Easy Cheesy Loaded Tater Tots 

Warm, crisp tater tots load up with gooey queso, savory bacon, cool ranch, and bright scallions in this irresistible snack. Perfect for movie nights, casual gatherings, or game day, these loaded tots are quick to assemble—just bake the tots and bacon, warm the cheese sauce, and layer it all together. The result is a harmonious blend of textures and flavors: crunchy tots topped with creamy sauce, smoky bacon, and zesty ranch—ready to vanish fast. Better yet, the recipe is both gluten‑free and dairy‑free (when using plant‑based substitutions), making it inclusive and easy to adapt.

Ingredients

• 32 oz frozen tater tots (such as Ore‑Ida, gluten‑free)
  
  

• 8 slices of bacon, chopped
  
  

• 1 cup queso (like plant‑based dairy‑free queso)
  
  

• ½ cup ranch dressing (can be dairy‑free)
  
  

• 2 scallions, thinly sliced
  
  

• Salt and pepper to taste
  
  

Directions

1. Preheat your oven to 425 °F (220 °C), or adjust according to your tater tots’ package instructions to accommodate both tots and bacon.
   
   

2. Bake tater tots: Spread the frozen tots in a single layer on a baking sheet and bake for about 20–25 minutes until golden and crisp.
   
   

3. Bake bacon: Lay bacon slices on a rack set over a baking sheet for even crisping. Bake alongside the tots for about 15–20 minutes, checking at around 12 minutes. Once crispy, let cool briefly and chop.
   
   

4. Warm queso: Heat the queso in the microwave or on the stovetop until pourable—around 2–3 minutes.
   
   

5. Assemble: Transfer the baked tots to a serving dish. Pour the warm queso evenly over them. Sprinkle with chopped bacon, drizzle ranch on top, and garnish with scallions. Season with salt and pepper as desired. Serve immediately while warm.

Estimated Nutrition (per serving, ¼ of recipe)

• Calories: ~933 kcal
  
  

• Carbohydrates: ~58 g
  
  

• Protein: ~28 g
  
  

• Total Fat: ~64 g
  
  

  • Saturated Fat: ~18 g
    
    

• Sodium: ~2,078 mg