Ultimate Cheese Stuffed Tater Tots Recipe: Crispy, Cheesy Perfection!

Get ready to elevate your snack game with these incredible cheese stuffed tater tots! This recipe takes the humble tater tot to a whole new level by loading them with gooey, melted cheese. Perfect as an appetizer, game-day snack, or even a fun side dish, these cheese stuffed tater tots are guaranteed to be a crowd-pleaser. This recipe provides detailed, easy-to-follow instructions so you can create this crispy, cheesy delight at home. We’ll cover everything from selecting the right ingredients to achieving that perfect golden-brown crisp. Let’s dive in!

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• Easy to Make: With simple steps and readily available ingredients, this recipe is perfect for both beginner and experienced cooks.
• Crowd-Pleasing: Who can resist crispy tater tots filled with melted cheese? These are always a hit at parties and gatherings.
• Customizable: Easily adapt the recipe to suit your preferences by using different types of cheese or adding additional fillings.
• Satisfying: The combination of crispy potatoes and gooey cheese is incredibly satisfying and comforting.

Ingredients You’ll Need

Before you start, make sure you have all the necessary ingredients on hand. Here’s what you’ll need:

• Frozen Tater Tots: 1 (32 ounce) bag. Using frozen tater tots simplifies the process and ensures a consistent result.
• Cheese: 8 ounces of your favorite cheese, cut into small cubes. Cheddar, mozzarella, pepper jack, and Colby jack are all excellent choices. You can also use a combination of cheeses for a more complex flavor.
• All-Purpose Flour: 1/2 cup. This will help the cheese adhere to the tater tots and prevent it from melting out too much during cooking.
• Eggs: 2 large. Beaten eggs act as a binder and help the flour stick to the tater tots.
• Breadcrumbs: 1 cup. Panko breadcrumbs are recommended for extra crispiness, but regular breadcrumbs will also work.
• Seasoning: 1 teaspoon garlic powder, 1/2 teaspoon onion powder, 1/4 teaspoon paprika, salt, and pepper to taste. These seasonings add flavor and depth to the tater tots. Feel free to experiment with other spices like chili powder or Italian seasoning.
• Oil for Frying: Vegetable oil, canola oil, or peanut oil. Choose an oil with a high smoke point for deep frying.

Equipment Needed

• Large Bowl: For mixing the breadcrumb mixture.
• Small Bowl: For beating the eggs.
• Deep Fryer or Large Pot: For frying the tater tots.
• Slotted Spoon or Spider: For removing the tater tots from the oil.
• Paper Towels: For draining excess oil.
• Baking Sheet: For cooling the tater tots.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these detailed instructions to make perfect cheese stuffed tater tots every time:

Step 1: Prepare the Cheese

Cut the cheese into small cubes, approximately 1/4 inch in size. This will ensure that the cheese melts quickly and evenly inside the tater tots. Set the cheese cubes aside in a bowl.

Step 2: Prepare the Breading Station

Set up a breading station with three shallow dishes:

• Dish 1: All-purpose flour.
• Dish 2: Beaten eggs.
• Dish 3: Breadcrumbs mixed with garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, salt, and pepper.

Make sure the breadcrumbs are evenly mixed with the seasonings.

Step 3: Stuff the Tater Tots

Take a frozen tater tot and use a small knife or toothpick to carefully create a small hole in the center. Be careful not to break the tater tot. Insert a cheese cube into the hole, pushing it in gently until it is snug inside. Repeat this process for all the tater tots. This is the most time-consuming part, but it’s worth the effort!

Step 4: Bread the Stuffed Tater Tots

Once all the tater tots are stuffed, it’s time to bread them:

1. Roll each stuffed tater tot in the flour, making sure it is fully coated. Shake off any excess flour.
2. Dip the floured tater tot in the beaten egg, ensuring it is completely covered. Let any excess egg drip off.
3. Roll the egg-covered tater tot in the breadcrumb mixture, pressing gently to make sure the breadcrumbs adhere to the surface.

Place the breaded tater tots on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. This will prevent them from sticking.

Step 5: Fry the Tater Tots

Heat the oil in a deep fryer or large pot to 350°F (175°C). Use a thermometer to ensure the oil is at the correct temperature. Carefully lower the breaded tater tots into the hot oil in batches, being careful not to overcrowd the fryer. Fry for 2-3 minutes, or until golden brown and crispy. Use a slotted spoon or spider to remove the tater tots from the oil and place them on a baking sheet lined with paper towels to drain excess oil.

Step 6: Serve and Enjoy

Serve the cheese stuffed tater tots immediately while they are hot and the cheese is melted and gooey. They are delicious on their own or with your favorite dipping sauces, such as ketchup, ranch dressing, or spicy mayo.

Tips and Tricks for Perfect Cheese Stuffed Tater Tots

• Use Frozen Tater Tots: Frozen tater tots are easier to handle and stuff compared to fresh ones.
• Don’t Overcrowd the Fryer: Frying in batches prevents the oil temperature from dropping too much, ensuring crispy tater tots.
• Use a Thermometer: Maintaining the correct oil temperature is crucial for achieving the perfect golden-brown color and crispy texture.
• Drain Excess Oil: Placing the fried tater tots on paper towels helps remove excess oil, making them less greasy.
• Serve Immediately: Cheese stuffed tater tots are best served hot when the cheese is melted and gooey.
• Experiment with Cheese: Try different types of cheese, such as pepper jack for a spicy kick or mozzarella for a classic flavor.
• Add Additional Fillings: Get creative and add other fillings, such as chopped bacon, jalapenos, or cooked ground beef.
• Baking Option: For a healthier alternative, you can bake the breaded tater tots in a preheated oven at 400°F (200°C) for 15-20 minutes, or until golden brown and crispy.
• Air Fryer Option: Air frying is another great option. Preheat your air fryer to 400°F (200°C) and cook the tater tots for 10-12 minutes, flipping halfway through.

Variations and Add-Ins

One of the best things about this recipe is how easily it can be customized. Here are some fun variations and add-ins to try:

• Spicy Cheese Stuffed Tater Tots: Use pepper jack cheese or add a pinch of chili powder to the breadcrumb mixture for a spicy kick. You can also include finely diced jalapenos in the cheese filling.
• Bacon Cheddar Stuffed Tater Tots: Mix cooked and crumbled bacon with the cheddar cheese filling. The smoky flavor of the bacon pairs perfectly with the cheddar cheese.
• Pizza Stuffed Tater Tots: Use mozzarella cheese and add a small piece of pepperoni or a sprinkle of Italian seasoning to the cheese filling. Serve with marinara sauce for dipping.
• Jalapeno Popper Stuffed Tater Tots: Mix cream cheese, cheddar cheese, and diced jalapenos for a cheesy, spicy filling. Coat the tater tots with crushed tortilla chips instead of breadcrumbs for extra crunch.
• BBQ Pulled Pork Stuffed Tater Tots: Mix shredded BBQ pulled pork with cheddar cheese for a savory and hearty filling. Serve with extra BBQ sauce for dipping.
• Broccoli Cheddar Stuffed Tater Tots: Mix finely chopped broccoli with cheddar cheese for a healthier twist.

Serving Suggestions

Cheese stuffed tater tots are incredibly versatile and can be served in a variety of ways:

• Appetizer: Serve them as a crowd-pleasing appetizer at parties, gatherings, or game-day events.
• Snack: Enjoy them as a satisfying snack any time of day.
• Side Dish: Serve them as a fun and tasty side dish with burgers, sandwiches, or salads.
• Dipping Sauces: Offer a variety of dipping sauces, such as ketchup, ranch dressing, spicy mayo, BBQ sauce, honey mustard, or marinara sauce.
• Tater Tot Nachos: Top the cheese stuffed tater tots with your favorite nacho toppings, such as shredded cheese, sour cream, guacamole, salsa, and jalapenos.
• Tater Tot Skewers: Thread the cheese stuffed tater tots onto skewers with other ingredients like cherry tomatoes, olives, and cheese cubes for a fun and festive presentation.

Make-Ahead Instructions

If you want to prepare these tater tots ahead of time, follow these instructions:

1. Stuff and Bread the Tater Tots: Follow the recipe through step 4. Place the breaded tater tots on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and freeze for at least 2 hours, or until solid.
2. Transfer to Freezer Bag: Once the tater tots are frozen, transfer them to a freezer bag and store them in the freezer for up to 2 months.
3. Fry or Bake: When ready to cook, fry or bake the frozen tater tots according to the recipe instructions. You may need to add a few extra minutes of cooking time to ensure they are heated through.

Storage Instructions

If you have leftover cheese stuffed tater tots, store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat them in the oven, air fryer, or microwave until heated through. Keep in mind that the tater tots may not be as crispy as they were when freshly made.

Nutritional Information

The nutritional information for cheese stuffed tater tots will vary depending on the ingredients used and the serving size. However, here is an estimate based on a serving size of 6 tater tots:

• Calories: 300-400
• Fat: 15-25 grams
• Saturated Fat: 8-12 grams
• Cholesterol: 50-70 mg
• Sodium: 400-600 mg
• Carbohydrates: 30-40 grams
• Fiber: 2-4 grams
• Sugar: 2-4 grams
• Protein: 8-12 grams

Please note that this is just an estimate and the actual nutritional information may vary. For more accurate information, you can use a nutrition calculator or consult a registered dietitian.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Here are some frequently asked questions about making cheese stuffed tater tots:

Q: Can I use different types of cheese?
A: Yes, you can use any type of cheese that melts well, such as cheddar, mozzarella, pepper jack, or Colby jack. You can also use a combination of cheeses for a more complex flavor.

Q: Can I bake the tater tots instead of frying them?
A: Yes, you can bake the breaded tater tots in a preheated oven at 400°F (200°C) for 15-20 minutes, or until golden brown and crispy. Make sure to flip them halfway through for even cooking.

Q: Can I use an air fryer to cook the tater tots?
A: Yes, air frying is a great option. Preheat your air fryer to 400°F (200°C) and cook the tater tots for 10-12 minutes, flipping halfway through.

Q: Can I make these ahead of time?
A: Yes, you can prepare the tater tots ahead of time and freeze them. See the make-ahead instructions above for more details.

Q: How do I prevent the cheese from melting out during frying?
A: Make sure to coat the tater tots thoroughly with flour, egg, and breadcrumbs. This will create a barrier that helps prevent the cheese from melting out. Also, be sure to maintain the correct oil temperature.

Q: What dipping sauces go well with these tater tots?
A: Ketchup, ranch dressing, spicy mayo, BBQ sauce, honey mustard, and marinara sauce are all great options.

Conclusion

Cheese stuffed tater tots are a fun, delicious, and customizable snack that everyone will love. With this detailed recipe and helpful tips, you can easily make them at home and impress your friends and family. Whether you’re hosting a party, watching a game, or just craving a tasty treat, these cheese stuffed tater tots are sure to hit the spot. So gather your ingredients, follow the instructions, and get ready to enjoy a crispy, cheesy delight!