Crispy Tater Tot Appetizer Cups

Crispy Tater Tot Appetizer Cups are fun, bite-sized snacks made by pressing tater tots into muffin tins and baking them into golden, crunchy cups ready to be filled with your favorite toppings. I love making these when I want a playful, customizable appetizer that’s guaranteed to be a hit at any party or get-together.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

I like this recipe because it’s easy to make with just a few ingredients and can be endlessly adapted based on what I have on hand. The tater tots bake into the perfect crisp shell that holds up to creamy, cheesy, or savory fillings. Whether I’m feeding a crowd or just myself, these little cups disappear fast.

ingredients

(Here’s a tip: Check out the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)

• Frozen tater tots

• Shredded cheddar cheese

• Sour cream or ranch dressing

• Green onions, chopped

• Olive oil or cooking spray

• Salt and black pepper

• Optional toppings: diced tomatoes, avocado, jalapeños, chopped cooked chicken or veggies

directions

1. I preheat the oven to 425°F and lightly grease a mini muffin pan.

2. I place 3–4 tater tots in each muffin cup and bake for about 10 minutes until softened.

3. I remove them from the oven and use a small spoon or the bottom of a shot glass to press the tots down and up the sides to form a cup shape.

4. I return the pan to the oven and bake for another 15 minutes, or until the cups are crispy and golden brown.

5. I let them cool for a few minutes, then carefully remove them from the pan.

6. I fill each cup with cheese, a dollop of sour cream or ranch, and a sprinkle of green onions or other toppings.

7. I serve them warm, with extra toppings on the side if desired.

Servings and timing

This recipe makes 24 mini tater tot cups and takes about 35 minutes total — 10 minutes prep and 25 minutes bake time.

Variations

Sometimes I mix a little cooked bacon or roasted veggies into the filling for extra flavor. I’ve also made a Tex-Mex version with taco-seasoned ground beef, salsa, and cheddar, or a breakfast twist with scrambled eggs and cheese. The filling options are endless.

storage/reheating

I store leftovers in the fridge for up to 3 days. To reheat, I use the oven or air fryer at 375°F for 5–7 minutes to get the cups crispy again. I avoid microwaving to keep them from getting soggy.

FAQs

Can I make these ahead of time?

Yes — I bake the tater tot cups and store them empty in the fridge. Then I reheat and fill them just before serving.

Do I need to thaw the tater tots first?

No — I use them straight from the freezer. They soften enough during the first bake to press into shape.

Can I use regular muffin tins?

Yes — for larger cups, I use regular muffin tins with 5–6 tots each. They take a few minutes longer to bake and crisp up.

What fillings work best?

I love using sour cream, cheese, chopped veggies, and herbs. Anything that isn’t too watery will work well inside the crispy cups.

Are these gluten-free?

Yes — most tater tots are naturally gluten-free, but I always double-check the packaging to be sure.

Conclusion

Crispy Tater Tot Appetizer Cups are a playful and delicious way to serve up snacks that everyone will love. They’re crunchy, easy to make, and totally versatile with whatever toppings I’m in the mood for. Whether for game day, parties, or just a fun twist on dinner, these little bites always hit the spot.

Crispy Tater Tot Appetizer Cups

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• Author: Linda
• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 25 minutes
• Total Time: 35 minutes
• Yield: 24 mini cups
• Category: Appetizer
• Method: Baked
• Cuisine: American
• Diet: Gluten Free

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Description

Crispy Tater Tot Appetizer Cups are golden, bite-sized cups made by baking and shaping tater tots in a mini muffin tin — perfect for holding creamy, cheesy, or savory toppings in a fun and delicious presentation.

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Ingredients

• 72 frozen tater tots (about 3 per mini muffin cup)
• 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
• 1/2 cup sour cream or ranch dressing
• 2 green onions, chopped
• Olive oil or cooking spray
• Salt and black pepper, to taste
• Optional toppings: diced tomatoes, avocado, jalapeños, chopped cooked chicken or veggies

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Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 425°F and lightly grease a 24-cup mini muffin tin.
2. Place 3 tater tots into each muffin cup and bake for 10 minutes.
3. Remove from oven and press the tots down and up the sides to form cups.
4. Return to oven and bake an additional 15 minutes or until golden and crispy.
5. Let cool slightly, then remove from pan.
6. Fill each cup with shredded cheese, a dollop of sour cream or ranch, and chopped green onions.
7. Add optional toppings and serve warm.

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Notes

• Add cooked bacon, roasted veggies, or taco-seasoned beef for extra flavor.
• Use regular muffin tins for larger servings, adjusting tater tot quantity and bake time.
• Reheat in oven or air fryer for best crispiness.
• Most tater tots are gluten-free — always check labels to confirm.

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Nutrition

• Serving Size: 2 cups
• Calories: 150
• Sugar: 1g
• Sodium: 280mg
• Fat: 9g
• Saturated Fat: 4g
• Unsaturated Fat: 4g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 13g
• Fiber: 1g
• Protein: 4g
• Cholesterol: 15mg