The holiday season is here, and you know what that means. It is time for festive gatherings, happy moments, and of course, delicious food. But let’s be honest, planning a party can feel a bit overwhelming sometimes.
You want to serve something amazing without spending all day in the kitchen. If you are searching for Christmas appetizers easy enough for anyone to make, you have come to the right place. These loaded tater tots are about to become your new favorite dish.
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Why You’ll Love This Recipe
First off, this recipe is incredibly simple. We use frozen tater tots as the base, which saves a ton of time and effort. No peeling or chopping potatoes required. Just pure, simple goodness.
It is also a guaranteed crowd pleaser. Think about it. Crispy potatoes, gooey melted cheese, and salty bacon. What’s not to love? These are fantastic Christmas party food appetizers for guests of all ages.
Plus, they are totally customizable. You can stick with the classic toppings or get creative with your own additions. It’s a fun and flexible recipe that always delivers on flavor.
Ingredients
- 1 32 ounce bag frozen crispy tater tots
- 2 cups sharp cheddar cheese, freshly shredded
- 7 slices bacon
- 3 green onions, thinly sliced
- 1/2 cup sour cream
- 3/4 cup heavy cream
- 1 tablespoon fresh lime juice
- 1 teaspoon salt or ranch seasoning, to taste
Step By Step Instructions
Step 1: Preheat And Prepare
First things first, get your oven preheating to 425 degrees F. Go ahead and line two separate sheet pans with aluminum foil. Trust me, this will make cleanup so much easier later on.
Step 2: Bake The Tots And Bacon
Arrange the frozen tater tots in a single layer on one of your prepared pans. On the other pan, lay out the bacon slices in a single layer. You want to make sure nothing is overlapping.
Place both sheets in the oven and bake for 20 to 25 minutes. About halfway through the cooking time, carefully flip the tots and bacon. This helps everything get golden brown and crispy on all sides.
Step 3: Mix The Sauce
While the tots and bacon are baking, let’s make the delicious sour cream drizzle. In a small bowl, just whisk together the sour cream, heavy cream, fresh lime juice, and salt or ranch seasoning.
Give it a taste and adjust the seasoning if you need to. You can make it thicker or thinner to your liking. Once it is ready, set it aside.
Step 4: Assemble The Cheesy Tots
Once the tater tots are looking beautifully crisp, turn off the oven and remove them. Transfer the hot tots to a few serving plates or bowls. Now for the best part. Sprinkle that shredded cheese all over them.
If the cheese needs a little help melting, you can pop the plates back into the warm, turned off oven for 2 to 3 minutes. That should do the trick.
Step 5: Add Toppings And Serve
Carefully take the cheesy tots out of the oven. It is time to add your favorite toppings. Start with the crumbled bacon and the sliced green onions. These are classic for a reason.
Finally, drizzle your homemade sour cream mixture over the top. Or, you can serve it on the side as a dipping sauce. These Christmas appetizers finger foods are ready to be enjoyed immediately.
How To Store Leftovers
Got leftovers? No problem. Place any remaining tater tots in an airtight container and pop them in the refrigerator. They will stay good for up to 3 days.
For best results, try to store the toppings separately from the potatoes. This keeps the tots from getting soggy. You can also freeze them for up to 2 months if needed.
Tips
Always use foil on your baking sheets. It is a simple step that makes a huge difference when it is time to clean up. Nobody wants to scrub pans during a party.
Let the sour cream sauce come to room temperature before you add it to the potatoes. This prevents it from cooling down your nice and hot tater tots too quickly.
Allow the tater tots to cool for just a few minutes before adding the cheddar cheese. If they are too hot, the cheese might slide right off instead of melting evenly on top.
Want your tots extra crispy? After they are done baking, you can broil them for 1 to 2 minutes. Just watch them closely so they do not burn. This makes for great Christmas appetizers finger foods.
Conclusion
And there you have it. A wonderfully simple and tasty recipe that is sure to be a hit at your next holiday get together. These loaded tater tots prove that making Christmas appetizers easy is totally possible.
They are warm, comforting, and packed with flavor. Give this recipe a try, and watch how quickly they disappear. Happy holidays and happy cooking.
FAQ
Can I Use Different Kinds Of Cheese?
Absolutely. While sharp cheddar is a classic choice, feel free to experiment. A Monterey Jack or pepper jack would add a nice little kick. A mozzarella blend would also be delicious and extra gooey.
What Are Some Other Topping Ideas?
You can get so creative here. Sliced jalapeños, fresh chives, a dollop of guacamole, or even some pulled pork would be amazing. Think of these tots as a blank canvas for your favorite flavors.
Can I Make These Holiday Appetizers Easy To Prepare Ahead Of Time?
Yes, you can do some prep work in advance. You can cook the bacon and chop your toppings ahead of time. I would recommend baking the tater tots right before serving so they are hot and crispy for your guests.
Easy Loaded Tater Tot Appetizers
A simple and delicious crowd-pleaser, these loaded tater tots feature crispy potatoes, gooey melted cheese, and salty bacon. A perfect appetizer for any gathering.
Requirements
Ingredients
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 425 degrees F. Line two separate sheet pans with aluminum foil for easy cleanup.
- Arrange the frozen tater tots in a single layer on one pan and the bacon slices on the other. Bake for 20 to 25 minutes, flipping both the tots and bacon halfway through, until golden brown and crispy.
- While baking, prepare the sauce. In a small bowl, whisk together the sour cream, heavy cream, fresh lime juice, and salt or ranch seasoning until smooth.
- Once the tater tots are crisp, remove them from the oven. Transfer the hot tots to serving plates and immediately sprinkle with the shredded cheese. If needed, return the plates to the warm (but turned off) oven for 2-3 minutes to melt the cheese.
- Crumble the cooked bacon. Top the cheesy tots with the crumbled bacon and sliced green onions.
- Drizzle with the sour cream mixture or serve it on the side for dipping. Enjoy immediately.
Notes
Always use foil on your baking sheets for a quick and easy cleanup.
For the best results, let the sour cream sauce come to room temperature before drizzling it over the hot tater tots.
Allow the tater tots to cool for a minute or two before adding the cheese to help it melt evenly without sliding off.
For extra crispy tots, broil them for 1-2 minutes after baking, but watch them closely to prevent burning.
Nutrition
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