Loaded Tater Tot Cups

Name: Loaded Tater Tot Cups with Bacon and Cheese
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 25 min
Total time: 30 min
Yield: 12 servings
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 32 oz frozen tater tots; 1 tbsp potato seasoning; 4 slices bacon, cooked and crumbled; 1.5 cups shredded cheese blend; 1/2 cup sour cream, for topping; 2 green onions, sliced, for garnish

Loaded Tater Tot Cups are crispy potato cups baked in a muffin tin and topped with melted cheese, bacon, sour cream, and green onions. They're an easy, make-ahead appetizer that delivers crispy exteriors with creamy, savory fillings.

🌍American 🏷️Tater tot cups 🏷️Loaded tater tots 🏷️Appetizer 🏷️Game-day Snack

🏷️

🏷️Cheesy

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TikTok

Total

30 min

Servings

12

Difficulty

Easy

Est. Cost

$14–$23

Recipe Source

View original recipe

From TikTok

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TikTok

Ingredients

32 oz frozen tater tots
1 tbsp potato seasoning
4 slices bacon, cooked and crumbled
1.5 cups shredded cheese blend
1/2 cup sour cream, for toppingoptional
2 green onions, sliced, for garnishoptional

6 Ingredients

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Instructions

1
Preheat your oven (Note: temp not specified, 425°F is recommended). Season frozen tater tots and place 4-5 tots in each cup of a muffin tin.
2
Bake for about 10-15 minutes, until the tots are thawed and soft.
3
Remove the tin from the oven. Use a small glass or shot glass to press down on the tots in each cup, forming a cup shape.
4
Return the tin to the oven and bake for another 10-15 minutes, or until the cups are golden brown and crispy.
5
While the cups are baking, chop your cooked bacon into small pieces.
6
Remove the tater tot cups from the oven and fill each one with shredded cheese.
7
Return to the oven for 1-2 minutes, just until the cheese is melted.
8
Carefully remove the cups from the muffin tin and place them on a serving platter or cooling rack.
9
Top with crumbled bacon, a dollop of sour cream, and sliced green onions before serving.

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Tips & Notes

Pro tips

Press tater tots firmly into greased muffin cups and bake 15 minutes before filling to ensure they hold their shape and crisp properly.
Add cheese and bacon immediately after the initial bake while the cups are still warm so the cheese melts evenly.
Top with sour cream and green onions just before serving to keep them fresh and prevent sogginess.

Substitutions

Shredded cheese blend → sharp cheddar, Gruyère, or Monterey Jack (adjust to flavor preference)
Bacon → diced ham, crispy sausage, or crumbled prosciutto (use same amount)
Sour cream → crème fraîche or Greek yogurt (similar consistency and tang)
Green onions → fresh chives or thinly sliced white onion (for garnish and mild onion flavor)

Storage & make-ahead

Store cooled tater tot cups in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days; reheat in a 350°F oven for 5 minutes before adding fresh toppings.

Equipment

muffin tin · cooking spray or butter for greasing

Common Questions

Can I make tater tot cups ahead of time?

Yes. Bake the tater tot cups up to 2 days ahead, store in an airtight container in the refrigerator, then reheat in a 350°F oven for 5 minutes before adding toppings.

How do I prevent the tater tots from sticking to the muffin tin?

Lightly grease the muffin tin with cooking spray or butter before pressing in the tater tots.

Can I use fresh potatoes instead of frozen tater tots?

Frozen tater tots are essential for this recipe; they're pre-cooked and designed to crisp quickly. Fresh potatoes would require a different preparation method.

What temperature and time do I bake tater tot cups?

Bake at 375°F for 20–25 minutes until golden and crispy, then add toppings and bake 2–3 minutes more until cheese melts.

Can I make this recipe gluten-free?

Most frozen tater tots are naturally gluten-free; check the package label. All other ingredients (bacon, cheese, sour cream, green onions) are naturally gluten-free.