Name: Quick & Easy Loaded Tater Tots
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 3 min
Total time: 23 min
Ingredients: 1 recipe air fryer tater tots (swap Cajun seasoning for ranch seasoning if desired); 1 cup leftover taco-seasoned ground beef (warmed); 1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese; ¼ cup sliced green onions; ¼ cup sliced jalapeños (fresh or pickled); ½ cup prepared salsa or pico de gallo; ½ cup sour cream; 2-3 tablespoons heavy cream (used to thin to drizzle consistency); Pinch of salt

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Recipe Snapshot

PREP + COOK TIME: under 25 minutes
METHOD: Air Fryer + Oven
OTHER TOOLS: sheet pan, parchment paper
TOTAL INGREDIENTS: 9

Loaded tater tots won’t stay on the pan long! This quick and easy recipe includes a layer of toasty-warm tots covered in melted cheddar cheese and plenty of nacho-style toppings. Add everything to a sheet pan in the oven and broil for extra crispiness!

What’s To Love About This Recipe

These loaded tots are sure to be devoured! The crispy toasted tots, slathered in taco beef, melted cheese, and fresh nacho toppings, will be a family favorite for gamedays, parties, and more.
Loaded tots are easy to assemble with basically anything you are craving! The warmed tots serve as the base, and you can customize the layers with your favorite additions.
It’s simple to make a crowd-pleasing batch (or two!) of loaded tots using a sheet pan and the oven. Simply layer the warmed ingredients, then place the pan in the oven for a few minutes to melt the cheese or crisp everything under the broiler.
Loaded tater tots (also nicknamed “tot-chos”) can be served for practically any meal! Make them breakfast-style with bacon bits and green onions, or add extra condiments for a warmed appetizer. Serve as a side to burgers and brats, or make it the main meal with extra protein layered on top.
If you’re lucky enough to have leftovers, the tots are easy to reheat in the air fryer or oven to enjoy every last bite!

Ingredients Needed

Air fryer tater tots – Use this recipe to make the crispiest golden tots from your choice of frozen taters. I added a bit of homemade Cajun seasoning for a smoky element, but you can swap for ranch seasoning if you like. Once these are warmed in the air fryer, you’re ready to load them up!
Leftover taco-seasoned ground beef – Save a portion of ground beef in the fridge or freezer from taco night. Simply warm up the cooked and seasoned meat in the microwave or in a skillet to top off the crispy tots.
Shredded sharp cheddar cheese – Sharp cheddar cheese brings bold flavor and a true nacho-style melty finish.
Sliced green onions – Green onions bring a fresh burst of flavor to the toppings.
Sliced jalapeños (fresh or pickled) – Ready for a zingy twist? Add sliced jalapeños for a bit of heat and zest!
Prepared salsa or pico de gallo – Top it off with a fresh salsa or pico to bring the taco-nacho flavors together.
Sour cream drizzle – This creamy drizzle makes these tots top-notch! Combine sour cream with a bit of heavy cream to create a drizzle consistency, then add a pinch of salt. Drizzle the mixture over the loaded tater tots to add a cool and tangy element to every bite.

ingredients including large white bowl of tater tots surrounded by small bowls of taco-seasoned ground beef, shredded cheddar cheese, sour cream, salsa, green onion, sliced jalapeno peppers, salt and heavy cream

How To Make Loaded Tater Tots

Place the tots (previously warmed in the air fryer) on a baking tray or in an oven-safe skillet. Top them generously with warmed taco beef and shredded cheddar.

sheet pan containing tater tots with 2 small white bowls of ground beef and cheddar cheese

large sheet pain containing tater tots covered by ground beef and cheddar cheese, with 2 small bowls of ground beef and cheddar cheese

If desired, place the pan under the broiler for 1-2 minutes to melt the cheese.
Sprinkle the tots with green onions, jalapeños, and spoonfuls of salsa or pico.

overhead view of sheet pain with baked tater tots with ground beef, cheddar cheese, green onions and jalapeno, with four small bowls with cheese, green onions, ground beef and jalapeno

overhead view of completed tater tots on sheet pan with bowls of cheddar cheese, green onions, jalapeno, salsa and ground beef

In a small bowl, whisk together the sour cream and heavy cream until smooth, and add a pinch of salt. Drizzle the cream over the loaded tots.

white bowl containing sour cream mixture

overhead view of completed tater tots on sheet pan drizzled with sour cream mixture, with bowls of cheddar cheese, green onions, jalapeno, salsa, ground beef and sour cream mixture

Serve immediately and enjoy while hot and crispy!

Pro Tips

For best melting results, shred your own sharp cheddar from the block.
To get the tots super crispy, add an extra spray of avocado oil or olive oil when preparing them in the air fryer.
To prevent tots from sticking to a sheet pan, line it first with aluminum foil or parchment paper. This makes cleanup simple, too!
Be sure to use previously warmed tots and warmed taco meat to allow all ingredients in the pan to reach an even temperature when the cheese melts in the oven.

Recipe Substitutions and Variations

Instead of tater tots, use other spud-based options, such as prewarmed Crispy Air Fryer Potato Wedges or Crispy Frozen French Fries In The Air Fryer.
Change up the toppings for the best “totchos” around! Or, get creative with topping combinations and serve a few options. Start with these topping ideas:
- Vary the cheeses with Monterey Jack, pepper Jack, crumbled cotija cheese, or a drizzle of Queso Blanco Dip
- Add proteins such as crumbled bacon, leftover Pulled Pork, or shredded chicken
- Drizzle sauces that complement the flavor profile, such as BBQ sauce, buffalo sauce, ranch dressing, or sriracha hot sauce.

How To Serve Loaded Tater Tots

A sheet pan of loaded tots isn’t limited to the time of day! This yummy spread could work as a brunch option, snack, appetizer, or a one-pan main meal to use up leftovers.

Serve with other party-perfect appetizers like Easy Air Fryer Chicken Wings and Air Fryer Jalapeño Poppers. Add extra sauces for dipping or to drizzle over for variety. Easy Dairy Free Ranch and Sriracha Mayo are always a hit!

half-full sheet pan of tater tots with white spatula holding tater tots surrounded by bowls of cheese, green onion, salsa, and jalapeno

Storing and Reheating

How To Best Store Leftovers

Fridge

Store leftover tots in a sealed container in the fridge for up to 2 days. If possible, store leftovers with the toppings separated to prevent sogginess and preserve freshness.

How To Best Reheat Leftovers

Reheat leftovers by adding them to the oven under the broiler for 2-3 minutes, or microwave separated toppings as needed. You can also reheat a serving of tots in the air fryer for a few minutes on a layer of parchment paper.

Quick & Easy Loaded Tater Tots

Jennifer Draper

Prep Time 20

Cook Time 3

Total Time 23

Serving Size

Equipment

Sheet pan

Ingredients

1 recipe air fryer tater tots swap Cajun seasoning for ranch seasoning if desired
1 cup leftover taco-seasoned ground beef warmed
1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
¼ cup sliced green onions
¼ cup sliced jalapeños fresh or pickled
½ cup prepared salsa or pico de gallo

For Sour Cream Drizzle:

½ cup sour cream
2-3 tablespoons heavy cream used to thin to drizzle consistency
Pinch of salt

Get Recipe Ingredients

Instructions

Place the tots (previously warmed in the air fryer) on a baking tray or in oven-safe skillet and top generously with warmed taco beef and shredded cheddar
If desired, place pan under the broiler for 1-2 minutes to melt cheese
Sprinkle tots with green onions, jalapeños, and spoonfuls of salsa or pico
In a small bowl, whisk together sour cream and heavy cream until smooth, and add pinch of salt, then drizzle the cream over loaded tots
Serve immediately and enjoy while hot and crispy

Notes

Store leftover tots in a sealed container in the fridge for up to 2 days. If possible, store extra toppings separately to avoid sogginess.
Reheat in the oven under the broiler for 2-3 minutes, or microwave individual toppings to add to preheated tots as needed. Or, reheat in the air fryer for a few minutes on a layer of parchment paper.
Shred your own sharp cheddar cheese from the block for effortless melting.
Line sheet pans with foil or parchment to prevent sticking and keep the cleanup simple.