Get ready to score big with Loaded Tater Tot Nachos (Tachos), the ultimate game day appetizer! Crispy tots loaded with cheese, savory toppings, and all your favorite nacho fixings make this easy, crowd-pleasing appetizer perfect for football season.
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Ahh… Football season. A time for tailgating, cheering, and (most importantly) snacks! If you’re looking to score big with your game day crowd, there’s no better way to kick off your football feast than with Loaded Tater Tot Nachos, aka “Tachos.” Crispy, golden tater tots smothered in melted cheese, juicy toppings, and mouthwatering sauces? Yes, please!
Tachos are the perfect game-day appetizer—easy to share, fun to customize, and packed with flavor. Whether you’re watching the game with friends or feeding a hungry team at home, these nachos with a twist will be the MVP of your snack lineup.
This blog is all about Tater Tot Nachos!
What are Tachos Made Of?
Simply put, “Tachos” are made in the exact same way as nachos – just with tater tots as a base rather than chips!
Looking for a more traditional nacho recipe? Check out my simple Sheet Pan Nachos with Ground Beef and Beans here!
Why Tater Tot Nachos Are a Game Day Win
Let’s face it, game day snacks have to be next-level. Whether you’re hosting or just enjoying the game from your couch, tater tot nachos deliver the crave-able toppings of nachos, but with the crispy texture of tater tots that can stand up to all the toppings you throw at them.
Tachos are the perfect comfort food to share with your friends while rooting for your favorite team. And I can almost guarantee there won’t be any left by the time the game is over!
This recipe is one of my favorites because it’s super quick and easy with minimal clean up. Just bake, load, and serve. Oh, and did we mention how customizable they are? Let your guests build their dream Tacho pile at your DIY tater tot nacho bar!
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The Anatomy of the Perfect Tacho
Every game day Tacho starts with a solid foundation, and that means crispy, golden tater tots. But we’re not stopping there! Here’s how to build the ultimate plate of Tachos:
- The Base: The foundation of your Tachos—crispy tater tots that hold up under the weight of all those glorious toppings.
- The Cheese: You can’t have tachos without cheese! Whether you opt for melted cheddar, pepper jack, or creamy queso, cheese is a must-have on all tachos!
- The Protein: Adding a protein makes this recipe more well-rounded and filling. I love adding bacon, ground beef seasoned with my Mexican spice, shredded chicken, BBQ pulled pork, or black beans for my vegetarian friends!
- The Toppings: The sky is the limit when it comes to toppings – just be sure to include your favorites! Some of my favorite toppings are jalapeños (fresh or sauteed), green onion, diced tomatoes, sliced avocado, salsa, or guacamole!
- The Sauce: The sauce ties everything together. Try a drizzle of queso, a dash of hot sauce, sour cream, or even ranch!
You can choose a classic nacho-style with ground beef and cheese, or think outside the box like BBQ pulled pork with coleslaw. There are no rules when it comes to building your tachos. Cater them to your taste!
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How Do You Get Tater Tots Crispy?
For perfectly crisp tater tots, bake them in a single layer at a high temperature (425°F). Make sure they have plenty of space to breathe on the baking sheet to ensure maximum crunch! You can also add a drizzle of olive oil to achieve that perfect crispy exterior.
What are the Best Toppings for Tater Tots?
Think of tater tots as a neutral crunchy base that is begging for creativity in the toppings. Here are a few different variations to try:
- Buffalo Chicken Tachos: Toss shredded chicken in buffalo sauce and top with blue cheese and finely chopped celery.
- BBQ Pulled Pork Tachos: Layer BBQ pulled pork, coleslaw, and jalapeños for a smoky twist. (one of my favorites!)
- Vegetarian: Opt for black beans, avocado, salsa, and a sprinkle of cotija cheese for a meatless masterpiece.
For those looking to spice things up, add a generous drizzle of jalapeño queso or sprinkle on some hot sauce. The key here is to make it your own—mix and match toppings to suit your cravings.
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Tachos: Step-By-Step
Step 1: Mise En Place
Gather all your ingredients and get them prepped for a smooth cooking experience.
Step 2: Cook Tater Tots
Arrange the tater tots on a large baking sheet in a single layer. For extra crispiness, drizzle with olive oil, Mexican seasoning, and salt. Bake according to package instructions, typically 25-30 minutes, flipping halfway through for even crispiness.
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Step 3: Cook the Bacon
Cook the bacon in a pan until crispy. Remove from the pan and place on a plate with paper towels to help absorb the grease and create super crispy bacon. Once cooled, crumble into bacon bits.
Step 4: Prep The Toppings
If you haven’t already, now is a great time to prep the remaining toppings while the tater tots continue to cook.
Step 5: Assemble and Bake
Once the tater tots are done, assemble your tachos and return them to the oven until the cheese is melted. Finish with any fresh ingredients like sour cream, guacamole, green onion, or cilantro. Enjoy!
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Storage and Reheating Tips
Tachos are best enjoyed fresh, but if you somehow end up with leftovers (unlikely!), here’s how to keep them tasty:
- Storage: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 days.
- Reheating: To bring back some of that crispy texture, reheat Tachos on a baking sheet in the oven at 375°F for 10-12 minutes. Avoid microwaving, as it will leave the tots soggy.
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Loaded Tater Tot Nachos (Tachos)
Ingredients
- 1 32-oz bag frozen tater tots
- 1 tbsp The Spice Girl Kitchen Mexican Seasoning
- 1 tbsp olive oil (optional, for extra crispiness)
- 1 1/2 cups shredded cheddar cheese (or a mix of cheddar and Monterey Jack)
- 6 slices bacon, cooked and crumbled
- 2 jalapeños, thinly sliced
- 4 green onions, thinly sliced
- 1/2 cup sour cream or ranch dressing (for drizzling)
- salt and pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Preheat your oven according to the tater tots' package instructions, usually around 425°F (220°C).
- Arrange the tater tots on a large baking sheet in a single layer. For extra crispiness, drizzle with olive oil, Mexican seasoning, and salt. Toss to coat. Bake according to package instructions, typically 25-30 minutes, flipping halfway through for even crispiness.
- While the tater tots are baking, cook the bacon until crispy, then crumble. Thinly slice the jalapeños and green onions.
- Once the tater tots are crispy and golden, remove them from the oven. Keep the oven on. Spread an even layer of shredded cheese over the tots, followed by crumbled bacon and sliced jalapeños.
- Return the baking sheet to the oven and bake for an additional 5-7 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Remove from the oven and sprinkle the green onions on top. Drizzle with sour cream or ranch dressing.
- Serve immediately with your favorite optional toppings, like guacamole, salsa, or hot sauce.
Notes
Tips For Crispy Bacon
Once your bacon is cooked, let it cool on a plate lined with paper towels. The paper towels will absorb more of the grease to maximize crispiness.Make Ahead Tips
When the clock is ticking down to kickoff, you want to make sure you’re prepped and ready. The good news is that tachos are super simple to throw together, and you can even do a bit of prep ahead of time:Make Ahead Tips
- Cook your choice of protein
- Shred the cheese
- Chop/prep any toppings
Tater tot Nacho Bar
Another thing I love to do is create a Tacho bar! Set out all the fixings and let everyone build their own tacho plate. That way, you can easily cater to all your guest's tastes without much extra effort.Storage and Reheating Tips
Tachos are best enjoyed fresh, but if you somehow end up with leftovers (unlikely!), here’s how to keep them tasty:- Storage: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 days.
- Reheating: To bring back some of that crispy texture, reheat Tachos on a baking sheet in the oven at 375°F for 10-12 minutes. Avoid microwaving, as it will leave the tots soggy.
This post was all about Tater Tot Nachos!
Did you make this recipe? Make sure to tag me @thespicegirlkitchen_ on Instagram or @thespicegirlkitchen on TikTok! I love seeing your recreations! I will be your ultimate hype woman!
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