These Loaded Tater Tot Cups have all the best toppings of a baked potato in a delicious tater tot appetizer! Topped with cheese, sour cream, bacon, and chives, they are ready in just 30 minutes. Gluten-free with dairy-free and vegan options.
Crispy tater tots that are baked into a cup shape and loaded with the best toppings are a party snack everyone will love. Like a loaded baked potato these tater tot appetizers will be a huge hit. Serve them at the next game day party or holiday celebration!
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Why you love this recipe
- A super easy appetizer recipe
- Simple ingredients
- Easily customize for dietary restrictions
Ingredients and substitutions
Here are a few quick notes about the ingredients in this recipe. You can see a complete list of ingredients and instructions in the recipe card below.
Frozen tater tots - Not all tater tots are gluten-free. Check the label to make the right choice for your needs. Ore-Ida brand labels their tots gluten-free whereas other brands do not have a gluten-free label but do not have gluten-containing ingredients. In these cases, there is a possibility of cross-contamination. Reach out to a brand for clarification when needed.
Shredded cheese - To keep the loaded tater tots dairy-free, I used dairy-free cheddar cheese. Choose the type of regular or plant-based cheese you prefer.
Sour cream - As with the cheese, opt for a vegan sour cream if needed. You can easily make your sour cream at home without the dairy!
Bacon bits - This recipe uses crumbled cooked bacon but this can vary depending on your needs and preferences. Store-bought bacon bits make things quick and easy. Vegan meat crumbles or vegan bacon bits work great too.
Chives or green onions - Chives add great flavor to recipes. These herbs tie everything together!
Optional toppings
Customize these crispy tater tot bites with additional favorite toppings and sauces like:
- BBQ sauce
- Buffalo sauce
- Ranch dressing or blue cheese
- Avocado chunks
Step-by-step instructions
Before you start: Preheat the oven to 425 degrees Fahrenheit. Spray a standard muffin pan with cooking spray.
Step 1: Place 5 frozen tots in each cup. Bake for 10 minutes in the preheated oven.
Step 2: Spray the bottom of a small glass (a shot glass works well) with cooking spray. Use the bottom of the glass and press potatoes down in the center of each cup to create an indention (use an oven mitt for the hot pan). Bake for 15 minutes.
Step 3: Remove from the oven and turn the broiler on high. Place the shredded cheese in each baked cup. Broil for 1-2 minutes until melted.
Step 4: Allow tater tot cups to cool for a few minutes then transfer them to a plate or serving platter. Top with sour cream, bacon pieces, and chives. Serve immediately.
Helpful tips
- Spray the bottom of a small juice glass or shot glass (or cocktail shaker lid!) with nonstick cooking spray before pressing it into the tot cups. You'll want a glass that's about 2 inches in diameter. You may need to wipe and spray the glass every so often.
- Use a knife to loosen the baked tater cups from the sides of the muffin cups before you remove them.
FAQs
Not all tater tots have gluten. Some brands include flour and some don't, while others contain seasoning that may have gluten-containing ingredients. Whether they are frozen or homemade do your due diligence before consuming.
More gluten-free appetizers
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📖 Recipe
Loaded Tater Tot Cups
Ingredients
- 2 cups (9oz, 251g) gluten-free tater tots, frozen
- 1 cup (68g) shredded cheese (vegan or regular)
- ½ cup (4oz, 109g) sour cream (vegan or regular)
- 4 slices bacon, cooked and crumbled, about 2 tablespoons, (vegan or regular) or store-bought bacon bits
- 1 tablespoon chopped fresh chives or green onions
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 425 degrees Fahrenheit. Spray a standard muffin pan with cooking spray.
- Place 5 frozen tater tots in each muffin cup. Bake for 10 minutes.
- Spray the bottom of a small glass (a shot glass works well) with cooking spray. You'll want something that's about 2-inches in diameter. Use the bottom of the glass and press down the tater tots in the center to create an indention (use an oven mitt for the hot pan). Bake for 15 minutes.
- Remove from the oven and turn the broiler on high. Distribute the shredded cheese amongst each tater tot cup. Broil for 1-2 minutes until melted.
- Allow tater tot cups to cool in the pan for 4-5 minutes then transfer them to a plate or serving platter. Top with sour cream, bacon pieces, and chives. Serve immediately.
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