Store leftover tater tot cups in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat in an oven or toaster oven at 350°F for about 10-12 minutes to maintain crispiness. Avoid microwaving, as it can make them soggy.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I make these ahead of time?

You can prepare the tater tot cups and bake them without cheese or toppings, then refrigerate. Add cheese and bake again just before serving for best results.

What can I use if I don’t have a muffin pan?

A mini casserole dish or similar oven-safe dish can work, but the classic muffin pan shape helps create perfectly portioned cups.

Loaded Tater Tot Cups Recipe

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4.8 from 129 reviews

Crispy, golden loaded tater tot cups filled with melted cheddar cheese, topped with creamy sour cream, savory bacon crumbles, and fresh scallions. This easy-to-make appetizer or snack is perfect for parties, game days, or anytime you crave a comforting bite with a delicious twist.

• Author: Rico
• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 30 minutes
• Total Time: 40 minutes
• Yield: 12 servings (12 tater tot cups) 1x
• Category: Appetizer
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Tater Tot Cups

• 1 pound frozen tater tots (about half of a 32-ounce bag)
• ¾ cup shredded mild cheddar cheese

Toppings

• ⅓ cup sour cream
• ½ cup bacon crumbles
• ⅓ cup thinly sliced scallions (green onions)

Instructions

1. Preheat the Oven: Set your oven to 425°F to ensure it reaches the perfect temperature while you prepare the tater tot cups.
2. Fill Muffin Pan with Tater Tots: Distribute 4-5 frozen tater tots evenly into each of the 12 cups of a standard muffin pan.
3. Bake Initial Layer: Bake the tater tots for 10 minutes to start crisping them up.
4. Form the Cups: Remove the pan and gently press down the tots in each cup using the flat bottom of a small glass. Twist slightly while pressing to shape the tots into a cup.
5. Bake to Crisp: Return the pan to the oven and bake for an additional 15 minutes to firm up the cup shape and get them nice and crispy.
6. Add Cheese: Remove the pan and place about 1 tablespoon of shredded cheddar cheese in the center of each tater tot cup.
7. Melt the Cheese: Bake the cups once more for 2-3 minutes until the cheese is melted and gooey.
8. Rest the Cups: Let the tater tot cups rest in the pan for 3-4 minutes to cool slightly and set.
9. Loosen from Muffin Pan: Carefully run a butter knife or small offset spatula around the edges of each cup to prevent sticking.
10. Remove and Serve: Transfer the tater tot cups onto a serving platter using the offset spatula.
11. Add Toppings: Top each cup with a dollop (about 1 to ½ teaspoon) of sour cream, sprinkle bacon crumbles generously, and finish with thinly sliced scallions for freshness.

Notes

• Use a small glass or measuring cup bottom to press down tater tots gently but firmly to form perfect cups.
• You can substitute bacon crumbles with cooked sausage or omit for a vegetarian version.
• Make sure to let the cups rest in the pan after baking for easier removal and better texture.
• Serve immediately for best crispiness; leftovers can be reheated in the oven to retain crisp texture.

Keywords: tater tot cups, loaded tater tots, appetizer, snack, party food, bacon, cheddar cheese, sour cream, scallions