Loaded Tater Tot Skewers

I’m just going to say it: these are dangerously good.

I made these Loaded Tater Tot Skewers for a game night once and… they disappeared before halftimeWas there a full burst in conversation? As the little skewers of cheesy melty potatoes adorned with bacon went into volumes, so she disappeared. People remained silent, though all that silent disarray was coming out in a universal realization that maybe another skewer would be good. And honestly? I didn’t blame them. These are the kind of snacks you make when you want to win people over—or just treat yourself like royalty for a night.

What Are Loaded Tater Tot Skewers?

Consider all those things you like in a loaded baked potato: crispy edges, gooey cheese, smoky bacon, sour cream, and green onions. Now imagine all of that happening on a stick-and with crispy tater tots.

These skewers are simple to prepare, entertaining to serve, and absolutely customizable. Big batches can be made for parties or just a few for a cozy movie night at home. The best: They’re made mostly with store-bought ingredients that require little fuss.

What Makes This Recipe Special

So good news: tater tots are already heaven on Earth, but once you skewer them, roast them to a beautiful golden brown, and drown them in cheddar cheese, bacon, and sour cream, it’s a whole different ballgame. You get amazing textures and flavors in every bite-and everyone gets their own skewer (which is somehow tastier, right?).

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Here’s why I think this will become one of your go-to party snacks—or maybe even a Tuesday night comfort food:

• 🧀 Big Flavor with Minimal Effort: You’re using mostly ready-made ingredients, but the result tastes like you went all out.
• 🥓 Customizable for Any Crowd: Go classic, go spicy, go vegetarian—it’s up to you.
• 🍽️ Perfect for Sharing (or Not): Easy to pass around at a party, or keep them all to yourself. I won’t judge.
• ⏱️ Quick and Easy: 10 minutes of prep, and your oven does the rest.
• 🧽 Minimal Cleanup: One baking sheet and a few tools. No frying mess!

Tools You’ll Need (and Why)

Let’s keep this simple. Here’s what you’ll need, and why each thing matters:

• Wooden or metal skewers (6–8 inches) – These are the star. Wooden ones are fine—just soak them if you’re worried about burning.
• Baking sheet + parchment paper – For easy cleanup and even crisping.
• Small mixing bowl – For tossing or mixing cheese, bacon, etc.
• Tongs or spatula – To flip the skewers halfway through baking.
• Spoon or piping bag – To drizzle sour cream neatly (or just go rustic—your call).

Ingredients (US & Metric)

For the skewers:

• 1 (32 oz) bag frozen tater tots (approx. 900g)
• 1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese (about 100g)
• 6 slices bacon, cooked until crispy and crumbled
• 2 tablespoons sliced green onions or chives (optional but recommended)
• 1/3 cup sour cream (80g) – for topping or dipping
• 6–8 wooden skewers (soaked if using wooden)

Optional add-ins:

• Hot sauce or sriracha
• Jalapeño slices
• Ranch dressing
• Smoked paprika or garlic powder for seasoning

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Preheat the Oven

Preheat oven to 425°F (220°C). Line the baking sheet with parchment paper-this will save your sanity later, trust me.

2. Assemble the Skewers

Thread 5 to 6 frozen tater tots onto each skewer. Don’t pack them too tight—you want them to crisp up all around. I like to give a little space between each tot so the edges get nice and golden.

Tip: If your tater tots are super frozen and won’t skewer easily, let them sit out for 5 minutes first.

3. Bake Until Golden

Place the skewers on the prepared parchment and bake for 20-25 minutes, turning halfway. Ready when crisp-sizzling.

4. Add the Cheese and Bacon

Once the skewers come out of the oven, immediately sprinkle them generously with shredded cheddar and crumbled bacon. Pop them back inside for an addition of 2–3 minutes just to melt the cheese.

Don’t wander off here—the cheese melts fast and you don’t want it all pooling on the tray!

5. Top and Serve

Drizzle with sour cream, sprinkle with green onion, and serve. You may drizzle with a spoon or get fancy and pipe it on with a zip-top bag.

Make-Ahead & Storage Tips

• Make-ahead: Assemble the skewers (with frozen tots) and leave in the fridge for a few hours; then bake when you’re ready.
• Leftovers: Store in an airtight container for up to 2 days. Reheat in the oven or air fryer to restore crispness.
• Freezing? I don’t recommend freezing them after baking—they lose the texture magic.

Pro Tips & Mistakes to Avoid

Okay, friend-to-friend—here’s the good stuff I learned from trial and error:

✅ Pro Tips:

• Use sharp cheddar – It melts well and adds a real punch of flavor.
• Flip the skewers – Halfway through baking, or you’ll end up with one soggy side.
• Top while hot – The residual heat helps everything melt together beautifully.

❌ Mistakes to Avoid:

• Overcrowding the tray – Give those tots room to breathe or they’ll steam instead of crisp.
• Adding cheese too early – It’ll burn before the tots are done.
• Skipping the skewer soak (if wooden) – You will smell burning wood. Not ideal.

Recipe Summary

• Yield: 6–8 skewers (serves 4–6 as a snack)
• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 25 minutes
• Total Time: 35 minutes

Nutrition (per skewer, approx):

• Calories: 270
• Protein: 8g
• Carbs: 24g
• Fat: 18g
• Fiber: 2g

Note: These are snack-sized portions. Double the batch for a party crowd!

Let’s Make It Together

Honestly, you’ve got to try these at least once. Whether it’s for a party, a game day, or just a cozy night with Netflix and no plans—Loaded Tater Tot Skewers are always a good idea. I’d love to hear how you make them your own. Did you spice them up? Go vegetarian? Drown them in ranch?