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Home » Recipes » Appetizers

by Traci · Published: 11/02/2022 · Updated: 01/30/2021 · This post may contain affiliate links. Please read our disclosure policy.

Totchos (Tater Tot Nachos)

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5 from 15 votes
35 minutes

Totchos tater tot nachos are crispy baked tater tots piled with Mexican toppings for the ultimate game day party food. Customize this fun totchos recipe to make it all your own!

tater tot nachos on white serving platter
Table of Contents hide
1) What are totchos?
2) Ingredient notes
3) How to make Totchos
4) Make-ahead tips
5) Recipe tips
6) Recipe variations
7) Other totcho topping ideas
8) Totchos

What are totchos?

Totchos are nachos made with tater tots – and hats off to the frozen potatoes we love to hate because of their trashy reputation. We all know how irresistable they are, which is why they're the perfect substitute for tortilla chips in this totchos recipe. Are they good enough for steak nachos? Oh yes, you better believe it!

Ingredient notes

Use my totchos recipe and this ingredient list as a reference for your own customization. There are endless combinations. Check out other topping recommendations below.

  • tater tots - I recommend using unseasoned tater tots for this recipe so you can leave them plain or add seasoning. Also, the crispier you bake them, the better they are for totchos!
  • taco seasoning - Use store bought packets or make super easy taco seasoning. Fajita seasoning would work great too!
  • shredded cheddar cheese - Or Mexican cheese blend.
  • beans - Use black beans, pintos, or refried beans. Use canned beans for convenience or use scratch-cooked beans for better quality and savings.
  • bacon - You can cook bacon or use bacon crumbles.
  • salsa - Use this pico recipe, restaurant style salsa, or picante sauce for this recipe.
  • avocado or guacamole - Nothing better than the rich taste of avocado on nachos!
  • sour cream + lime juice = lime crema and belongs on all things TexMex.
  • cilantro and jalapeno - Nothing like fresh cilantro and jalapeno to give totchos a touch of authentic Mexican flavor.
  • green onions - I use the green part as a garnish for totchos. Chives can be used instead.

How to make Totchos

Just like any nachos, totchos are easy to make and fun to eat. If you know how to make tater tots, you'll crush tater tot nachos!

Toss tater tots with taco seasoning and bake according to package instructions. Remove tots from the oven and transfer to an oven-safe serving dish. Add non-produce ingredients such as cheddar cheese, bacon, and beans. Bake 3-5 minutes to melt the cheese.

crispy tater tots on serving platter
tater tots, bacon, shredded cheddar, and black beans piled up on serving platter

Return tots to the oven for 3-5 minutes to melt the cheese. Remove and scatter toppings such as salsa, guacamole, sour cream, jalapeno, and cilantro.

tater tots, bacon, melted cheddar, and black beans piled up on serving platter
tater tot nachos on white serving platter

Serve totchos and watch them disappear!

tater tot nachos on white serving platter

Make-ahead tips

If you're serving totchos at a party and want to get ahead of the game, you can prepare ingredients a few days in advance, then refrigerate separately until assembly.

  • shred cheddar cheese with a box grater or food processor – or use pre-shredded cheese
  • cook bacon via stove or air fryer – or use packaged crumbled bacon
  • make lime crema by mixing sour cream and fresh lime juice
  • make refried beans or whole cooked beans – or use canned beans for convenience
  • make salsa and guacamole – or go with store bought

Recipe tips

There's no need to thaw tater tots before baking. But you will want a fully preheated oven. Just coat tots in taco seasoning and bake until crispy.

Make tater tots extra crispy to prevent them becoming soggy once the toppings are added. This way, the crispness will last longer and be more enjoyable.

When using refried beans for this recipe, I recommend warming the beans just before assembly because they'll be creamier and easier to distribute.

When using fresh or pickled jalapenos, I recommend making them clearly visible so they can be easily removed by guests averse to spicy foods.

I use only the tops of green onions to garnish totchos because they're milder than the white stem and they deliver great flavor and color.

Recipe variations

Make this totchos recipe vegetarian by simply leaving bacon out. Feel free to replace it with larger quantity of another ingredient such as beans, salsa, or guacamole.

If you don't have salsa, use fresh tomatoes instead. They add so much freshness and color to totchos, and they pair well with cilantro and jalapeño.

Other totcho topping ideas

  • Add a few scoops of pulled pork or make the best taco meat recipe to add a savory, meaty, irresistible twist to totchos.
  • Cooked brown rice or chiptole brown rice can be added for volume and nutrients.
  • Kick up the heat with pickled jalapenos or pickled red onions.
  • Black bean corn salsa, peach salsa, or mango salsa can be added in place of beans and salsa for another level of flavor and variety.
tater tot nachos on white serving platter

Totchos

Totchos tater tot nachos are crispy baked tater tots piled with TexMex toppings for the ultimate game day party food. Customize this fun totchos recipe to make it all your own!
5 from 15 votes
Print Pin
Prep: 5 minutes
Cook: 30 minutes
Total Time: 35 minutes
Yield: 10 1-cup servings
Author: Traci The Kitchen Girl

INGREDIENTS
 

  • 8 cups Frozen Tater Tots, or 2 pounds
  • 1 tablespoon Taco Seasoning
  • 1 (15 ounce can) Black Beans (or refried beans), rinsed and drained
  • 4 ounces Cheddar Cheese, shredded (about 1 cup)
  • ½ cup Bacon, crumbled (about 6 slices)
  • ¼ cup Sour Cream
  • ½ Lime, juiced
  • ½ Avocado (diced), or ½ cup guacamole
  • ¼ cup Salsa, or cherry tomatoes
  • ¼ cup Cilantro, chopped
  • 1 Jalapeno Pepper, seeded and sliced
  • 1 Green onion, sliced

Instructions
 

  • Toss TATER TOTS with TACO SEASONING, then bake according to package instructions. Note: Bake tater tots extra crispy to prevent becoming soggy.
  • Transfer baked tots to an oven-safe serving platter. Scatter BEANS, CHEDDAR CHEESE, and half of the BACON over the surface.
  • Bake a few minutes, or until cheddar is melted.
  • In a small mixing bowl, make lime crema by whisking SOUR CREAM and LIME JUICE together.
  • Remove totchos from the oven and scatter fresh toppings to serve: SALSA, AVOCADO, remaining BACON, LIME CREMA, CILANTRO, JALAPENO, and GREEN ONION.
  • Serve and devour!

RECIPE VIDEO

Tried this recipe? I'd love your review!Visit the comments below and tell me how it went.

Equipment

  • 13 x 9 baking sheet
  • chef's knife
  • cutting board
  • small mixing bowl
  • oven-safe serving platter
  • serving utensil

NUTRITION

Serving: 1cup | Calories: 319kcal | Carbohydrates: 29g | Protein: 7g | Fat: 21g | Saturated Fat: 6g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 5g | Monounsaturated Fat: 8g | Trans Fat: 0.02g | Cholesterol: 23mg | Sodium: 680mg | Potassium: 384mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 283IU | Vitamin C: 11mg | Calcium: 106mg | Iron: 1mg

Nutrition data provided as courtesy estimates using unbranded ingredients from a nutrition database. Please consult preferred resource for precise data.

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Comments

  1. Jeff says

    November 03, 2022 at 12:21 pm

    5 stars
    It's been way too long since I've made this totchos recipe. It's one of my favorite KG recipes of all time and I'm about to make it happen. If I make these tater tot nachos with your taco meat recipe, I may never go back to the regular kind LOL.

    Reply
    • Traci says

      November 03, 2022 at 3:08 pm

      Thank you and yes! I 100% vote you make these - with the taco meat 🙂 Enjoy!!!

  2. Peg says

    April 30, 2020 at 1:41 am

    5 stars
    Ahhmazing!!

    Reply
    • The Kitchen Girl says

      April 30, 2020 at 7:05 am

      Why thank you Peg We LOVE this one too!

  3. Toni says

    January 23, 2020 at 10:14 am

    5 stars
    I loved it! So easy to make and packed full of flavors!

    Reply
    • Traci Antonovich says

      January 23, 2020 at 10:54 am

      Thanks Toni! So glad to hear it 🙂

  4. Rebecca says

    January 23, 2020 at 9:49 am

    5 stars
    I love tots, and these totchos look amazing! the toppings make them for sure

    Reply
    • Traci Antonovich says

      January 23, 2020 at 10:03 am

      Thanks, Rebecca...it's ALL about those toppings 🙂

  5. Lisa | Garlic & Zest says

    January 23, 2020 at 9:47 am

    5 stars
    A rose by any other name would smell as sweet! Love this twist on nachos especially for Game Day!

    Reply
    • Traci Antonovich says

      January 23, 2020 at 10:03 am

      Thanks, Lisa! Yes, guaranteed empty platter, for sure 🙂

  6. Bintu | Recipes From A Pantry says

    January 23, 2020 at 9:45 am

    5 stars
    Now these I have got to try - these totchos look absolutely incredible. Would definitely go down a treat in my house.

    Reply
    • Traci Antonovich says

      January 23, 2020 at 10:02 am

      Haha nice! So glad you can enjoy these, Bintu 🙂 Thanks!

  7. Kelly Anthony says

    January 22, 2020 at 2:40 pm

    5 stars
    These tater tot nachos will make the perfect cheat meal or a quick dinner when I don't have anything planned.

    Reply
    • Traci Antonovich says

      January 22, 2020 at 2:45 pm

      Yes! Been there on more than one occasion 😉 So glad you can enjoy these...thanks!

  8. Jayne says

    January 22, 2020 at 2:28 pm

    5 stars
    Tater Tot's and Nachos! Fabulous. Great timing for the Super Bowl. My guests are going to love this.

    Reply
    • Traci Antonovich says

      January 22, 2020 at 2:36 pm

      Thanks, Jayne...yep, just made these for the playoffs over the weekend 🙂 Gonna make them again for the super bowl...enjoy!!

  9. Julie says

    January 22, 2020 at 2:20 pm

    5 stars
    Awesome recipe! With the exclusion of the jalapeños...I'm a wimp!
    Thanks for sharing!

    Reply
    • Traci Antonovich says

      January 22, 2020 at 2:35 pm

      Haha thanks! And no prob on the jalapenos, Julie...they come right off and the totchos are not spicy otherwise 🙂

  10. Sara Welch says

    January 22, 2020 at 1:33 pm

    5 stars
    What a savory recipe! Adding this to my dinner line up for the week; looks too good to pass up!

    Reply
    • Traci Antonovich says

      January 22, 2020 at 2:09 pm

      Perfect, Sara! So glad you can enjoy these 🙂

  11. Suzy says

    January 22, 2020 at 1:27 pm

    5 stars
    Where have these been all of my life! 🙂 So easy and so tasty! Love the jalapenos!

    Reply
    • Traci Antonovich says

      January 22, 2020 at 2:08 pm

      Haha yes, thank you...and I feel the same way about those jalapenos too! 🙂

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Hi! I'm Traci and I'm sharing my easy recipes with everyday ingredients, simple instructions, and ALL the flavor. Read more about me.

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