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Loaded Tater Tots is an appetizer made with Crispy Golden Tater Crowns that are topped with a rich creamy cheese sauce, more cheese, bacon, Pico De Gallo, Jalapeño Peppers, and guacamole for the BEST Taters this side of the Rio Grande!

Last weekend, Mars and I took our “Lil’ B” down south to St. George (Utah) for a day of play. We had heard that there was a sandwich place that served these incredible Loaded Tater Tots. (Hey! Any type of potato that is fried, with the word “loaded” attached… is part of my food pyramid!) So we decided we’d give it a try!

Now this particular chain serves their “Loaded Tater Tots” with “Beer Cheese”(They took the term”loaded” to new heights!).  I’m not sure how much cheese was in the sauce…but the “beer” portion was covered! (I never knew you could be carded for Tater Tots!)

I don’t mind beer cheese…but…there has to be balance! These Loaded Tater Tots had all the elements necessary to be AWESOME…but that “beer cheese” sauce (I’m using the word “cheese” VERY loosely! GAG!) RUINED the entire dish! Those poor tots were staggering around on the dish!

I determined then and there I was going to make my own version! (Someone had to do an intervention and save the Tater Tots of the World!)

My version of “Homemade Loaded Tater Tots” focuses less on the literal term “LOADED”, and more on the fresh toppings needed to create a spectacular side dish or appetizer.

Layers of Crispy Tater Tot Crowns are topped with creamy homemade cheese sauce, grated cheese, bacon bits, jalapeño peppers, Pico de Gallo, and fresh guacamole. It is truly one of the best guilty pleasure side dishes I’ve made in years! (Swoon worthy good!)

How To Make Loaded Tater Tots

The key is to start out with a GREAT homemade cheese sauce. Now you can cheat and use Velveeta Cheese sauce packets or a pre-made Nacho Sauce. My homemade version is so good that I highly recommend taking the extra time to whip it up. Let’s do that!

In a medium sauce pan, over medium low heat, melt 2 tablespoons of butter. Whisk in 3 tablespoons of flour until thick.

Whisk in 1 1/2 cups of milk until smooth. Add salt and pepper to taste.

Add 1/4 cup Cheddar Cheese chunks and 2 string cheese cut into chunks. Stir until melted. If it’s too thick, add a little extra milk.

Stir in half a packet of Velveeta Cheese Sauce. Blend well. It’s all done! Set aside.

Time to show some love to those little “Tots”!

I wanted EPIC Loaded Tater Tots. That could mean only one thing in my book…”How to maintain chunky thighs at 50″… (sorry I couldn’t resist that one! Lol) I was going to have to fry those little golden gems of happiness! You can cook them in oven too…but the crisp you get with frying them is top-notch!

If you’re watching your fat…this isn’t the recipe for you. No seriously…go find my fried cauliflower rice recipe…it’s lurking around here somewhere! Probably between the Coconut Raspberry Cheesecake and the Italian Grilled Cheese Sandwiches. That’s where I’d want to be wedged between if I was pretend fried rice! Lol

Okay… back to the “Tots”! I used Ore Ida Crispy Crowns in the 30 oz. bag.  You can use regular Tater Tots if you prefer. I just love the “crowns”.  You’ll use 1/2 of the bag for this recipe.

Pour 1 inch of vegetable oil on the bottom of a medium sauce pan and heat over medium high heat. When the oil is hot, CAREFULLY place a large handful of Tater Tots on a mesh strainer ladle and place them in the hot oil. Fry until golden and crispy. Carefully remove from the oil and place on a paper towel-lined plate. Season with salt. Continue frying until you have cooked half the bag of Crispy Crowns.

Preheat over to 350°. Use parchment paper to line a small cast iron skillet or pie plate. This will make clean up a breeze when you’re done.

Place half the fried Tater Crowns on the bottom of the dish.

Spoon Cheese sauce over the top of the Crispy Crowns. Sprinkle 3/4 cup of grated Cheddar Jack cheese over the top of the cheese sauce. The combination of both types of cheese is remarkable in this dish!

Add another layer of Crispy Crowns (Come on! We’re going for a mountain of Tater goodness!), followed by more cheese sauce, and another sprinkle of cheese! (I told ya…I was out to save the “loaded tater tots of the world!)

Top with Bacon Bits and sliced Jalapeño peppers. Look at all that YUM! That amazing homemade cheese sauce running down those crispy tater’s like molten lava!

Place in the preheated oven and bake for 15 minutes, until the cheese is melted. You can dance around the kitchen in anticipation…or you can whip up the Guacamole! Your choice…I may have been doing both!

Here’s my recipe for homemade guacamole. I reduced this and only used two ripe avocados!

Remove the Tater Nachos from the oven and sprinkle with store-bought Pico De Gallo and a heaping scoop of your homemade Guacamole.

This is such a wonderful appetizer or meal! I could have eaten the entire plate by myself. I didn’t! Even Mars gave this one two enthusiastic thumbs up!

My sober tater’s thanked me for leaving the beer out! It cut the “bite” out of this dish, and it didn’t overpower all the other spectacular flavors.

TIP: This is another dish you can customize. If you’re not a fan of Jalapeño peppers…leave them off. Not a “Pico” fan… switch it out for regular green onions and tomatoes. I’ll admit, I love the depth of flavor the different elements in the Pico lend to this dish. Don’t like bacon?

WHAT’S WRONG WITH YOU! (Just kidding…kinda! Lol) You get the idea. Make this dish your own.

There you have it. My version of Loaded Tater Tots! 100% better than anything you can order at any restaurant!

Here are some other Favorite Appetizer Recipes from my Nest

• Air Fryer Garlic Parmesan Wings
• Oven Fried Mini-Beef Flautas
• Easy Philly Cheese Steak Sliders
• Stuffed Jalapeno Poppers
• Hot Spinach Artichoke Dip
• Hasselback Pepperoni Pizza Sliders
• Southern Pimento Cheese Dip from Soulfully Made

I know you’ll love this dish. What’s not to love?!!! Just don’t hate me for the new addiction!

Happy Nesting!

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