Description
These Loader Tater Tot Cups are a fun and delicious appetizer or snack featuring crispy baked tater tots molded into bite-sized cups filled with creamy sour cream, melted cheddar cheese, and crispy bacon pieces. Perfect for parties or game days, they deliver all the classic loaded potato flavors in a convenient, handheld form.
Ingredients
Ingredients
- 48 tater tots
- 4 oz sour cream
- ½ cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 2 tbsp bacon pieces
Instructions
- Preheat and bake tater tots: Preheat the oven to 425°F (218°C). Bake the tater tots according to package instructions, typically about 25 minutes, until golden and crispy.
- Place tater tots in muffin tin: Remove the baked tater tots from the oven and distribute two tots into each cavity of a 24-count muffin tin.
- Form cups with tater tots: Use the back of a spoon to mash down the tater tots in each muffin cup, then press with a pestle or similar tool to create a cup shape in the center, ensuring the tots hold together.
- Bake the tot cups again: Return the muffin pan to the oven and bake for an additional 5 minutes to set the shape and crisp the edges further.
- Remove and set tater tot cups upright: Carefully take the muffin pan out of the oven and gently remove the formed tater tot cups. Place them upright on a cutting board or a baking sheet.
- Fill with sour cream: Put the sour cream into a piping bag or a resealable plastic bag with a small corner cut off. Pipe a dollop of sour cream into the center of each tater tot cup.
- Add cheese and bacon: Sprinkle shredded cheddar cheese and bacon pieces evenly over the sour cream-filled cups.
- Serve hot: Serve the loaded tater tot cups immediately while warm and enjoy!
Notes
- You can substitute bacon pieces with cooked sausage or leave them out for a vegetarian option.
- Feel free to add chopped green onions or chives for extra flavor and garnish.
- Make sure the tater tot cups are cooled slightly before filling to keep their shape intact.
- If you don’t have a pestle, the back of a small glass or the handle of a wooden spoon can work to press the tots.
- This recipe works well as a party appetizer or snack and can be made ahead and reheated briefly before serving.
