Name: Tater Tot Appetizer Cups Recipe
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 25 min
Total time: 35 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 2 cup frozen tater tots; 1 cup shredded cheese; 1/2 cup cooked and crumbled bacon; 1/4 cup chopped green onions; 1/2 cup sour cream; 1/4 cup ranch dressing

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Introduction

These Tater Tot Appetizer Cups are a fun and tasty snack that’s perfect for parties or casual gatherings. Crispy tater tots form a delicious edible cup filled with melted cheese, bacon, and green onions, topped with a creamy sour cream and ranch dressing. Easy to make and utterly satisfying, they’ll be a hit with everyone.

The image shows a white rectangular plate on a white marbled surface filled with small, golden-brown baked bites in dark brown cupcake liners. Each bite has a crispy, textured base topped with a layer of shiny melted bright orange cheese, scattered bits of crispy cooked bacon, and small pieces of fresh green chives. The arrangement is close together, showing several of these cheesy, bacon-topped pieces in soft focus in the background and sharp detail in the front. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients

2 cups frozen tater tots
1 cup shredded cheese
1/2 cup cooked and crumbled bacon
1/4 cup chopped green onions
1/2 cup sour cream
1/4 cup ranch dressing

Instructions

Step 1: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
Step 2: Grease a 12-cup muffin tin with cooking spray or line it with paper liners.
Step 3: Place 2 frozen tater tots into each muffin cup, gently pressing them down to create a solid base.
Step 4: Bake for 15–20 minutes, or until the tater tots are golden brown and crispy.
Step 5: Remove the muffin tin from the oven, and using a spoon, gently press down the center of each tater tot to create a cup shape.
Step 6: Fill each cup with the shredded cheese, crumbled bacon, and chopped green onions.
Step 7: Return the muffin tin to the oven and bake for an additional 5–7 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
Step 8: Let the Tater Tot Appetizer Cups cool slightly. Top each cup with a dollop of sour cream and drizzle with ranch dressing. Serve warm.

Tips & Variations

Use different cheeses like cheddar, mozzarella, or pepper jack for varied flavors.
Substitute bacon with cooked sausage or sautéed mushrooms for a vegetarian option.
Add a pinch of smoked paprika or cayenne pepper to the cheese mixture for a spicy kick.

Storage

Store any leftover Tater Tot Appetizer Cups in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Reheat them in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for about 10 minutes to regain their crispiness. Avoid microwaving to preserve texture.

How to Serve

Small golden brown tater tot bites sit in dark brown cupcake liners arranged on a white plate, each topped with a shiny melted orange cheddar cheese layer, crispy small pieces of reddish-brown bacon, and bits of green chopped chives scattered on top. The white plate rests on a white marbled surface, and the image is close up, showing the crispy and soft texture of the bites. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I make these ahead of time?

You can assemble the tater tot cups and refrigerate them before baking, but for the best texture, bake and fill them just before serving.

Can I freeze the assembled cups?

Yes, you can freeze the baked cups before topping with sour cream and ranch. Wrap them tightly and freeze up to 1 month. Thaw in the fridge before reheating.