Name: Crispy Tater Tot Chili Cheese Bites
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 35 min
Total time: 45 min
Yield: 12 bites
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 60 frozen tater tots; 1 tbsp unsalted butter; 1 cup sharp cheddar cheese; 1.5 cups chili; jalapeños; chives or green onions; sour cream, pickled onions, tomatoes

Crispy Tater Tot Chili Cheese Bites cover

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Crispy Tater Tot Chili Cheese Bites

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Ingredients

Warning0 allergens identified

Crispy Tater Tot Chili Cheese Bites

60 frozen tater tots

1 tbsp unsalted butter

1 cup sharp cheddar cheese

1 ½ cups chilihomemade or store-bought

jalapeñosfor garnish

chives or green onionsfor garnish

sour cream, pickled onions, tomatoesfor serving

Instructions

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Instructions

Preheat the oven to 425°F (218°C). Place 5 frozen tater tots in each cup of a standard cupcake pan. Bake the tots for 10 minutes, until they're soft enough to smash.

Use a shot glass or the back of a spoon to gently, but firmly, press the tater tots into cups. Make sure the bottoms and sides are completely covered! You want the bottoms to be fairly thin so they crisp and hold up, but not so thin that they fall apart. Use a pastry brush to brush the sides of the tater tot cups with the melted butter. Bake for 20-22 more minutes, until the cups are nice and crispy, especially on the sides.

While the tots are baking, gently heat the chili in a saucepan, until it's hot and bubbly. Set aside. Then, turn the oven broiler to high.

Sprinkle about 1/2 tablespoon of shredded cheddar cheese on the bottom of each tater tot cup. Then, spoon about 1 1/2-2 Tablespoons of hot chili into each cup. Evenly sprinkle the rest of the cheese over the chili bites. Place 1-2 slices of jalapeños on top of each cup, if desired.

Broil the bites for 1-2 minutes, until the cheese is melted and bubbly. Let them set for about 5-10 minutes. Then, use a butter knife or small spoon to gently remove the cups from the cupcake pan. They might be a little soft from the chili, so be careful that they don't fall apart!

Place the bites on a serving platter and sprinkle fresh chives or green onions over the top, if using. Serve the cups right away with sour cream, pickled onions, tomatoes, or other toppings. Enjoy!

Nutrition

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Tips & Tricks (5)

Pre-Crisp Your Tots 🍟
Bake the tater tots 2-3 minutes longer than package instructions before adding toppings to ensure maximum crispiness that won't get soggy from the chili and cheese.
Warm Your Chili Separately 🍲
Heat your chili in a separate pot rather than straight from the fridge to ensure even warmth throughout and prevent the tater tots from becoming greasy or undercooked.
Cheese Layering Strategy 🧀
Add sharp cheddar in two layers—some before the chili and more on top—so the bottom layer melts into the tots while the top layer stays visibly gooey and melted.
Fresh Toppings Last Minute ⏰
Add delicate toppings like pickled onions, jalapeños, chives, and sour cream within 1-2 minutes of serving to maintain their texture and prevent them from wilting from residual heat.
Butter Brush for Extra Crispiness 🧈
Lightly brush melted unsalted butter on the tater tots before the final baking stage to enhance their golden exterior and add rich, savory depth to every bite.