Jalapeño Popper Tater Tot Cups Recipe

Introduction

Jalapeño Popper Tater Tot Cups are a fun and flavorful twist on classic jalapeño poppers. Crispy tater tots form the perfect cup to hold a creamy, cheesy, and slightly spicy filling, making them ideal for parties or a tasty snack. They’re easy to make and delightfully addictive!

Ingredients

• 1 (32-ounce) bag frozen tater tots
• 8 ounces cream cheese, softened
• 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
• 2–3 tablespoons diced jalapeños
• 4 slices cooked bacon, crumbled
• ½ teaspoon garlic powder
• 2 tablespoons green onions, sliced
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

1. Step 1: Preheat your oven to 425°F. Lightly grease a mini muffin pan to prevent sticking.
2. Step 2: Place three frozen tater tots in each muffin cup and bake for 10 minutes to start crisping.
3. Step 3: Remove the pan and press the tater tots down with a spoon to form small wells. Return to the oven and bake for another 10–12 minutes, or until golden and crispy.
4. Step 4: In a bowl, combine the softened cream cheese, shredded cheddar, diced jalapeños, crumbled bacon, garlic powder, and a pinch of salt and pepper. Mix well to create a creamy filling.
5. Step 5: Spoon the filling into each tater tot cup. Sprinkle a little extra cheddar cheese on top of each one.
6. Step 6: Bake the filled cups for 8–10 minutes, until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
7. Step 7: Remove from the oven and let cool for 5 minutes. Garnish with sliced green onions before serving.

Tips & Variations

• For milder heat, remove the seeds and membranes from the jalapeños before dicing.
• Use pickled jalapeños for a tangier flavor, or fresh ones for a brighter, sharper spice.
• Skip the bacon to make a vegetarian version, or substitute with crispy smoked paprika-seasoned tofu.
• Freshly shredding cheddar cheese improves melt and texture compared to pre-shredded varieties.

Storage

Store leftover tater tot cups in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. To freeze, place baked cups in a freezer-safe container and freeze for up to 2 months. Reheat frozen cups in a 400°F oven to maintain their crispiness—avoid microwaving, which can make them soggy.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I prepare these ahead of time?

Yes, you can assemble the cups and keep them refrigerated for a few hours before baking. For longer storage, bake first and freeze them for quick reheating later.

How spicy are these tater tot cups?

The spice level depends on the jalapeños you use. Removing seeds reduces heat, while leaving them in adds more kick. You can adjust according to your preference.

Jalapeño Popper Tater Tot Cups Recipe

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4.9 from 717 reviews

Jalapeño Popper Tater Tot Cups are a delicious and easy-to-make appetizer featuring crispy baked tater tots formed into mini cups and filled with a creamy, spicy blend of cream cheese, sharp cheddar, diced jalapeños, and smoky bacon bits. Garnished with green onions and seasoned with garlic powder, these bite-sized treats combine textures and flavors perfectly for game days, parties, or casual snacking.

• Author: Rami
• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 25 minutes
• Total Time: 35 minutes
• Yield: 24 mini cups 1x
• Category: Appetizer
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American
• Diet: Low Salt

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Base

• 1 (32-ounce) bag frozen tater tots

Filling

• 8 ounces cream cheese, softened
• 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
• 2–3 tablespoons diced jalapeños (fresh or canned)
• 4 slices cooked bacon, crumbled
• ½ teaspoon garlic powder
• Salt and pepper to taste

Garnish

• 2 tablespoons green onions, sliced

Instructions

1. Preheat Oven: Set your oven to 425°F (220°C) to ensure it reaches the perfect baking temperature while you prepare the other steps.
2. Prepare Muffin Pan: Lightly grease a mini muffin pan to prevent the tater tot cups from sticking and to help them crisp evenly.
3. Initial Bake Tater Tots: Place three frozen tater tots into each mini muffin cup and bake for 10 minutes. This softens the tots and starts the cooking process.
4. Form Wells in Tots: Remove pan from the oven and gently press the partially baked tots down in each cup with a spoon to create a small well for the filling. Return to the oven and bake for an additional 10–12 minutes until the edges turn golden and crispy.
5. Mix Filling: In a bowl, combine the softened cream cheese, shredded cheddar, diced jalapeños, crumbled bacon, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Mix thoroughly until the mixture is uniform and creamy.
6. Fill Tater Tot Cups: Spoon the cream cheese mixture into each crispy tater tot cup, filling them generously but evenly. Then, top each cup with a little extra shredded cheddar cheese for a bubbly, melty finish.
7. Final Bake: Bake the filled cups for 8–10 minutes more until the cheese topping is melted and bubbling, signifying the filling is hot and ready.
8. Cool and Serve: Let the cups cool for about 5 minutes to firm up slightly before serving. Garnish with sliced green onions for a fresh touch.

Notes

• Store leftover jalapeño popper tater tot cups in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
• For longer storage, freeze the baked cups for up to 2 months. Reheat in the oven at 400°F to maintain crispiness.
• Avoid microwaving reheated cups as it tends to make them soggy and less crispy.
• Adjust the heat level by choosing fresh jalapeños with seeds for more spice or removing seeds for milder flavor.
• For a vegetarian version, omit the bacon without compromising much on flavor.

Keywords: jalapeño popper, tater tot cups, appetizer, cheesy, spicy appetizer, party snacks, bacon, cream cheese, baked tots