Cheesy Tater Tots Recipe

If you like snack foods that are filling and packed with delicious ingredients, then you'll love this cheesy tater tots recipe by private practice registered dietician Kristen Carli of Camelback Nutrition & Wellness. Carli knows all about balance when it comes to enjoying a variety of food. This tasty recipe might not be an everyday meal, but it still fits into a healthy lifestyle. Sometimes, a tray of cheesy potato goodness is exactly what you need! Carli remarks, "I'm a big fan of loaded baked potatoes, so I took inspiration from that."

This recipe will definitely feed a crowd, so if you plan to eat this alone, simply adapt the measurements, because it's best enjoyed straight out of the oven. If you need a stress-free idea to whip up for guests or a house filled with kids, Carli confirms, "This recipe is pretty easy!" It's also simple to modify if you want to switch up the toppings. For a fun snack that can easily double as a meal, you'll want to try out this cheesy tater tots recipe ASAP.

Start off by collecting the ingredients needed for this recipe. You'll need a 32-ounce bag of frozen tater tots for the starchy component. (You should be able to find them easily in the frozen aisle of most supermarkets.) Next, you'll need a generous amount of shredded cheddar cheese. To minimize the prep time, buy it already shredded, otherwise you can do it yourself in a few extra minutes. Once you've got the cheesy potato part, you'll want to add some extra toppings for flavor. Carli opts for bacon bits for a salty smoky touch, as well as some sliced green onions for a sharp herbal flavor. Finally, you'll want to dollop on some sour cream or plain unsweetened Greek yogurt for a rich and creamy textural element.

First of all, preheat the oven to 425 F so that it's hot when it's time to bake the tater tots. Next, spray a baking sheet with some nonstick cooking spray to make it easier to serve the gooey cheesy tots. Once the tray is ready, spread the frozen tots across the surface 一 Carli notes that there's no need to thaw them. When the oven has heated to temperature, transfer the baking sheet to the rack, and cook the tater tots for 25 minutes.

When the oven timer goes off, carefully remove the baking sheet from the rack, and transfer it to a suitable work surface. Cover the tater tots with 2 cups of shredded cheddar cheese, making sure to spread it out evenly. It might look like a lot of cheese, but as it melts, it will distribute itself across the tater tots such that each one becomes perfectly cheesy.

Now, transfer the baking sheet with the tater tots and shredded cheese back into the oven rack. Set the timer for 10 minutes to bake the potatoes further while the cheese melts on top of them. Make sure that the cheese melts completely before removing the tray from the oven. If you like a bit of browning on your cheese, then leave the baking sheet in slightly longer.

Once you remove the tray from the oven, it's time to add the toppings. Sprinkle on the bacon bits and the sliced green onion first. Then, dollop on some sour cream or plain Greek yogurt before finishing it off with the remaining ½ cup of shredded cheese. It's time to dig into these delightfully messy cheesy tater tots! You won't have a hard time finding opportunities to serve this, and Carli remarks, "I love this dish as a football party crowd-pleaser!" 

You'll want to gather up a group to devour this meal because Carli notes, "Unfortunately, these leftovers do not keep well." Otherwise, just make sure to adjust the measurements so you can enjoy these cheesy tater tots at their freshest.