Name: Tater Tot Appetizer Cups
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 40 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: Frozen tater tots; Shredded cheese (cheddar, mozzarella, or a blend); Cooked beef or sausage (optional); Sour cream or ranch dressing (for serving); Chopped green onions (optional); Salt and pepper; For Taco-Style Tater Tot Cups (optional):; Cooked ground beef or turkey, seasoned with taco seasoning; Salsa; Guacamole or avocado; Sliced jalapeños (optional)

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Tater Tot Appetizer Cups are the perfect combination of crispy, golden tater tots and savory fillings. These bite-sized treats are great for parties, game days, or just as a fun snack for any occasion. They’re easy to make, highly customizable, and sure to be a crowd-pleaser.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

These tater tot cups are incredibly versatile, and you can fill them with almost anything! Whether you’re in the mood for cheesy beef, veggies, or a spicy taco-inspired flavor, they’re an easy, fun way to serve up a creative and tasty snack. Plus, they’re baked in a muffin tin, which makes them easy to serve and even easier to clean up.

Tater Tot Appetizer Cups

Ingredients

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

Tater tots (frozen)
Shredded cheese (cheddar, mozzarella, or a blend)
Cooked beef or sausage (optional)
Sour cream or ranch dressing (for serving)
Green onions, chopped (optional)
Salt and pepper

For Taco-Style Tater Tot Cups (optional):

Ground beef or turkey, cooked and seasoned with taco seasoning
Salsa
Guacamole or avocado
Jalapeños, sliced (optional)

Directions

Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C) and grease a muffin tin with cooking spray or line it with muffin liners.
Cook the tater tots according to the package directions until crispy (usually 20–25 minutes). Let them cool slightly.
Form the cups: Take one tater tot and gently press it into the bottom of each muffin cup to form a cup shape.
Bake the tater tot cups: Return the muffin tin to the oven and bake the tater tots in the muffin tin for 5–7 minutes, until they are golden brown and crispy around the edges.
Add the filling: Fill each cup with a small amount of cooked beef, sausage, or taco fillings like ground beef, cheese, or veggies.
Top with cheese: Sprinkle shredded cheese over the filling.
Return to the oven: Bake for an additional 5–7 minutes until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
Serve: Top the cups with sour cream, ranch dressing, green onions, guacamole, or your favorite toppings. Serve warm.

Servings and timing

This recipe makes 12 cups (1 muffin tin).
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Total Time: 40 minutes

Variations

Buffalo Chicken: Use cooked, shredded chicken tossed in buffalo sauce and top with blue cheese crumbles.
Breakfast Cups: Add scrambled eggs, cooked sausage, and shredded cheese for a breakfast-style treat.
Veggie Lovers: Use sautéed veggies like mushrooms, bell peppers, and spinach for a vegetarian version.
Italian Style: Use cooked Italian sausage, marinara sauce, and mozzarella cheese for an Italian twist.
Spicy Jalapeño: Add diced jalapeños, spicy sausage, or hot sauce to kick up the heat.
Pizza: Fill with pizza sauce, pepperoni, and mozzarella for mini pizza cups.

Storage/Reheating

Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
To reheat, bake in the oven at 350°F (175°C) for 5-10 minutes until heated through and crispy again.
Freezing is not recommended due to the texture of the tater tots, but you can freeze the filling components separately for future use.

FAQs

Can I make Tater Tot Appetizer Cups ahead of time?

Yes! You can prepare the tater tot cups ahead of time by assembling them (without baking) and refrigerating them for a few hours. Then, bake them when you’re ready to serve.

Can I use frozen tater tots directly?

Yes, they need to be cooked before pressing them into the muffin tin, as mentioned in the recipe. Simply bake them as directed on the package.

Can I make these without meat?

Definitely! You can make these vegetarian by using cheese, veggies, and other fillings like beans or even hummus.

Can I use a different filling than beef or sausage?

Absolutely! You can get creative with your fillings—use ground turkey, chicken, or even seafood. The options are endless!

How do I get the tater tots to stay in the muffin tin shape?

Press down gently on each tater tot to form a cup before baking. Once baked, the crispy edges will help hold the shape.

Can I freeze Tater Tot Appetizer Cups?

They are best served fresh, but you can freeze the cooked tater tot cups (without toppings) and reheat them later.

Conclusion

Tater Tot Appetizer Cups are a fun, versatile, and easy-to-make treat perfect for any gathering. With endless flavor possibilities, they’re sure to be a hit whether you’re serving them at a party, as a snack, or for game day. Plus, they’re baked, not fried, so you can enjoy that crispy, golden goodness without the guilt!

Chef MARTHA