Get ready to fall in love with these irresistibly crispy, cheesy, and bacon-packed bites — the Tater Tot Appetizer Cups with Cheddar, Bacon, and Green Onions Recipe are a total game-changer for any gathering. Each golden cup is packed with melty cheddar, smoky bacon, and a fresh zing from green onions, making them perfect finger food that’s both comforting and downright addictive.
Why You Should Make This Recipe
Super easy to prepare: With just a handful of simple ingredients, these cups come together quickly and effortlessly, no fancy techniques needed.
Perfect crowd-pleasers: Everyone loves tater tots, and turning them into bite-sized cups makes the perfect party appetizer or snack.
Amazing flavor combo: The sharp cheddar, crispy bacon, and fresh green onions create a flavor trifecta that’s sure to impress.
Versatile and fun to serve: These appetizer cups look adorable on any platter and can be customized with your favorite toppings.
Ingredients & Substitutions
What I love about the ingredients for the Tater Tot Appetizer Cups with Cheddar, Bacon, and Green Onions Recipe is their simplicity and how each one brings something special to the table — from crispy golden tots forming the sturdy base to the cheddar cheese adding gooey richness. Plus, the bacon gives that irresistible smoky crunch, and green onions add the perfect pop of fresh color and mild warmth.
- Frozen tater tots: The base of these cups — frozen works best for that crispy, golden texture, so no need to make tots from scratch!
- Shredded cheddar cheese: Sharp cheddar melts beautifully and adds a bold, cheesy punch that ties everything together.
- Sour cream: Adds creamy tang for topping — you can also try Greek yogurt as a lighter alternative.
- Bacon, cooked and crumbled: Use your favorite style, whether thick-cut or turkey bacon for a leaner option.
- Green onions, sliced: Only the green parts for a fresh, vibrant garnish that balances the flavors perfectly.
How to Make Tater Tot Appetizer Cups with Cheddar, Bacon, and Green Onions Recipe
Step 1: Prepare Your Oven and Muffin Pan
Start by preheating your oven to 450ºF and spritzing your muffin pan with cooking spray—this step ensures those tater tot cups come out perfectly crispy and won’t stick. Using a mini or regular muffin pan works great depending on your desired snack size. It’s the simple prep that sets the stage for magic!
Step 2: Arrange the Tater Tots in the Pan
Pop 2-3 tots into each mini muffin cup, or 4-5 tots if you’re going for regular-sized cups. The goal here is to fill each cup but still leave room for shaping, so don’t overcrowd. Then, bake them on the bottom rack for 10 minutes to get things started and soften the tots just slightly.
Step 3: Shape the Cups Perfectly
Once partially baked, take the muffin pan out and grab a small shot glass or juice glass coated lightly with cooking spray. Carefully press and twist the glass into each muffin cup, molding the tots upward to form sturdy little cups. This part is so satisfying because you can already see the shape forming—your future crispy cups are coming to life!
Step 4: Bake Until Golden and Crispy
Return your molded tater tot cups to the oven for about 15 more minutes. The goal is to achieve a deep golden brown color and a crunchy exterior that will hold up to all those delicious toppings without falling apart.
Step 5: Add Cheese and Melt to Gooey Perfection
Sprinkle a tablespoon of shredded cheddar on each cup, then pop them back in the oven for 4-5 minutes. You’ll know they’re ready when that cheese bubbles and melts wonderfully—a true sign these tater tot cups are ready to be devoured.
Step 6: Garnish and Serve Warm
Let the cups cool just a few minutes before topping with dollops of sour cream, crumbled bacon, and sliced green onions. The colors, textures, and flavors combine beautifully to make these the ultimate show-stopping appetizer.
How to Serve Tater Tot Appetizer Cups with Cheddar, Bacon, and Green Onions Recipe
Garnishes
While sour cream, bacon, and green onions are classics, feel free to add a sprinkle of smoked paprika, a dash of hot sauce, or even a tiny scoop of guacamole to take your cups to the next level. These garnishes add layers of flavor and make your presentation pop.
Side Dishes
These appetizer cups pair wonderfully with a crisp green salad, fresh veggie platter, or even a light soup for a complete snack or light meal. Their savory richness deserves sides that either compliment or contrast that indulgence.
Creative Ways to Present
Serve your tater tot cups on a rustic wooden board garnished with extra green onions and bacon crumbles. Or, for a casual party vibe, place them in colorful paper liners inside a muffin tin for a fun and tidy display. Either way, presentation is an easy step that makes these irresistible treats even more inviting!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
If you have any leftovers (and trust me, that might be tough!), store them in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days. This keeps them fresh without sacrificing too much of their crunch and flavor.
Freezing
To freeze, cool the cups completely, then place them in a single layer on a baking sheet to flash freeze before transferring to a freezer-safe bag or container. They’ll keep for up to 2 months. When ready to enjoy, bake from frozen until heated through and crisp.
Reheating
Reheat your tater tot appetizer cups in a 350ºF oven or air fryer for about 10 minutes to bring back that crunch and warm all the flavors. Avoid microwaving as it tends to make them soggy, and nobody wants that!
FAQs
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Can I use homemade tater tots for this recipe?
Absolutely! Homemade tater tots will work perfectly and might even taste fresher, but just keep in mind that frozen tots have a consistent size and texture, which helps in forming the cups with ease.
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What can I substitute for bacon if I’m vegetarian?
You can swap bacon for smoked tempeh bacon or mushrooms sautéed with smoked paprika to add that smoky depth without meat. Both options complement the cheesy and crispy tots well.
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Can I make these appetizer cups ahead of time?
Yes! You can prepare through step 5, then refrigerate. When ready to serve, simply bake at 400ºF for 10 minutes until crispy and golden, add toppings, and serve fresh.
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How do I keep the tater tot cups from becoming soggy?
Using frozen tots and baking them on the bottom oven rack helps them crisp up nicely. Also, shaping them with a sprayed glass creates a sturdy cup that holds up well to toppings without getting soggy quickly.
Final Thoughts
If you’re craving a snack that’s easy, fun, and packed with crowd-pleasing flavors, the Tater Tot Appetizer Cups with Cheddar, Bacon, and Green Onions Recipe is a total winner. They’re perfect for game days, casual get-togethers, or even a cozy weekend treat. Give them a try — your taste buds will thank you!
Print
Tater Tot Appetizer Cups with Cheddar, Bacon, and Green Onions Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 12–15 appetizer cups 1x
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
These Tater Tot Appetizer Cups are crispy, cheesy bite-sized snacks perfect for parties or a delicious appetizer. Made with frozen tater tots baked to golden perfection and filled with melted cheddar cheese, then topped with sour cream, crispy bacon, and fresh green onions, these cups are sure to be a crowd-pleaser.
Ingredients
Base
- 48–60 frozen tater tots (16-oz bag)
Toppings and Filling
- ¾ cup cheddar cheese, shredded
- ½ cup sour cream
- 4 slices bacon, cooked and crumbled
- 2 green onions, sliced (green part only)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven and Prepare Pan: Preheat your oven to 450ºF. Lightly spray the muffin pan cups with cooking spray to prevent sticking.
- Place Tater Tots: For mini muffin pans, place 2-3 tater tots in each cup; for regular-sized muffin pans, use 4-5 tots per cup. Arrange evenly to form the base of the cups.
- Initial Bake: Place the muffin pan on the oven’s bottom rack and bake for 10 minutes to begin cooking the tots.
- Shape the Cups: Remove the pan from the oven. Lightly spray the bottom of a shot glass or small juice glass with cooking spray. Insert the glass into each muffin cup and gently twist to press the tots against the sides, creating cup shapes that come close to the muffin tin’s edge.
- Second Bake: Return the muffin pan to the oven and bake an additional 15 minutes or until the tater tot cups turn deep golden brown and crispy.
- Add Cheese and Melt: Spoon about 1 tablespoon of shredded cheddar cheese into each cup. Bake for 4-5 minutes more until the cheese melts and becomes bubbly.
- Cool and Garnish: Transfer the cups to a serving platter and allow them to cool for 5 minutes. Top each cup with sour cream, crumbled bacon, and sliced green onions. Serve warm and enjoy!
Notes
- Storing Instructions: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
- Reheat leftovers in the oven or air fryer at 350ºF for 10 minutes or until warmed through.
- Make Ahead Instructions: Prepare through step 5, then refrigerate. Before serving, cover muffin tin with foil and bake at 400ºF for 10 minutes to restore crispiness. Add toppings and serve.
- This recipe was inspired by a Kraft Foods recipe.
