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Crispy Loaded Tater Tot Nachos with Creamy Cheese Sauce

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These loaded tater tot nachos feature crispy oven-baked tots smothered in a homemade creamy cheese sauce and topped with bacon, jalapeños, tomatoes, and more. Perfect for game day, parties, or a fun family snack.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 pounds frozen tater tots
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil (or spray for crisping)
  • Salt and pepper, to taste
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
  • 1 cup whole milk (or half-and-half for extra richness)
  • 1 1/2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese
  • 1/2 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese
  • 1/4 teaspoon smoked paprika (optional)
  • 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
  • Salt, to taste
  • 4 slices bacon, cooked and crumbled (or turkey bacon)
  • 1/2 cup sour cream
  • 1/2 cup diced tomatoes (Roma or grape tomatoes)
  • 1/4 cup sliced jalapeños (fresh or pickled)
  • 1/4 cup chopped green onions
  • 2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro (optional)
  • 1/2 cup sliced black olives (optional)
  • Optional: 1 cup cooked seasoned ground beef or shredded chicken
  • Optional: 1/2 cup roasted corn
  • Optional: Hot sauce, to taste

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 425°F (220°C). Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper.
  2. Spread frozen tater tots evenly on the baking sheet. Drizzle or spray with olive oil and sprinkle with salt and pepper.
  3. Bake for 25-30 minutes, flipping halfway through, until golden brown and crispy.
  4. While tots bake, melt butter in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Whisk in flour and cook for 1 minute until bubbling.
  5. Slowly add milk, whisking constantly until smooth.
  6. Reduce heat to low and add cheddar and Monterey Jack cheeses. Stir until melted and silky.
  7. Add smoked paprika and garlic powder. Salt to taste. If sauce is too thick, add more milk, 1 tablespoon at a time.
  8. Chop bacon, tomatoes, jalapeños, green onions, cilantro, and olives. Prep toppings in small bowls.
  9. Once tots are crisp, transfer to an oven-safe platter or keep on baking sheet. Pour cheese sauce over immediately.
  10. Sprinkle crumbled bacon, tomatoes, jalapeños, green onions, cilantro, and olives over the cheesy tots. Dollop with sour cream. Add optional ground beef, chicken, or corn if using.
  11. Serve hot, straight from the pan. For extra crunch, broil assembled nachos for 1-2 minutes, watching closely.

Notes

For gluten-free, use a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend in the cheese sauce and ensure tater tots are certified gluten-free. For vegetarian, skip bacon and add black beans or mushrooms. Prep toppings while tots bake for efficiency. Broil nachos briefly for extra crunch. Cheese sauce can be made ahead and reheated with a splash of milk.

Nutrition

Keywords: tater tot nachos, loaded nachos, cheese sauce, game day snack, party food, comfort food, easy appetizer, oven baked, crispy tots

Find it online: https://chrisfeasts.com/crispy-loaded-tater-tot-nachos-recipe-ultimate-cheese-sauce-snack/