This Loaded Tater Tots recipe cooks an easy, cheesy pan of chili-topped tater tops in minutes. Crispy tots are topped with chili, covered in cheese, baked under the broiler and served with Ranch and all your favorite game day fixings.
Loaded Tots
Our Loaded Tater Tops are so quick and easy to prepare using simple ingredients to transform a plain potato puff into a hearty, filling, meaty all-in-one meal.
Simply bake a bag of frozen tater tots in the oven, smother them with chili and melted cheese, and let your guests add their favorite flavors, like bacon, sour cream, and chives; it’s the ultimate comfort food for a football snack, crowd-pleasing party appetizer, or simple side.
Packed with lean protein and fiber from the chili and cheese plus plenty of delicious flavors, this is the easiest way to make a complete one-pan-meal because you get several food groups on your plate with each serving.
These sheet pan chili cheese tater tots taste similar to my breakfast tot casserole, but this loaded tots recipe uses last night’s leftovers, so it’s even faster to prepare.
Why We Love This Loaded Chili Cheese Tots Recipe
- Quick and easy to prepare in 10 minutes.
- Uses simple gluten-free ingredients (Most tater tots are naturally gluten-free. Make sure to check you label if you have dietary restrictions).
- No need to thaw the tater tots before baking; they cook soft on the inside and crispy on the outside.
- Literally loaded with flavor from a combination of comfort foods.
- Perfect for game day, tailgates, party appetizers, or serving as a side dish.
Ingredients
- Frozen tater tots
- Chili: Feel free to use homemade chili or canned chili.
- Shredded cheddar cheese
- Ranch dressing
- Pickled jalapeños
- Scallions or green onions
Substitutions and Additions
- Choose Your Chili: I used leftover chili to top my tots, but canned chili also works great in this recipe. Some of my favorite chili recipes include my Turkey Chili, Slow Cooker Chili, and Crack Chicken Chili.
- Replace The Ranch: You can replace the Ranch dressing with drizzles of ketchup, some sour cream, a drizzle of hot sauce, or even some salsa.
- Mix Up The Meat: Instead of spreading chili over the tater tots, you can use ground sausage, bacon, ham, chicken sausage, or turkey bacon.
- Change The Cheese: Feel free to swap the sharp Cheddar cheese for another type of cheese that melts well such as Colby Jack, Mozzarella, Gruyere, Swiss, Pepper Jack, Fontina, or Gouda.
Recommended Tools
- Sheet pan
- Parchment paper
How to Make Loaded Tater Tots
- Cook The Tater Tots: Follow the package directions to cook the tater tots.
- Assemble: Spread the tater tots on a sheet pan and top with heated chili and cheese.
- Broil: Broil the loaded tots until the cheese is melted.
- Serve: Drizzle with ranch and a sprinkle of jalapeños and scallions. Serve and enjoy!
Tater Tots In The Air Fryer
If you want to make your loaded tots in the air fryer, you will need to cut the recipe in half or work in batches. Simply cook your tater tots at 400°F for 15 minutes. Then top your tots with chili and cheese and cook it all in the air fryer basket until the cheese is melted, about 2-3 minutes. Add your favorite fixings and serve.
Make Tater Tot Tachos
“Make your own totchos” bar by serving a sheet pan of crispy tots with bowls of toppings on the side. Let everyone fill their plate with all their favorite fixings to create their own custom loaded tachos. Mix and match with nacho cheese sauce, guacamole, black beans, olives, red onion, pico de gallo, bacon bits, chopped tomato, or any taco topping.
Tip From Our Recipe Developer
- You can use leftover chili from last night’s dinner or even canned chili for this recipe.
- Serve this dish immediately so the tots don’t become soggy.
Storage
- To Store: I do not recommend storing leftovers because the tater tots will be very soggy the next day.
More Easy Sheet Pan Recipes
Other Easy Appetizer Recipes
Loaded Tater Tots
Ingredients
- 32 ounces tater tots
- 1 cup chili
- 1½ cups cheddar cheese
- ¼ cup ranch dressing
- ¼ cup pickled jalapenos
- 2 scallions sliced
Instructions
- Cook your tater tots according to the direction on the package.
- Evenly spread the tater tots on your sheet pan.
- Warm your chili in the microwave.
- Spread the chili and cheese over the tots.
- Place the sheet pan under your broiler until the cheese is melted.
- Drizzle the ranch over the tater tots and sprinkle on the jalapenos and scallions.
Jenn’s Notes
- To Store: I do not recommend storing leftovers because the tater tots will be very soggy the next day.
- You can use leftover chili from last night’s dinner or even canned chili for this recipe.
- Serve this dish immediately so the tots don’t become soggy.
