Chili Cheese Tater Tots Recipe
Crispy, golden tater tots smothered with warm chili and melted cheddar cheese. It’s restaurant food you can make at home.
We first discovered chili cheese fries at a local restaurant many years ago. It is entirely possible we have gone back there quite a few times. Then suddenly one day, eureka, we realized we could make those delicious chili cheese fries ourselves. Now, these are a family favorite game day food.
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Chili Cheese Tater Tot Ingredients
A few simple ingredients you can find at your local grocery store. No deep frying is involved with this recipe. Golden brown baked tater tots make this dish easy.
- 1 bag frozen tater tots
- 1 can chili, no beans, this is my preferred brand
- 1 (16 oz) pkg. shredded sharp cheddar cheese
Tips
For crispy tater tots, increase the baking time slightly. Keep an eye on the tater tots so they don’t burn. Remove tots from the oven when they have your desired crispy golden brown color.
Always bake your tater tots in a sinlge layer so they will all get good and done.
I use Hormel No Bean canned Chili but if you have leftover chili, use it.
Directions
This easy recipe for chili cheese tater tots is ready in about 30-40 minutes.
Step 1
Spray your 13 x 9 baking dish with non-stick spray. Spread the entire bag of tater tots in a single layer in the baking dish.
Cook the tater tots in a preheated oven according to package directions.
Note: You can use a baking pan with rimmed sides if you do not have a baking dish handy.
Step 2
While the tater tots are baking, pour the can of chili into a small saucepan. Cook on low heat until hot, stirring occasionally. Remove from heat and set aside.
Step 3
Remove the tater tots from the oven once they are golden brown. Immediately spoon the chili evenly across the top of all the tater tots. Spread with the back of the spoon.
Sprinkle the cheese evenly on top of the chili-covered tater tots.
Step 4
Turn the broiler on high. Return the baking dish to the oven and stand right there to watch the cheese melt. It happens fast so don’t leave. You have less than one minute to ooey gooey cheesy chili tots.
Step 5
Enjoy! Remove your delicious Chili Cheesy Tots from the oven and eat up.
Chili Cheese Tots are great for a side dish with burgers or hotdogs, snacks, appetizers and also game day food.
Several times per year, we have birthday dinners at my house and cook burgers and hot dogs. My grands love when I make these easy chili cheese tater tots as a side dish on those occasions. My hubby loves these for football food.
Optional Toppings
Want your chili cheese tots to be restaurnat style? Add any of these toppings.
- Chopped cooked bacon
- Green onions, chopped
- Sour Cream
- Jalapenos, chopped
- brown gravy
Chili Cheese Tater Tots Recipe
Crispy Chili Cheese Tater Tot casserole is just like chili cheese fries from your favorite restaurant, only better. Ooey gooey cheese smothered chili with crispy tater tots.
Ingredients
- 1 (32 oz.) bag frozen tater tots
- 1 can (15 oz.) chili, no beans
- 2 cups (16 oz. pkg.) shredded sharp cheddar cheese
Instructions
Spray your 13 x 9 baking dish with non-stick spray. Spread the entire bag of tater tots in a single layer in the baking dish.
You can use a sheet pan with sides if you do not have a baking dish handy.
Cook the tater tots in a preheated oven according to package directions which should be at 400° for about 25 minutes.
While the tater tots are baking, pour the can of chili into a small saucepan. Cook on low heat until hot, stirring occasionally. Remove from heat and set aside.
Remove the tater tots from the oven once they are golden brown. Immediately spoon the chili evenly across the top of all the tater tots. Spread with the back of the spoon.
Sprinkle the cheese evenly on top of the chili-covered tater tots.
Turn the broiler on high. Return the baking dish to the oven and stand right there to watch the cheese melt. It happens fast so don’t leave.
Once the cheese is melted, remove the dish from the oven. Serve and enjoy!
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