Loaded Tater Tots on Shareable Skewers

Dig into these loaded tater tots, served food-on-a-stick style! This fun, casual tater tot appetizer is inspired by loaded baked potatoes and "totchos" and comes with plenty of serving options to be an instant crowd-pleaser.

Course Appetizer

Cuisine American

Keyword Loaded Tater Tots, Loaded Tots, Tater Tot Appetizer, Tater Tot Skewers

Prep Time 15

Cook Time 25

Total Time 40

Servings skewers

Calories 156kcal

Author Cara Harbstreet

Equipment

appetizer skewers
large sheet pan or air fryer
parchment paper

Ingredients

64 tater tots frozen
8 slices bacon
1 cup shredded cheese cheddar, Colby jack, pepper jack, mozzarella, or combination
1 green onion thinly sliced, or about 3 tbsp chopped chives
3/4 cup sour cream
3 tbsp mayonnaise
1 tbsp ranch seasoning
1/4 tsp All-Purpose MSG Seasoning

Instructions

Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F. Mix the sour cream, mayo, and ranch seasoning in a small bowl. Adjust flavor if needed with All-Purpose MSG Seasoning or salt and pepper. Set in the fridge until ready to serve.
Spread the frozen tater tots in a single layer, leaving some room between each one so they get crispy instead of soggy. Bake for 20-25 minutes, or according to package instructions. Flip halfway through so they have a chance to brown more evenly.
In the meantime, cook the bacon on the stovetop until crispy. Once cooked, place on a paper towel-lined plate to absorb excess grease. Once cooled, roughly chop into small pieces to use as a topping.
Once the tater tots are cooked, let them cool for a couple of minutes so you can handle them. Poke one of the small skewers through the center of the tots, allowing four tots per skewer. Spin them so they face the same direction and lie flat. Return them to the baking sheet, placing them close enough that they line up and nearly touch.
Add a layer of shredded cheese over the top. You can add the chopped bacon now if you prefer it to get extra crispy, or add later. Place the baking sheet back in the oven and broil on HIGH for 2-3 minutes or until the cheese is melted.
Take the baking sheet out of the oven and transfer the loaded tater tot skewers to your serving platter. Top with the green onions or chives, add the sour cream dip, and serve while they're still hot!

Air Fryer Instructions (Basket-Style)

Preheat the basket at 400 degrees F for 2-3 minutes. Prep the sour cream dip using the same method listed in Step 1 above.
Add the frozen tater tots and cook for 5 minutes at 400 degrees F. Pause to shake the basket, then cook for another 5 minutes. Once they look evenly crispy and browned, let them cool for a few minutes as you prep the toppings.
Build the skewers then place them back in the basket. Add the shredded cheese and bacon, then cook for one minute. Pull them out and quickly plate them, sprinkling with the other toppings so they will stick to the melted cheese.

Notes

As written, this recipe yields 16 skewers which can serve about 8 people (assuming 2 skewers per person). Adjust as needed based on how many you plan to serve, using four tater tots per skewer.

Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3-4 days. Reheat in the microwave, oven, or air fryer to return tater tots to their original crispy texture and melt the cheese.

Nutrition