Tater Tot Appetizer Cups are a fun and creative twist on a classic comfort food, transforming crispy tater tots into bite-sized cups filled with your favorite savory fillings. Whether you’re hosting a party, serving a game-day snack, or just looking for a fun family meal, these tater tot cups are the perfect combination of crispy, cheesy, and savory. Customize them with a variety of toppings and fillings for a versatile and crowd-pleasing appetizer!

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Tater Tot Appetizer Cups are a playful and delicious way to enjoy the classic tater tot. The crispy exterior of the tater tots creates the perfect base for all kinds of flavorful fillings. You can make them with cheese, chicken, beef, or even veggies to suit your taste. They’re easy to assemble, and the mini cups make them perfect for dipping or serving as individual portions at any gathering. Plus, they’re baked to perfection, so they’re crispy on the outside and tender on the inside.

Ingredients

• 1 bag (32 oz) frozen tater tots

• 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese (or your favorite cheese)

• 1/2 cup cooked chicken (shredded or diced) or ground beef (cooked and drained)

• 1/2 cup sour cream (for serving)

• 1 tablespoon chopped chives or green onions (optional, for garnish)

• Salt and pepper to taste

• Cooking spray

(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)

Directions

1. Preheat the oven: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Lightly grease a muffin tin with cooking spray.

2. Prepare the tater tots: Spread the frozen tater tots evenly on a baking sheet and bake according to package instructions (usually about 20-25 minutes) until they are crispy and golden brown.

3. Form the tater tot cups: Once the tater tots are baked, remove them from the oven and let them cool for a couple of minutes. While they are still warm, gently press down the center of each tater tot to form a little cup shape. You can do this by carefully pressing with your fingers or the back of a spoon.

4. Arrange in muffin tin: Place the shaped tater tots in the greased muffin tin, making sure each cup holds its shape. If you’re making several batches, you can use multiple muffin tins.

5. Fill the cups: Add a tablespoon or so of your chosen filling to each tater tot cup. You can use shredded chicken, cooked ground beef, shredded cheese, or any combination of these. Top with a little more cheese for extra cheesiness.

6. Bake the tater tot cups: Return the muffin tin to the oven and bake for an additional 5-7 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.

7. Serve: Let the tater tot appetizer cups cool for a minute, then carefully remove them from the muffin tin. Serve with sour cream, chives, or extra toppings as desired.

8. Enjoy: Enjoy your crispy, cheesy, and savory tater tot appetizer cups!

Servings and timing

• Servings: 12-16 appetizer cups (depending on the muffin tin size)

• Prep time: 10 minutes

• Cook time: 25-30 minutes

• Total time: 35-40 minutes

Variations

• Chicken or Beef Tater Tot Cups: If you’re using chicken or beef, make sure to cook it first and drain any excess fat. You can mix it with seasoning or cheese for added flavor.

• Loaded Tater Tot Cups: Fill the cups with melted cheese, diced chicken, green onions, and a dollop of sour cream for a loaded version that’s perfect for parties.

• Breakfast Tater Tot Cups: Add scrambled eggs and sausage for a breakfast-inspired version of the appetizer.

• Vegetarian Tater Tot Cups: Skip the meat, and add sautéed mushrooms, bell peppers, or spinach for a veggie-packed filling.

• Taco Tater Tot Cups: Use seasoned ground beef, taco cheese, and top with sour cream, salsa, and jalapeños for a fun taco-inspired version.

Storage/Reheating

• Refrigeration: Leftover tater tot appetizer cups can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

• Reheating: To reheat, place them in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for about 10 minutes or until heated through. Alternatively, you can microwave them for about 30-60 seconds, but the texture may not be as crispy.

FAQs

1. Can I use homemade tater tots for this recipe?

Yes! If you prefer homemade tater tots, you can make them from scratch and follow the same process of forming the cups once baked.

2. How do I make sure the tater tot cups hold their shape?

Make sure the tater tots are slightly pressed down while still warm. After baking, use a spoon to gently form the cup shape by pressing the center, then arrange them in the muffin tin.

3. Can I make these ahead of time?

Yes, you can prepare the tater tot cups and fill them ahead of time, then refrigerate them until you’re ready to bake. Just bake for 10-15 minutes when ready to serve.

4. How do I make sure the tater tots stay crispy?

To ensure the tater tots stay crispy, bake them until golden brown before forming the cups. After filling, only bake for a few minutes to melt the cheese and warm the filling to avoid softening the tater tots too much.

5. Can I make these vegetarian?

Yes! You can easily make these vegetarian by using vegetarian fillings like sautéed vegetables, cheese, and beans.

6. Can I make these in a mini muffin tin for bite-sized portions?

Yes, using a mini muffin tin will make smaller appetizer cups. Just reduce the amount of filling and adjust the baking time slightly for these smaller servings.

7. Can I use a different cheese?

Yes, you can use any cheese that melts well, such as mozzarella, cheddar, or even pepper jack for a spicier version.

8. Can I freeze these tater tot cups?

Yes! To freeze, assemble the cups (without baking them) and place them on a baking sheet. Once frozen, transfer them to an airtight container or freezer bag. To bake, just place the frozen cups in the oven and bake at 375°F (190°C) for about 20 minutes, or until heated through and crispy.

9. What should I serve with these tater tot appetizer cups?

These tater tot cups go well with dipping sauces such as ranch dressing, salsa, or sour cream. They also pair nicely with a fresh salad or grilled vegetables.

10. How do I make them spicier?

To add a bit of spice, top the cups with jalapeños, use spicy sausage, or add hot sauce to the filling mixture.

Conclusion

Tater Tot Appetizer Cups are the perfect blend of crispy, cheesy, and savory. With endless filling possibilities, these little cups are both versatile and fun to make. Whether you’re preparing them for a party, game day, or just a fun family meal, these bite-sized treats are sure to be a hit with everyone. Customize them to your taste, and watch them disappear in no time!