Fitness / March 22, 2024

Loaded Tater Tots Recipe

Enjoy these crispy, savory Loaded Tater Tots for Game Day (or any day!) with a healthy spin

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Tater tots have certainly come a long way since school lunches. We have made Sweet Potato Tater Tots and Cauliflower Tater Tots to make tots a bit healthier, but now we have flavorful, simple Loaded Tater Tots. And they are soooo good!

These shredded, cylinder-shaped, fried potatoes were invented in the 1950s when people at Ore-Ida Frozen Foods needed a use for the leftover scraps from french fries. Enter, the tater tot. Now, the origins of loaded tots specifically are unclear, but around the same time that tots were invented, cheese fries were becoming a hit all across the States. It’s no surprise that these two got together to bring us a dish we all know and love.

You are going to love these loaded tots simply because they are a great copycat of restaurant-style loaded tater tots but with several healthy substitutions. They have melted cheese, crispy bacon, and creamy, cool sour cream-like topping smothering classic tots.

This recipe is also ridiculously simple and is baked in one pan. I’m a fan of anything made in one pan because you can pop it in and do other things for a bit. Also, fewer dishes, especially since you serve the loaded tots in the same pan you cooked them in.

Are Loaded Tater Tots Healthy?

Traditionally, loaded tater tots are not healthy. However, in this version, we make a deeply conscious effort to use healthier substitutions without compromising flavor.

Instead of sour cream, we will be using Greek yogurt. Honestly, I feel like they taste the same, but Greek yogurt has less lactose, fewer calories, and more protein. Feel free to use whatever bacon you prefer, but turkey bacon does have fewer calories. Finally, using low-fat shredded cheddar is way healthier than cheeze-whiz or whatever they use in some restaurants.

To make this recipe vegetarian friendly, simply omit the bacon and enjoy!

Make your Own Ranch Seasoning

When it comes to recipes, I often talk about how much healthier dishes are when they are made at home. The same goes for this homemade, tangy ranch seasoning. Last Halloween I made a ranch chicken dish in the crockpot, hoping for a warm, healthy meal once we got back from trick-or-treating with the kids. My husband felt bad saying anything negative about this new ranch chicken dish I made, so he waited for me to try it. Wow. I like salt, but this dish came out like a salt lick, on a salt bagel, served with a side of salt. Since then I have been making my ranch seasoning myself to save us from a ridiculous sodium overload.

Premade mixes are totally convenient but usually lack nutritional value and are packed with sodium. Do yourself a favor and make this ranch seasoning for your loaded tater tots and anything else you may need ranch for.

INGREDIENTS

Nonstick cooking spray
32 ounces of frozen tater tots
1 cup Greek yogurt you can also use sour cream
¼ cup ranch seasoning mix (store bought works) but easy to make at home, blending dried parsley, dill, garlic powder, onion powder, dried onion flakes, dried chives, salt, and pepper
1 ½ cups shredded cheddar cheese low-fat preferred
4 slices pork or turkey bacon cooked until crisp and chopped
2 green onions thinly sliced
Optional: Fresh chives or parsley for garnish

INSTRUCTIONS

Prep and Bake

Get your oven hot and ready, and lay out those tater tots on a greased sheet. Bake ’em till they’re irresistibly crispy.

Mix It Up

While the tots are doing their thing, whip up a healthier ranch blend with Greek yogurt and herbs.

Cheese Please

Shower your golden tots with cheese and broil to melty perfection.

Top It Off

Drizzle with your tangy homemade sauce, sprinkle with turkey bacon and green onions for a lighter take on this classic comfort food.

Garnish and Serve

Add a sprinkle of fresh herbs if you like, then serve up these loaded delights hot and fresh!

Devour!

FAQs & Tips

How to Make Ahead and Store?

Store loaded tater tots in an air-tight container in the fridge for up to three days. To reheat, pop them in the oven at 350 for 10-15 minutes.

Can I use an air Fryer?

You can make the tater tots in the air fryer, then transfer to a baking sheet, top with cheese, and broil in the oven until the cheese is melted.

What type of Pan should be used?

A simple baking sheet, with parchment paper or just sprayed will work great. However, I like to use a nicer glass or ceramic oven-safe dish so I can serve them straight from the oven. You can always prepare the tots however you like (bake, fry, air-fry), then transfer them to a different dish.

What Other Toppings Can I Use?

Feel free to use any different type of cheese you have on hand. Make them more like loaded nachos with pepper jack, black beans, jalapeños, and fresh avocados. You can also serve these for breakfast or brunch (potatoes, bacon, cheese… all there!) and top with fried or over-easy eggs.

Are Loaded Tater Tots Gluten Free?

Potatoes are gluten-free and tater tots generally are. Pay close attention to the labels when purchasing your tots to make sure they are suitable for a GF diet.

Serving Suggestions

These loaded tater tots are awesome because they can easily be the star of the show, served as a side or an appetizer.

I would serve these loaded tots as the main alongside a crisp healthy salad to balance out the meal. Try this quick and yummy Healthy Taco Salad or this nutritious Kale Salad with Cranberries.

If your loaded tots are acting as a side dish or appetizer, they would be great with a mouthwatering veggie burger like our Black Bean Burger or Sweet Potato Burger. Make Sunday Funday complete with the BEST loaded tater tots along with Air-Fryer Fried Pickles

Loaded Tater Tots Recipe

Enjoy these crispy, savory Loaded Tater Tots for Game Day (or any day!) with a healthy spin

Course Appetizer

Cuisine American

Prep Time 20

Cook Time 30

Total Time 50

Servings

Calories 290kcal

Author FoodFaithFitness

Ingredients

Nonstick cooking spray
32 ounces of frozen tater tots
1 cup Greek yogurt you can also use sour cream
¼ cup ranch seasoning mix store bought works but easy to make at home, blending dried parsley, dill, garlic powder, onion powder, dried onion flakes, dried chives, salt, and pepper
1 ½ cups shredded cheddar cheese low-fat preferred
4 slices pork or turkey bacon cooked until crisp and chopped
2 green onions thinly sliced
Optional: Fresh chives or parsley for garnish

Instructions

Preheat your oven to the temperature specified on the tater tot package. Line a baking sheet with aluminum foil and spray it with nonstick cooking spray.
Spread the tater tots in a single layer on the baking sheet. Bake them according to the package instructions until they are golden brown and crispy.
While the tater tots are baking, mix 1 cup of Greek yogurt with your ranch seasoning mix in a small bowl.
Once the tater tots are done, remove them from the oven and switch the oven to broil. Sprinkle the cheddar cheese over the tater tots. Broil for 3 to 4 minutes, or until the cheese is melted. Keep a close eye on them to avoid burning.
Take the tater tots out of the oven. Drizzle the Greek yogurt ranch mixture over the cheesy tots, then scatter the chopped turkey bacon and green onions on top.
If desired, garnish with additional fresh chives or parsley for a pop of color and freshness.
Serve immediately while hot. DEVOUR!