Description
Loaded Totchos are a delicious and hearty appetizer featuring crispy baked tater tots loaded with melted cheddar cheese, seasoned ground beef or shredded chicken, bacon, black beans, and topped with fresh jalapeños, green onions, and savory sauces. Perfect for party snacks or game day, this gluten-free dish combines bold flavors and easy preparation.
Ingredients
Scale
Tater Tots
- 1 bag (32 ounces) frozen tater tots
- 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
Toppings
- 1 1/2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 cup cooked and crumbled ground beef or shredded chicken
- 1/2 cup cooked and crumbled bacon
- 1/2 cup black beans, drained and rinsed
- 1/2 cup diced tomatoes
- 1/4 cup sliced jalapeños
- 1/4 cup sliced green onions
Sauces and Seasonings
- 1/2 cup sour cream
- 1/2 cup guacamole
- 1/4 cup nacho cheese sauce
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C) to ensure it’s hot enough for crispy tots.
- Bake Tater Tots: Spread frozen tater tots in a single layer on a baking sheet. Drizzle lightly with vegetable oil to help crispiness. Bake for 25 to 30 minutes, turning the tots halfway through baking to cook evenly until golden brown and crispy.
- Assemble Loaded Totchos: Remove tots from the oven and transfer them to an oven-safe serving dish or skillet. Evenly sprinkle shredded cheddar cheese, cooked ground beef or chicken, crumbled bacon, and black beans over the tots.
- Melt the Cheese: Return the assembled tots to the oven and bake for an additional 5 to 7 minutes until the cheese melts completely and everything is heated through.
- Add Fresh Toppings: Remove from oven and top with diced tomatoes, sliced jalapeños, and green onions for fresh flavor and texture.
- Drizzle Sauces and Season: Drizzle sour cream, guacamole, and nacho cheese sauce over the top. Sprinkle chili powder, garlic powder, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper evenly to enhance the flavor.
- Serve: Serve immediately while the totchos are hot and crispy for the best experience.
Notes
- For a vegetarian version, omit the meat and bacon and add more beans or grilled vegetables.
- You can use pepper jack cheese instead of cheddar for extra heat.
- Add pickled onions to bring a tangy flavor contrast.
