Loaded Tater Tot Nachos

Get ready to faceplant into the most epic loaded Tater Tot Nachos of your life! These easy cheesy totchos are smothered in a melty cheese sauce and all your favorite toppings!

Course Appetizer

Cuisine American

Keyword Tater Tot Nachos, Totchos

Prep Time 10

Cook Time 25

Total Time 35

Servings servings

Calories 366kcal

Author Jenn Laughlin - Peas and Crayons

Ingredients

1 bag frozen tater tots (approx. 32 oz)
6-8 slices bacon
1-2 jalapeños
⅓ cup chopped fresh scallions or cilantro (or a mix of both)
sour cream for topping

NACHO CHEESE SAUCE

4-5 oz sharp cheddar cheese (medium cheddar works too!)
¾ cup milk (2% or whole)
1 TBSP unsalted butter
1 TBSP all-purpose flour
1 oz cream cheese (softened)
¼-½ tsp ground cayenne pepper
⅛ tsp garlic powder
⅛ tsp salt plus any extra to taste

OPTIONAL EXTRAS

sliced pickled jalapeño peppers (click for recipe)
pico de gallo (click for recipe)
sliced olives
black beans
guacamole (click for recipe)
fresh or pickled onion
salsa (click for recipe)

Instructions

BAKE THE TOTS

Preheat oven to 450°F and line a large baking sheet with parchment paper or foil.
Arrange tots in a single layer on the lined baking sheet and bake for approx 25-28 minutes on the center rack until crispy and golden.
While the tots bake, prepare cheese sauce and prep choice of toppings.

MAKE THE CHEESE SAUCE

Next make nacho cheese sauce. Freshly grate cheese (pre-shredded cheese won't work well here because it's coated) and measure out all ingredients. This sauce comes together fast!
Warm the milk in the microwave for 30-40 seconds and set aside. Heat a small sauce pot and add butter. Once melted, add flour and whisk into butter vigorously as it becomes bubbly and foamy. Continue to cook and whisk constantly for about a minute to cook off the flour taste.
Add warmed milk and whisk vigorously into flour mixture. Allow milk to come to a simmer, whisking occasionally as it thickens. Once it has thickened, remove pot from heat. Add cream cheese and whisk until melted.
Next slowly add the freshly grated cheddar in 3 batches, stirring it in until the cheese is fully melted. I like to keep the pot off the heat here so the cheese doesn't overhead and turn gritty. If working quickly the sauce should be hot enough to melt the cheese. Season with cayenne pepper and salt. Adjust spices to taste. If your stove top has a low/warm setting, allow pot to sit on the burner set to low or warm to keep the cheese nice and melty. It will thicken as it cools but thin back out once brought back to heat. Easy peasy!

PREP THE TOPPINGS

If using bacon, cook via favorite method until crispy and crumble into small pieces. My favorite speedy method for this is to chop the bacon into 1/4-1/2 inch pieces and cook in a skillet until crispy.
Prep and measure out remaining toppings and feel free to add any optional extras from the list above!

GET YOUR TOTCHO ON!

Once tots are hot and ready from the oven, pour cheese sauce on top and pile on the toppings. Enjoy them while they're hot, cripsy, and oh so delicious!

Notes

Nutrition Facts below are estimated using an online recipe nutrition calculator. Adjust as needed based on additional extras added and enjoy!

Nutrition