These loaded tailgate tots are perfect for game day! They are loaded with 2 cheeses, onions, jalapeños, bacon and then drizzled with BBQ sauce. 

With preseason games wrapping up this week, football season is about to officially kick off. And we’re pretty excited around here! Not only are we excited to see our Seahawks play, but we are excited for all things football and all things tailgating. This excitement is what made me want to collaborate with other food bloggers from all over the country to bring you SIXTY FOUR recipes perfect for tailgating. Click the links below join in on the fun! 

But before we get to those links, here is my contribution: Loaded Tailgate Tots.

These loaded tailgate tots are perfect for game day! They are loaded with 2 cheeses, onions, jalapeños, bacon and then drizzled with BBQ sauce.

I wanted to do something quick, easy and cheesy. I also wanted something that you could make if you were tailgating at the stadium and these Loaded Tailgate Tots are perfect. They are made on the grill in a cast iron skillet and loaded. I mean LOADED with all kinds of goodies. We’re talking pepper jack cheese, cheddar cheese, jalapeños, onions, bacon and BBQ sauce.

Like I said, loaded.

These loaded tailgate tots are perfect for game day! They are loaded with 2 cheeses, onions, jalapeños, bacon and then drizzled with BBQ sauce.

I cooked these on the grill because I wanted to make sure that I shared something that you could make while you were tailgating but they could also easily be made in the oven instead. The bottom gets perfectly browned and crispy. And the top gets all melty and cheesy. They are tater tot perfection.

If cheese, bacon, jalapeños and BBQ sauce aren’t your thing, you could also make all kinds of changes. Different cheeses. Maybe do a pizza version with mozzarella and pepperoni. Or if you’re making chili at your tailgating celebration top these tots with some hot chili and shredded cheddar. They are super versatile, and perfect for football season!

And don’t forget to check out all the links below for more football fun!

64 recipes for the perfect football tailgate! Check out everything from appetizer recipes, entree recipes, cocktail recipes, dessert recipes, side dish recipes and more to cheer on your team! #foodiefootballfans

64 recipes for the perfect football tailgate! Check out everything from appetizer recipes, entree recipes, cocktail recipes, dessert recipes, side dish recipes and more to cheer on your team! #foodiefootballfans

Salsa Verde by A Dish of Daily Life
Slow Cooker Sausage Corn Dip by A Joyfully Mad Kitchen
Grilled Jalapeno Poppers by A Mind Full Mom
Black Bottom Maple Pecan Pie Bars by An Oregon Cottage
Blackberry BBQ Sticky Wings by Around My Family Table
Cheesy Pull Apart Garlic Bread by Beer Girl Cooks
Roasted Garlic BBQ Chicken Wings Recipe by Bread Booze Bacon
Smoky Jalapeno Poppers by Brunch-n-Bites
Loaded Sweet Potato Nachos by Bucket List Tummy
Chicken Spinach & Artichoke Dip French Bread by Cake ‘n Knife
Cuban Sandwich Quesadillas by Casa de Crews
Grilled Asparagus Spears by Celebrating Family
Sea Bass Skewers + Blackbeard Cocktails by Culinary Adventures with Camilla
Buffalo Chicken Poppers by Dash of Herbs
Easy Chicken Roll Ups with Cream Cheese and Veggies by Family Food on the Table
Bottled Tailgate Cocktails by Feast + West
Loaded Guacamole by foodbyjonister
Cincinnati Nachos by Foodtastic Mom
Cajun Red Beans and Andouille Sausage Stuffed Mushrooms by For the Love of Food
Grilled Shrimp Pizza by Glisten and Grace
Mini Bell Pepper Nachos by Hello Little Home
Slow Cooker Sweet Spicy Meatballs by Honey & Birch
Ricotta & Fig Bites by Living Well Kitchen
{Slow Cooker} BBQ Pulled Pork Sandwiches by Love Bakes Good Cakes
Tailgate Bloody Marys by Loves Food, Loves to Eat
Sweet Korean Chicken Wings by Macheesmo
Bacon Wrapped Tater Tots by Me and My Pink Mixer
Crab Pretzels by Mom’s Messy Miracles
Build Your Own Bloody Mary Bar by Off the Eaten Path
Old Fashioned Sweet by Peanut Blossom
Texas Toothpicks with Buttermilk Ranch by See Aimee Cook
Pretzel Turkey Meatballs (GF, DF, SF) by Shaws Simple Swaps
Focaccia Pizza by Simplify, Live, Love
Sweet Potato Skins Stuffed with BBQ Ranch Pulled Pork by Sustaining the Powers
Bacon-Wrapped Cheeseburger Bites by The BakerMama
Buffalo Chicken Pasta Salad by The Creative Bite
Old Bay Trail Mix by The Culinary Compass
Meat Lover’s Pizza Bites by The Life Jolie
Grilled Asian Chicken Wings & Shishito Peppers by The Secret Ingredient Is
Blackened Shrimp Tacos by The Speckled Palate
Grilled Sauerkraut Stuffed Brats by West via Midwest

Note: This post is in no way sponsored, endorsed or administered by the National Football League (NFL) or any of its teams. All opinions and views expressed on our blogs are our own, not that of the NFL and/or any of its 32 teams. Any team names, logos or other symbols referenced are properties of their respective organizations. We are just big fans — and we want to share our love for our teams, the game and the food that brings us all together on game day.

Loaded Tailgate Tots
5m
Prep
20m
Cook
25m
Total

Servings

2

Ingredients

  • 1/2 bag frozen tater tots (about 12 ounces tots)
  • 5 slices bacon (diced)
  • 1 1/2 cups shredded pepper jack cheese
  • 1 1/2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
  • 1 jalapeno (diced)
  • 1/2 medium onion chopped
  • BBQ Sauce

Instructions

  1. Preheat a grill to 425 degrees.
  2. Place frozen tater tots in a single layer on the bottom of a cast iron skillet. Cover with aluminum foil and cook on grill for 15 minutes.
  3. While tater tots are cooking, cook bacon in a skillet over medium heat until browned and cooked through. Transfer to a paper towel lined plate.
  4. Remove tots from the grill top with shredded cheeses, jalapeño, onion and bacon. Cover with aluminum and cook for 5 minutes. Remove aluminum foil and cook just a few more minutes or until cheese is melted and tater tots are brown. Remove tots from grill, drizzle with bbq sauce and serve immediately.
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  3. Man and Van March 2, 2021

    Perfect game day eats! I’m all about the toppings so of course I love how seriously loaded up these tots are – delicious! Pinned!

  4. how to draw January 23, 2021

    Such a great idea to use tater tots as the base for this recipe! I need to make this right now!

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    Perfect game day eats! I’m all about the toppings so of course I love how seriously loaded up these tots are – delicious! Pinned!

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  30. Lecy | A Simpler Grace August 31, 2016

    Such a great idea to use tater tots as the base for this recipe! I need to make this right now!

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    Thank you so much for the heads up!

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