Remember those Friday night hangouts, sprawled on the couch with friends, debating which movie to watch and always ending up with a mountain of shared snacks? For us, that almost always included a plate piled high with something cheesy and delicious – and more often than not, that was the beginning of my love affair with Loaded Tater Tot Nachos. Now, I’m going to show you how to make the ultimate version, guaranteed to be a crowd-pleaser and surprisingly simple to throw together.
The Ultimate Guide to Loaded Tater Tot Nachos
Okay, friend, let’s be real: there are nachos, and then there are *nachos*. And these aren’t just any nachos; we’re talking about crispy, golden tater tots loaded with all the good stuff. Think of it as the ultimate comfort food mashup. I’m going to walk you through every step, from choosing the perfect tots to layering on the most flavorful toppings. Get ready for a flavor explosion!
Why Tater Tot Nachos?
Why *not* tater tot nachos? Seriously! They’re:
- Fun: Who doesn’t love tater tots?
- Versatile: You can customize the toppings to your heart’s content.
- Easy: Minimal prep work, maximum flavor.
- Crowd-Pleasing: Perfect for parties, game nights, or a casual weeknight dinner.
- Totally Delicious: Crispy, cheesy, and packed with flavor. Enough said.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Here’s what you’ll need to create your own masterpiece of Loaded Tater Tot Nachos. Don’t be afraid to get creative and swap things out based on your preferences!
- Tater Tots: One large bag (about 30 ounces). Frozen is perfect! We’ll talk about cooking methods in a bit.
- Ground Beef (or Protein of Choice): One pound. You can also use ground turkey, shredded chicken, or even plant-based crumbles.
- Taco Seasoning: One packet, or your favorite homemade blend.
- Shredded Cheese: A generous amount! Cheddar, Monterey Jack, Pepper Jack, or a blend are all great options.
- Black Beans: One can (15 ounces), rinsed and drained.
- Corn: One can (15 ounces), drained, or frozen corn.
- Diced Tomatoes: One can (14.5 ounces), drained.
- Green Onions: Chopped, for garnish.
- Jalapeños: Sliced (fresh or pickled), for extra heat.
- Sour Cream (or Greek Yogurt): For topping.
- Guacamole (or Avocado): For topping.
- Salsa: Your favorite kind, for topping.
- Optional Toppings: Anything your heart desires! Think olives, bell peppers, cilantro, queso, or even bacon bits.
Getting Started: Cooking the Tater Tots
The foundation of our Loaded Tater Tot Nachos is, of course, the tater tots. How you cook them is key to achieving that perfect crispy texture. Here are a few options:
Oven-Baked
This is the classic method and works great for a large batch. Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C). Spread the tater tots in a single layer on a baking sheet. Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until golden brown and crispy, flipping halfway through. This ensures even cooking. I find that lining the baking sheet with parchment paper helps with cleanup and prevents sticking.
Air Fryer
My personal favorite! The air fryer cooks the tater tots quickly and evenly, resulting in extra-crispy perfection. Preheat your air fryer to 400°F (200°C). Place the tater tots in the air fryer basket in a single layer (you may need to cook them in batches). Cook for 10-12 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through. Keep a close eye on them, as air fryers can vary.
Deep-Fried
If you’re feeling indulgent, deep-frying is the way to go! Heat oil (vegetable or canola) to 350°F (175°C) in a deep fryer or large pot. Carefully add the tater tots in batches and cook for 2-3 minutes, or until golden brown and crispy. Remove with a slotted spoon and drain on a paper towel-lined plate. Keep in mind that this method is higher in fat.
Prepping the Toppings
While the tater tots are cooking, let’s get the toppings ready. This is where you can really customize your Loaded Tater Tot Nachos to your liking.
Cooking the Ground Beef
In a large skillet, brown the ground beef over medium heat. Drain off any excess grease. Stir in the taco seasoning and a little water (usually about 1/4 cup, but follow the instructions on your taco seasoning packet). Simmer for a few minutes, allowing the flavors to meld. If you’re using a different protein, adjust the cooking time accordingly. For shredded chicken, simply toss it with taco seasoning.
Preparing the Other Toppings
While the ground beef simmers, rinse and drain the black beans and corn (if using canned). Dice the tomatoes (if using fresh, otherwise just drain the canned tomatoes). Chop the green onions and jalapeños. If you’re making guacamole, now’s the time to whip it up! A little tip: adding a squeeze of lime juice to your guacamole will help prevent it from browning.
Assembling the Loaded Tater Tot Nachos
Alright, the moment we’ve been waiting for! It’s time to assemble our masterpiece.
Layering is Key
Choose a large oven-safe platter or baking sheet. Arrange the cooked tater tots in a single layer. This is important so that every tot gets its fair share of toppings. Next, sprinkle the cooked ground beef evenly over the tater tots. Then, add the black beans, corn, and diced tomatoes. Finally, generously sprinkle the shredded cheese over everything.
Melting the Cheese
Place the platter in a preheated oven (350°F/175°C) for 5-10 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly. You can also use the broiler for a minute or two, but keep a close eye on it to prevent burning. Alternatively, if you have a microwave-safe platter, you can microwave it in short intervals until the cheese is melted.
Adding the Finishing Touches
Remove the platter from the oven and let it cool slightly. Now it’s time to add the finishing touches! Dollop with sour cream (or Greek yogurt), guacamole, and salsa. Sprinkle with chopped green onions and jalapeños. And that’s it! Your Loaded Tater Tot Nachos are ready to be devoured.
Tips and Tricks for the Best Tater Tot Nachos
Here are a few extra tips and tricks to help you create the ultimate Loaded Tater Tot Nachos:
- Don’t Overcrowd the Pan: When baking or air frying the tater tots, make sure to spread them in a single layer. Overcrowding will result in soggy tots.
- Use a Cheese Blend: Combining different types of cheese adds depth of flavor. Try a mix of cheddar, Monterey Jack, and Pepper Jack.
- Warm the Toppings: If you’re using cold toppings, like black beans or corn, warming them up slightly before adding them to the nachos will help keep everything warm.
- Add a Spicy Kick: If you like things spicy, add a pinch of cayenne pepper to the taco seasoning or use a spicier salsa.
- Get Creative with Toppings: Don’t be afraid to experiment with different toppings! Try adding olives, bell peppers, cilantro, or even a drizzle of Cowboy Queso.
- Make it Vegetarian: Substitute the ground beef with plant-based crumbles or simply use extra black beans and corn.
- Serve Immediately: Loaded Tater Tot Nachos are best served immediately, while the tater tots are still crispy and the cheese is melted.
Variations to Try
The beauty of Loaded Tater Tot Nachos is that they’re incredibly versatile. Here are a few variations to inspire you:
- BBQ Chicken Tater Tot Nachos: Use shredded BBQ chicken instead of ground beef, and top with BBQ sauce, red onion, and cilantro.
- Buffalo Chicken Tater Tot Nachos: Use shredded buffalo chicken instead of ground beef, and top with blue cheese crumbles, celery, and ranch dressing.
- Pizza Tater Tot Nachos: Top the tater tots with pizza sauce, mozzarella cheese, pepperoni, and your favorite pizza toppings. You could also look into making Pizza Tot Casserole!
- Chili Cheese Tater Tot Nachos: Top the tater tots with chili, cheddar cheese, and sour cream. If you are craving a larger meal, consider trying my Chili Cheese Tater Tot Casserole!
- Philly Cheesesteak Tater Tot Nachos: Top the tater tots with thinly sliced steak, sautéed onions and peppers, and provolone cheese. For a deconstructed version of this meal, try making my Philly Cheesesteak Bowls.
- Taco Tater Tot Nachos: Follow the recipe as written, but add a dollop of guacamole and some crumbled tortilla chips for extra crunch. If you love tacos, you might also enjoy my easy Taco Casserole.
- Chicken Bacon Ranch Tater Tot Nachos: This variation combines crispy tater tots with juicy chicken, smoky bacon, and creamy ranch dressing. You can easily make this a casserole by trying my Chicken Bacon Ranch Tater Tot Casserole!
Serving Suggestions
Loaded Tater Tot Nachos are a complete meal on their own, but they also pair well with a variety of sides. Here are a few suggestions:
- Coleslaw: The cool, creamy coleslaw provides a nice contrast to the richness of the nachos.
- Corn on the Cob: A classic summer side that’s always a crowd-pleaser.
- Side Salad: A simple green salad with a light vinaigrette will help balance out the meal.
- Chili: If you’re making chili cheese tater tot nachos, serve a bowl of chili on the side.
Storage and Reheating
While Loaded Tater Tot Nachos are best served immediately, you can store leftovers in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Keep in mind that the tater tots will lose some of their crispness. To reheat, spread the nachos on a baking sheet and bake at 350°F (175°C) until heated through. You can also reheat them in the microwave, but they will be softer.
Final Thoughts
So there you have it! The ultimate guide to making Loaded Tater Tot Nachos. I hope this recipe has inspired you to get creative in the kitchen and create your own delicious version. Remember, the most important ingredient is love (and lots of cheese!). Enjoy!
What are some protein alternatives to ground beef for these tater tot nachos?
Besides ground beef, you can use ground turkey, shredded chicken, or even plant-based crumbles as a protein option.
What are the best ways to cook the tater tots to ensure they are crispy?
The article suggests oven-baking, air frying, or deep-frying. Air frying is the author’s favorite. Ensure you don’t overcrowd the pan for any method.
Can I prepare the toppings ahead of time?
Yes, you can prepare the toppings while the tater tots are cooking. This includes browning the ground beef, rinsing and draining beans and corn, and chopping vegetables.
How should I store leftover tater tot nachos?
Leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 2 days, but the tater tots will lose some crispness. Reheat on a baking sheet in the oven or in the microwave.
Best Loaded Tater Tot Nachos
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Preheat oven to 425°F (220°C) or air fryer to 400°F (200°C). Alternatively, heat oil to 350°F (175°C) for deep frying.
- Prepare tater tots according to chosen method: Oven-bake for 20-25 minutes, air fry for 10-12 minutes, or deep fry for 2-3 minutes, until golden brown and crispy.
- While tater tots are cooking, brown ground beef in a large skillet over medium heat. Drain off any excess grease.
- Stir in taco seasoning and water. Simmer for a few minutes.
- Rinse and drain black beans and corn. Dice tomatoes if using fresh.
- Arrange cooked tater tots in a single layer on a large oven-safe platter or baking sheet.
- Sprinkle cooked ground beef evenly over the tater tots.
- Add black beans, corn, and diced tomatoes.
- Generously sprinkle shredded cheese over everything.
- Place the platter in a preheated oven (350°F/175°C) for 5-10 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly. Alternatively, use the broiler for a minute or two or microwave in short intervals until cheese is melted.
- Remove from oven and let cool slightly.
- Dollop with sour cream, guacamole, and salsa.
- Sprinkle with chopped green onions and jalapeños.
- Serve immediately.
