Why You’ll Love This Recipe

All your favorite “loaded potato” flavors (cheese, bacon, ranch, sour cream) in a portable format.
Easy to assemble and serve—less messy than a platter of tots.
Customizable: swap toppings, add heat, use different cheeses, etc.
Great as an appetizer, game-day snack, or side dish.

Ingredients

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

Frozen tater tots
Bacon (cooked and crumbled) or bacon bits
Shredded cheese (cheddar, Mexican blend, or your favorite)
Green onions (sliced) or chives
Sour cream and/or ranch dressing
Optional: ranch seasoning, garlic powder, jalapeños, etc.
Skewers (wooden or metal)

Directions

Cook the tater tots
Bake or air fry the tater tots according to the package (or your preferred method) until golden and crispy.
Let them cool a bit
Allow them to rest for a few minutes so they’re easier to handle (not too hot).
Thread onto skewers
Thread 4 to 7 tater tots per skewer (depending on size) so they face the same direction.
Arrange on a baking sheet (or back in air fryer)
Lay the skewers flat on a lined sheet pan (or in your air fryer basket, if space and size allow).
Top with cheese & bacon
Sprinkle shredded cheese and crumbled bacon over each skewer. Optionally, you can brush or drizzle with sour cream or ranch, or rub in some ranch seasoning.
Melt the cheese
Broil in the oven or air fry (low time) for a minute or two until the cheese melts. Be careful not to burn.
Garnish & serve
Sprinkle sliced green onions or chives on top. Serve immediately with extra sour cream or ranch for dipping.

Servings and timing

Servings: about 6 skewers (depending on skewer length and number of tots)
Prep time: ~10 minutes
Cook time (for tots + melting): ~15–20 minutes
Total time: ~25–30 minutes

Variations

Spicy version: Add jalapeño slices, hot sauce drizzle, or a dusting of cayenne.
BBQ twist: Use BBQ sauce instead of ranch, and top with pulled pork or shredded chicken.
Vegetarian: Skip the bacon and add extra veggies (diced peppers, corn, etc.).
Different cheeses: Try pepper jack, mozzarella, or smoked gouda.
Seasoned tots: Toss tots in ranch or garlic powder before cooking for extra flavor.

Storage/Reheating

Storage: These are best fresh because toppings soften the tots over time. If you must store, keep the skewers without the sauce in an airtight container and add toppings fresh.
Reheating: Reheat in an oven, air fryer, or under the broiler to re-crisp the tots and remelt cheese.

FAQs

Can I use air fryer tots instead of baking them?

Yes. Just air fry them until crisp, then proceed with threading and topping. Many sources include air fryer instructions for loaded tot skewers.

How many tots should I put per skewer?

Typically 4 to 7 tots per skewer, depending on size and how full you want them.

Should I top before or after skewering?

It works best to skewer first and then top so that toppings melt evenly across all tots.

What cheese melts best?

Cheddar, Mexican blend, or similar melting cheeses are good choices. Use shredded forms.

Can I prepare skewers ahead of time?

You can cook tots ahead and then assemble just before serving. But wait to add sauce or delicate toppings until just before serving to preserve texture.

How do I prevent skewers from slipping?

Let the tots cool a little so they’re firm. Use wooden or metal skewers that grip well.

Is this suitable for large parties?

Yes—make many skewers and lay them on trays. They’re easy for guests to pick up.

Can I make these gluten-free or vegetarian?

Yes—use gluten-free tater tots and skip bacon (or use meat-free bacon bits).

Can I add extra toppings like drizzle sauces?

Definitely—drizzle hot sauce, ranch, sriracha, BBQ, or even guacamole. Serious Eats does a version with guacamole included.

Conclusion

Loaded Tater Tot Skewers combine the fun of handheld appetizers with the indulgence of loaded potato toppings. They’re simple to make, full of flavor, and highly customizable. Let me know if you’d like a printable recipe card version with exact measurements for your serving size!

Loaded Tater Tot Skewers

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Loaded Tater Tot Skewers are crispy tater tots threaded on skewers and topped with melted cheese, , and green onions — all the flavors of loaded fries in a fun, handheld form that’s perfect for parties and game days.

Author: Laura
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 15–20 minutes
Total Time: 25–30 minutes
Yield: 6 skewers (3–4 servings)
Category: Appetizer, Snack, Side Dish
Method: Air Fryer, Oven, Broiler
Cuisine: American

Ingredients

1 bag (about 16–20 oz / 450–550 g) frozen tater tots
4–6 slices cooked , crumbled
1–1½ cups shredded cheddar or Mexican blend cheese
2–3 green onions, sliced (or chives)
Sour cream and/or ranch dressing, for drizzling
(Optional) Ranch seasoning, garlic powder, jalapeños, or BBQ sauce
6 wooden or metal skewers

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Instructions

Cook the tater tots: Air fry or bake the tater tots at 200°C (≈ 400°F) until golden and crispy (about 15–20 minutes).
Cool slightly: Let them rest for a few minutes so they’re easy to handle.
Thread onto skewers: Carefully thread 4–7 tater tots onto each skewer, aligning them evenly.
Top with cheese : Lay the skewers on a parchment-lined baking sheet or in your air fryer basket. Sprinkle shredded cheese and crumbled evenly over the tops.
Melt the cheese: Broil for 1–2 minutes or air fry for 1–2 minutes at 180°C (≈ 350°F) until the cheese melts.
Garnish & serve: Top with sliced green onions or chives. Drizzle with sour cream, ranch, or your favorite sauce. Serve warm and enjoy!

Notes

Let tots cool slightly before skewering to prevent breaking.
Wooden skewers can be soaked briefly if broiling to avoid scorching.
Customize toppings: try jalapeños, BBQ sauce, or extra cheese for variety.
Best served fresh — tots lose crispness as they sit.
For large parties, assemble skewers on trays for easy grab-and-go serving.

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 skewer
Calories: 230
Sugar: 1g
Sodium: 390mg
Fat: 14g
Saturated Fat: 5g
Unsaturated Fat: 8g
Trans Fat: 0g
Carbohydrates: 18g
Fiber: 2g
Protein: 7g
Cholesterol: 25mg