Bacon-Wrapped Jalapeño Tater Tot Bites
Dive into this deliciously addictive appetizer that combines crispy bacon, savory tater tots, and a kick of jalapeño flavor! These Bacon-Wrapped Jalapeño Tater Tot Bites are a perfect party snack, combining mouthwatering ingredients that are deep-fried to golden perfection. Each bite features a tasty tater tot encased in a bacon slice, with a zing from the jalapeño, and topped with gooey cheddar cheese. Serve them with cool ranch dressing for a crowd-pleasing treat that will have everyone coming back for more!
N/A
Servings
250
Calories
6
Ingredients
Ingredients
frozen tater tots
1 (32-ounce bag)
bacon
12 (ounces, each slice cut in half)
pickled jalapeño peppers or fresh jalapeños
16 (ounces or 2 jalapeños, sliced)
cheddar cheese
1 (cup, shredded)
ranch dressing
1/2 (cup, for dipping)
toothpicks
as needed (for securing bacon)
Instructions
1
Begin by slightly defrosting the frozen tater tots so that they’re easier to work with and to ensure the toothpicks can easily pierce through them.
2
Take a slice of pickled jalapeño (or fresh jalapeño) and place it against a tater tot. Wrap a half slice of bacon around the tot, securing it with a toothpick to hold everything in place.
3
Repeat the process until you have wrapped as many tater tots as you desire.
4
Preheat your deep fryer (or a deep pot with oil) to 375°F (190°C). Carefully add the wrapped tater tots into the hot oil, frying them in batches to avoid overcrowding.
5
Fry for about 3-4 minutes, or until the bacon is crispy and golden brown, and the tots are heated through. If you'd like, you can freeze any leftover bites for future snacking.
6
Once cooked, immediately sprinkle the hot bites with shredded cheddar cheese, allowing it to melt slightly. Serve warm with a side of ranch dressing for dipping.
Nutrition Information
17
Fat
15
Carbs
10
Protein
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What are Bacon-Wrapped Jalapeño Tater Tot Bites?
They are a crispy, savory appetizer made of tater tots wrapped in bacon with a slice of jalapeño, deep-fried and topped with cheddar cheese.
How many ingredients are required for this recipe?
There are 6 ingredients in total: frozen tater tots, bacon, jalapeños, cheddar cheese, ranch dressing, and toothpicks.
Should I defrost the tater tots before starting?
Yes, you should slightly defrost the frozen tater tots so they are easier to work with and can be easily pierced by toothpicks.
What kind of jalapeños should I use?
You can use either 16 ounces of pickled jalapeño peppers or 2 fresh sliced jalapeños.
How much bacon is needed?
The recipe calls for 12 ounces of bacon, with each slice cut in half.
What temperature should the frying oil be?
Preheat your deep fryer or deep pot with oil to 375°F (190°C).
How long do the tater tot bites need to fry?
Fry them for about 3-4 minutes until the bacon is crispy and golden brown.
How do I assemble the bites?
Place a jalapeño slice against a tater tot, wrap it with a half slice of bacon, and secure it with a toothpick.
What type of cheese is used for the topping?
The recipe uses 1 cup of shredded cheddar cheese.
When should I add the cheddar cheese?
Immediately sprinkle the cheese onto the hot bites after they come out of the fryer so it can melt slightly.
What dipping sauce goes best with these bites?
Cool ranch dressing is recommended for dipping.
Can I freeze leftover bites?
Yes, you can freeze any leftover bites for future snacking.
How many calories are in a serving?
There are 250 calories per serving.
How much fat is in this appetizer?
This recipe contains 17 grams of fat per serving.
What is the carbohydrate count?
There are 15 grams of carbohydrates per serving.
How much protein is in each serving?
There are 10 grams of protein per serving.
What size bag of tater tots should I buy?
The recipe specifies one 32-ounce bag of frozen tater tots.
Why should I fry them in batches?
Frying in batches avoids overcrowding the oil, which ensures the bacon gets crispy and the tots cook evenly.
What is the purpose of the toothpicks?
Toothpicks are used to secure the bacon and jalapeño slice to the tater tot during the frying process.
Are these suitable for a party?
Yes, they are a perfect party snack and crowd-pleasing treat.
What is the main flavor profile of this snack?
It combines crispy, savory bacon with a kick of heat from the jalapeño and gooey cheese.
Do I need a deep fryer?
You can use either a deep fryer or a deep pot filled with oil.
How do I know the tots are cooked through?
After 3-4 minutes of frying, the tots will be heated through and the bacon will be golden brown.
Can I use fresh jalapeños?
Yes, two fresh jalapeños, sliced, can be used instead of pickled ones.
How much ranch dressing is needed for dipping?
The recipe suggests 1/2 cup of ranch dressing.
What categories does this recipe fall under?
This recipe is categorized as an appetizer, snack, and party food.
Is there any fiber or sugar in this recipe?
The recipe data indicates that fiber and sugar contents are null or not specified.
What is the primary protein source?
The primary protein sources are bacon and cheddar cheese.
How should I serve these?
Serve them warm immediately after the cheese has melted, accompanied by ranch dressing.
What technique ensures the toothpicks go in easily?
Slightly defrosting the tater tots is the key technique to make them soft enough for the toothpicks.