Introduction
Baked Bacon-Wrapped Tater Tots are a delightful and mouthwatering appetizer that combines the crispy texture of tater tots with the savory, smoky flavor of bacon. This delicious dish is perfect for parties, game day snacks, or any gathering where you want to impress your guests with a unique and tasty treat.
The combination of crispy tater tots and bacon creates a harmonious blend of flavors and textures that will leave everyone wanting more.
One of the best things about Baked Bacon-Wrapped Tater Tots is their simplicity. With just a few ingredients and minimal preparation, you can create a crowd-pleasing appetizer that looks and tastes gourmet.
The ease of preparation makes this dish an excellent choice for busy hosts who want to serve something delicious without spending hours in the kitchen.
These bite-sized treats are incredibly versatile. You can serve them on their own or with a variety of dipping sauces to suit your guests’ preferences. Popular choices include ranch dressing, barbecue sauce, or spicy aioli. The versatility of this dish makes it a hit with both kids and adults alike.
Baking the tater tots wrapped in bacon adds a healthier twist to this indulgent snack. By baking instead of frying, you reduce the amount of added fat and calories, making them a slightly healthier option without sacrificing flavor. Plus, baking ensures that the bacon becomes crispy and perfectly cooked, adding to the overall appeal of the dish.
Bacon-wrapped tater tots are not only delicious but also visually appealing. The sight of golden-brown bacon wrapped around crispy tater tots is enough to make anyone’s mouth water. Their attractive presentation makes them a standout appetizer that will catch everyone’s eye at your next gathering.
This dish is also perfect for meal prep. You can assemble the bacon-wrapped tater tots ahead of time and store them in the refrigerator until you’re ready to bake them. This makes it easy to plan ahead and ensures that you have a delicious appetizer ready to go when your guests arrive.
Whether you’re hosting a casual get-together or a more formal event, Baked Bacon-Wrapped Tater Tots are a surefire way to impress your guests. Their delightful combination of flavors, textures, and ease of preparation make them a must-try recipe that will quickly become a favorite in your appetizer repertoire.
Ingredients
2 cups frozen tater tots
1 pound bacon, cut into thirds
1/4 cup brown sugar
1 teaspoon smoked paprika
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon onion powder
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or aluminum foil for easy cleanup.
In a small bowl, combine the brown sugar, smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, and black pepper. Mix well to create a flavorful spice rub.
Cut the bacon slices into thirds. Each piece of bacon should be just long enough to wrap around one tater tot.
Take one tater tot and wrap it with a piece of bacon. Secure the bacon in place with a toothpick. Repeat this process until all the tater tots are wrapped in bacon.
Roll each bacon-wrapped tater tot in the spice rub mixture, ensuring that each piece is evenly coated with the spices.
Place the bacon-wrapped tater tots on the prepared baking sheet, spacing them evenly apart to ensure even cooking.
Bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes, or until the bacon is crispy and the tater tots are heated through. Rotate the tater tots halfway through the baking time to ensure even cooking.
Remove the tater tots from the oven and let them cool slightly before serving. The bacon will continue to crisp up as they cool.
Transfer the bacon-wrapped tater tots to a serving platter and remove the toothpicks before serving.
Serve the Baked Bacon-Wrapped Tater Tots with your favorite dipping sauces and enjoy.
How to Make
Start by selecting high-quality bacon and frozen tater tots. The quality of the ingredients will impact the final flavor and texture of the dish.
Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) and prepare a baking sheet by lining it with parchment paper or aluminum foil. This step ensures easy cleanup and prevents the tater tots from sticking.
In a small bowl, mix together the brown sugar, smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, and black pepper. This flavorful spice rub adds depth and complexity to the dish.
Cut the bacon slices into thirds. This size is perfect for wrapping around the tater tots, ensuring that each bite is filled with smoky, savory bacon.
Wrap each tater tot with a piece of bacon, securing it in place with a toothpick. This step keeps the bacon from unraveling during baking.
Roll the bacon-wrapped tater tots in the spice rub mixture, coating them evenly with the flavorful spices. This step ensures that each bite is packed with flavor.
Place the bacon-wrapped tater tots on the prepared baking sheet, spacing them evenly apart. This allows for even cooking and ensures that the bacon becomes crispy.
Bake the tater tots in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes, rotating them halfway through the baking time. This ensures that the bacon is crispy and the tater tots are heated through.
Remove the baking sheet from the oven and let the tater tots cool slightly before serving. This allows the bacon to continue crisping up and makes them easier to handle.
Transfer the bacon-wrapped tater tots to a serving platter and remove the toothpicks before serving. This step ensures that they are ready to eat and enjoy.
Tips
Use high-quality bacon for the best flavor and texture. Thick-cut bacon works particularly well for this recipe.
Ensure that the tater tots are evenly coated with the spice rub. This adds an extra layer of flavor to each bite.
Space the bacon-wrapped tater tots evenly on the baking sheet. This allows for even cooking and ensures that the bacon becomes crispy.
Rotate the tater tots halfway through the baking time. This ensures that they cook evenly and the bacon crisps up nicely on all sides.
Let the tater tots cool slightly before serving. The bacon will continue to crisp up as they cool, making them even more delicious.
Experiment with different spices in the rub. Adding a pinch of cayenne pepper or chili powder can add a nice kick to the dish.
Serve the bacon-wrapped tater tots with a variety of dipping sauces. Popular choices include ranch dressing, barbecue sauce, and spicy aioli.
Make the bacon-wrapped tater tots ahead of time and store them in the refrigerator until you’re ready to bake them. This makes it easy to plan ahead for parties and gatherings.
Use a toothpick to secure the bacon around the tater tots. This keeps the bacon from unraveling during baking and ensures a neat presentation.
Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Reheat in the oven to maintain their crispy texture.
Conclusion
Baked Bacon-Wrapped Tater Tots are a delicious and versatile appetizer that is sure to impress your guests. The combination of crispy tater tots and savory bacon creates a harmonious blend of flavors and textures that is both satisfying and indulgent.
This dish is incredibly easy to prepare, making it an excellent choice for busy hosts who want to serve something delicious without spending hours in the kitchen. The simplicity of the recipe ensures that you can create a gourmet appetizer with minimal effort.
Bacon-wrapped tater tots are not only delicious but also visually appealing. Their golden-brown, crispy exterior and flavorful interior make them a standout appetizer that will catch everyone’s eye at your next gathering.
Baking the tater tots instead of frying adds a healthier twist to this indulgent snack. It reduces the amount of added fat and calories, making them a slightly healthier option without sacrificing flavor.
The versatility of this dish allows you to serve it with a variety of dipping sauces to suit your guests’ preferences. Whether you choose ranch dressing, barbecue sauce, or spicy aioli, the bacon-wrapped tater tots are sure to be a hit.
This dish is perfect for meal prep, as you can assemble the bacon-wrapped tater tots ahead of time and store them in the refrigerator until you’re ready to bake them. This makes it easy to plan ahead and ensures that you have a delicious appetizer ready to go when your guests arrive.
Embrace the deliciousness and simplicity of Baked Bacon-Wrapped Tater Tots. With their rich flavors, appealing textures, and ease of preparation, they are a must-try recipe that will quickly become a favorite in your appetizer repertoire. Enjoy every bite and share this delightful treat with your loved ones.