Crispy Cheesy Loaded Tater Tots aka Tachos

Delicious Loaded Tater Tots, also known as "tachos" are the ULTIMATE comfort food! These golden nuggets of joy are the perfect blend of crunchy, cheesy, and downright addictive. And to make them even better, we'll be using Oléico® high oleic safflower oil for that extra crispy, guilt-free indulgence.

this idea!

I am happy to share that I partnered with Oléico® to bring you this deliciously crunchy appetizer!

Jump to:

• Watch Me Make Tachos!
• Tachos: An Irresistable Comfort Food Combo
• How Do You Make Loaded Tater Tots?
• Ingredients To Make Loaded Tater Tots
• Cooking Steps
• Final Loaded Tater Tot Tips
• Other Popular Appetizers
• 📖 Recipe
• 💬 Comments

Watch Me Make Tachos!

Tachos: An Irresistable Comfort Food Combo

Alright, gather 'round because we're about to dive headfirst into the epic saga of loaded tater tots aka TACHOS! Now, tater tots and nachos have always been a favorite guilty pleasure, right?

But what if I told you that somewhere along the way, some genius decided to combine these two classics into a single, mouthwatering creation? Yes, that's right – tachos were born! Not really a saga but you get the point.

Crispy, golden tater tots piled high with all the glorious toppings you'd expect on a plate of nachos. The first time I heard of Tachos I was in Disney World. My brother ordered it for breakfast and I was shocked I haven't heard of it before.

So naturally, I went home and tried to make some for myself and VOILA, here is the result!

How Do You Make Loaded Tater Tots?

Instead of tortilla chips, we're going to use crispy tater tots as our base.

Then, we'll load them up with all the delicious toppings you'd find on traditional nachos – cheese, sour cream, bacon, and more. The result? A heavenly snack or appetizer that's perfect for game day, movie night, or any time you're craving comfort food!

Ingredients To Make Loaded Tater Tots

• Frozen tater tots- Choose a good brand.
• Shredded cheddar cheese- I prefer a mixture of colby jack, Monterey and cheddar.
• Bacon- Cook and crumbled into bits. Do not buy pre-made bacon bits!
• Chives- I prefer chives but scallions or green onions are great too.
• Tomatoes- I love the added freshness of tomatoes.
• Sour cream- A must on nachos. Thin it out a bit so you can drizzle it over top.
• *Oil for frying- I love Oléico® high oleic safflower oil because it is a monosaturated fat which is considered to be a healthy fat AND it has a high smoke point so it's ideal for deep frying at high temperatures like we need to do for our tachos.

Cooking Steps

1. Heat Up Your Frying Oil:

• Pour Oléico® High Oleic Safflower Oil into a deep fryer or a heavy-bottomed pot. You want enough oil to fully submerge your tater tots.
• Heat the oil to about 350°F - 375°F (175°C-200°C). Use a heat thermometer to keep an eye on the temperature. I love my infrared thermometer because it's fast!

2. Prepare the Tater Tots:

• While the oil is heating up, lay out your frozen tater tots on a paper towel to remove any excess moisture. Dry tater tots fry up better, so this step is essential for ultimate crispiness.

3. Fry the Tater Tots:

• Once the oil reaches the right temperature, carefully add a handful of tater tots into the hot oil. Be cautious to avoid splatters.
• Fry the tater tots until they're golden brown and crispy, usually about 3-4 minutes. You can do this in batches, depending on the size of your fryer or pot.

4. Drain and Season:

• Use a slotted spoon or a spider to remove the fried tater tots and let them drain on a plate lined with paper towels.
• While they're still hot, season with a pinch of salt and pepper.

5. Load 'Em Up:

• Here comes the fun part! Pile your crispy tater tots on a serving plate or tray trying to shape them into a mountain.
• Sprinkle a generous amount of shredded cheddar cheese over the tots along with the bacon bits.

6. Pop In The Oven

• Add your tots to the oven for 5 minutes or until the cheese just begins to melt.

7. Finish Your Tots:

• Transfer to a serving platter carefully and top with a drizzle or dollop of sour cream, diced tomatoes, and fresh chives. Feel free to customize your toppings as you like!

Why Oleico's High Oleic Safflower Oil?

You can find Oléico® high oleic safflower oil at your local Publix. I love it for tachos. (It's a game-changer!) It has a high smoke point means you'll achieve that coveted crispy texture without any unpleasant burnt flavors. Plus, it's heart-healthy making your indulgence a tad bit guilt-free.

Final Loaded Tater Tot Tips

1. Choose the Right Tater Tots:

• Start with good quality frozen tater tots. Look for ones that are crispy and well-seasoned. The quality of your base makes a big difference.

2. Use The Right Oil:

• Choose the right oil for frying makes a huge difference. You want one that will not leave a burnt or fryer taste behind or one that will burn at high temperatures. Oléico® high oleic safflower oil is my new go-to oil for frying because it can withstand high temperatures without affecting the flavor of your food.

2. Optimal Frying Temperature:

• When deep frying your tater tots, maintain the oil temperature at around 350°F (175°C). This ensures they cook evenly and become wonderfully crispy.

3. Proper Oil Drainage:

• After frying, let the tater tots drain on a paper towel-lined plate or rack to remove excess oil. This step prevents them from becoming too greasy.

4. Season While Hot:

• Season your tater tots with salt and pepper immediately after removing them from the oil. The hot surface will help the seasonings stick better.

5. Layer Toppings Strategically:

• When loading your tater tots, consider the order of toppings. Start with cheese, so it melts onto the tots. Follow with cold toppings like sour cream, guacamole, and diced tomatoes. Finish with fresh toppings like green onions or cilantro.

6. Get Creative with Toppings:

• Customize your tachos with your favorite toppings. Think outside the box with ingredients like pulled pork, chili, bacon, or different types of cheeses to create unique flavor combinations.

7. Avoid Soggy Tachos:

• To prevent your tachos from getting soggy, make sure your toppings are not too watery. Drain ingredients like salsa or jalapeños well to maintain the crispiness of the tater tots.

8. Preheat Oven for Melted Cheese:

• If you prefer baking your tater tots in the oven, preheat it to melt the cheese. After topping the tots, bake them for a few minutes until the cheese is bubbly and gooey.

9. Serve Hot and Fresh:

• Tachos are best enjoyed immediately while they're hot and crispy. Don't let them sit too long, or they may lose their crunch.

 

Other Popular Appetizers

📖 Recipe