These 5 Ingredient Loaded Tater Tots are the perfect game day appetizer! Little taters are baked with bacon and then covered in ooey gooey cheese and go perfectly with a side of salsa and sour cream. They only take a few minutes to prepare, allowing you to enjoy the game with your guests!
Can we talk about what happens on Sunday nights in the fall for a second? It’s oh-so-sacred football time!
The time when for a few hours the only sounds you’ll hear coming from the TV room are cheering and/or not-so-nice language depending on how the game goes.
You’ll also become familiar with different players from all teams near and far if you or your loved one has a fantasy football team. You might overhear conversations about trying to trade tight ends or about how your hubby’s fantasy team is doing. And, if I’m being honest, you might just nod and smile politely even though you don’t have the same enthusiasm about the game!
But me? What do I enjoy about game days? All the fun food!
And duh, I have a food blog, so I love sharing what I serve at my house on game days! For an appetizer, these 5 Ingredient Loaded Tater Tots have become a favorite since they’re super easy to throw together (for other 5 Ingredient Faves, check out my 5 Ingredient Friday page) and hello…they’re bacon and cheese covered…need I say more?
A few other game day faves at our house:
I’d love to hear from you – what are some of your fave game day foods?

5 Ingredient Loaded Tater Tots {perfect game day appetizer}
Equipment
Ingredients
- 2 Lbs Tater Tots 32 oz.
- 1/2 lb Bacon cut into small pieces
- 2 Cups Cheddar shredded, reduced fat
- 1 Cup Sour Cream reduced fat
- 1 Cup Salsa to the heat level you like
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400. Line a baking sheet with aluminum foil.
- Spread out the tater tots and the cut up bacon pieces on the prepared baking sheet.
- Bake for 25 minutes, loosen and flip the tater tots and bacon and then sprinkle the cheddar cheese over the tots and bacon, bake for another 5 minutes until the cheddar has melted.
- Remove from oven and allow to cool for a few minutes.
- Put sour cream and salsa in bowls, and then serve either buffet style letting everyone make their own little plates, or serve on little plates with a dollop of sour cream and salsa on the side.
Kary says
This was an easy and fun appetizer for the super bowl! I added chopped green onions before serving and ranch dressing for dipping. They weee delicious!
B. N. says
So were these frozen tots? And and are the bacon bits cooked when you add them?
Sweetphi says
Yes, frozen tots, and the bacon cooks with the tots, but you could certainly cook it before if you want it super crispy
B. N. says
Thanks so much, gonna make them tonight
Sutton Stracke says
Do you cook the bacon separately?
Sweetphi says
I do not, but if you want to you are more than welcome to
Places to visit in Gurgaon says
Very interesting blog. A lot of blogs I see these days don’t really provide anything that attract others, but I’m most definitely interested in this one. Just thought that I would post and let you know.
Sweetphi says
Why thank you so much for that comment, appreciate it 🙂
Cera says
What kind of Tator tots did you use that were Gluten free?
Sweetphi says
Thanks for your comment! I used OreIda brand, they are on their list of gluten-free items 🙂
Rita says
Phi I can’t wait to try them—–they look delicious
Sweetphi says
Thanks so much Rita, I know you’re going to love them, let me know how they turn out for you 🙂
Thalia @ butter and brioche says
I am obsessed with tater tots! I could pretty much devour that whole tray right now Phi, they look SO delicious. Gorgeous photography too!
Sweetphi says
Thank you so much Thalia, I totally am obsessed with tater tots too!! I really appreciate your compliments on my photography, means the world!
kathysteger says
What a great and quick idea. This is perfect for a weeknight dinner
Sweetphi says
Thanks girl! These loaded tater tots would definitely make the perfect easy weeknight dinner 🙂
Ashley says
hahaha yup that sounds like our sundays! Except this year my friends and I are doing a fantasy league even though none of us know much about football 🙂 which leads to some interesting conversations (i.e. arguments with the husband who I ask for advice and then get mad at when I don’t like his advice! lol)
Love these tots!! Oh how I love tater tots … and you even added bacon!
Sweetphi says
Haha, girl, I’ve told my hubby I’m entering a league next year…it’s just met with an eye roll lol! Thanks for your comment on these amazing little loaded tater tots…anything with added bacon, right?
Karishma says
Yum this looks so cheesy and delicious! I know my friends would definitely love this for game day
Sweetphi says
Thank you so much for the comment, these loaded tater tots are definitely super cheesy 🙂
Karis says
My favorite part of football games is definitely the food too. Thankfully I had a group of friends in Milwaukee that also preferred to hang out in the kitchen where we could chat and try our best to ignore the boys in the living room 🙂
Sweetphi says
Glad I’m not the only one who enjoys the food over the game lol! Your group of friends sound amazing 😉
Erica says
Looks so good and yet simple. I like.
Sweetphi says
Thank you so much for your comment Erica 🙂 This is definitely a delicious and simple recipe !