Crispy, golden tater tots smothered in creamy sour cream, crispy bacon, sharp cheddar, and fresh chives—what’s not to love? These Easy Loaded Tater Tot Salad with Bacon, Cheese & Chives are the ultimate comfort food. Think of them as a cross between a classic tater tot appetizer and a potato salad, but with extra crunch and bold, savory flavors.

Whether you’re serving them up for game day, a BBQ side dish, or just a fun twist on a weeknight dinner, these cheesy tater tots come together in minutes. They’re creamy, crispy, and packed with smoky bacon goodness in every bite. Trust me—this is the kind of dish that disappears fast!

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Why You’ll Love this Loaded Tot Recipe:

Quick & Easy to Make: This easy tater tot salad recipe comes together in no time, making it a go-to for busy days when you want something delicious without a lot of effort. Just bake your tater tots, toss them with bacon, cheese, and chives, and you’re ready to serve! Perfect for anyone who needs a quick appetizer or a simple side dish that doesn’t require hours of prep. Plus, it’s a great way to turn frozen tater tots into a satisfying meal in a flash.
Perfectly Crispy Tater Tots: For this recipe, achieving that ideal crispy texture is key. The crispy tater tots are the base of the dish, providing the perfect crunch to complement the creamy toppings. Whether you’re serving them as a side dish or a standalone meal, the contrast between the crispiness of the tots and the indulgent bacon and cheese makes every bite a treat. It’s the kind of dish that satisfies both your texture cravings and your taste buds.
Versatile for Any Occasion: Whether you need a party appetizer with tater tots or a quick side to pair with dinner, this tater tot salad with bacon and cheese fits the bill. Serve it at your next summer barbecue, or holiday gathering. The versatility of this recipe means it can be enjoyed as a snack, a main dish, or a side to your favorite protein. It’s also customizable to fit any occasion or dietary need.
Customizable with Endless Toppings: What’s great about this loaded tater tot salad is that you can easily mix up the toppings based on your preferences. While bacon, cheese, and chives are the classic choice, feel free to get creative! Add some ranch dressing for extra creaminess, top with fresh avocado for a refreshing twist, or even spice things up with jalapeños. With so many options, you can make this dish as simple or as loaded as you like.

Ingredient Notes:

Extra crispy tater tots: These tots provide the ideal crunchy base for your potato salad. For extra crispiness, bake them on a wire rack in the oven, which ensures even cooking and maximum crunch. You can also use air-fried tots for a slightly healthier option while still keeping the texture crispy and golden.
Sour cream: Adds a rich, creamy texture to the salad while balancing out the savory flavors. If you prefer a lighter option, you can substitute with Greek yogurt, which also adds a nice tang.
Mayonnaise: Helps bind the dressing and adds a smooth, creamy base. For a healthier alternative, use light mayo or a plant-based version if you’re avoiding dairy or eggs.
Dijon mustard: This ingredient provides a mild, tangy kick to the dressing. It complements the richness of the sour cream and mayo, balancing the flavors of the bacon and cheese. You can swap Dijon for yellow mustard if you prefer a milder flavor.
Minced garlic: Fresh garlic gives the salad a robust, aromatic flavor. If you’re in a pinch, you can use extra garlic powder or garlic paste, but fresh minced garlic will bring the most flavor to the dish.
Garlic powder: Adds an extra layer of garlic flavor to the dressing. Adjust the amount depending on your preference, but be careful not to overpower the other flavors.
Salt & pepper: Essential seasonings to bring all the flavors together. Taste and adjust as needed to balance the creaminess of the dressing and the savory bacon and cheese.
Bacon: Crispy bacon adds the perfect salty, savory crunch to this loaded tater tot salad. You can also experiment with turkey bacon or a plant-based alternative if you’re looking for a lighter or vegetarian version.
Grated cheddar cheese: The sharpness of cheddar cheese enhances the flavor profile of the dish and works beautifully with the warm tater tots. Feel free to experiment with other cheeses like Monterey Jack, mozzarella, or even a spicy pepper jack for extra flavor.
Sliced chives: Fresh chives add a burst of green color and a mild, onion-like flavor that ties the dish together. If you don’t have fresh chives, green onions or shallots can be a suitable substitute.

tater tot appetizer with bacon and cheese

Dietary Restriction & Allergy-Friendly Substitutions:

To make gluten-free:
- This recipe is naturally gluten-free as long as you use gluten-free tater tots. Be sure to check the packaging of your frozen tots to ensure they don’t contain any gluten or wheat-based ingredients. Many brands offer gluten-free versions that are just as crispy and delicious as regular tots.
To make dairy-free:
- To make this recipe dairy-free, substitute the cheddar cheese with a plant-based cheese or dairy-free shredded cheese. For the dressing, use vegan mayo and non-dairy sour cream (such as cashew cream or coconut-based sour cream). These swaps will give you a creamy, savory result without the dairy.
To make egg-free:
- If you’re avoiding eggs, be sure to choose an egg-free mayonnaise (many vegan mayo options are egg-free). The rest of the ingredients in this recipe do not contain eggs, so this substitution will allow you to enjoy the dish without any issues.
To make nut-free:
- This recipe is naturally nut-free, so no substitutions are needed for those avoiding nuts. Just double-check the labels of any plant-based ingredients (like sour cream or mayo) to ensure they are not cross-contaminated with nuts.
To make vegetarian:
- To make this recipe vegetarian, simply swap out the bacon for a plant-based bacon alternative or omit it entirely.

Additional Substitutions & Variations:

Swap out the protein:
- If you’re not a fan of bacon, you can replace it with a variety of proteins. Cooked chicken, ground beef, or pulled pork would make hearty additions to this loaded tater tot salad. For a lighter option, try grilled shrimp or turkey bacon for a ‘healthier’ take.
Add more vegetables:
- For a burst of freshness and extra texture, consider adding more vegetables. Sautéed onions, roasted bell peppers, or even spinach can make a colorful and flavorful addition to the salad. If you want something with a bit more cooling crunch, try diced celery.
Different cheeses:
- While cheddar cheese is a classic choice, you can get creative with different cheeses. Try mozzarella, or Monterey Jack for a milder, creamy flavor. For a sharper bite, Parmesan or Gouda would work beautifully.
Add a Spicy kick:
- If you like a little heat in your dish, add jalapeños or a drizzle of hot sauce to the salad. Spicy pepper jack cheese can also replace the cheddar for those who want to take the heat up a notch. For a fun twist, mix in buffalo sauce for a spicy tater tot salad variation.
Dressing Variations:
- You can also toss in a few tablespoons of ranch dressing or blue cheese dressing to amp up the flavor and texture of the dressing.
Use different potatoes:
- For a unique twist, swap out traditional tater tots for other types of potato-based options like crispy potato wedges or crinkle-cut fries. These variations provide different textures while maintaining that comforting, familiar potato flavor.

tater tot side dish with bacon and cheese

Expert Tips & Recipe Notes:

Use extra crispy tater tots to prevent sogginess:
- For the best texture, use extra crispy tater tots or cook regular tots until they’re golden brown and crunchy. This helps prevent them from getting soggy when mixed with the dressing. Baking them on a wire rack or air frying them at 400°F (200°C) for a few extra minutes ensures they stay crisp.
Let the tater tots cool slightly before mixing:
- Tossing the tots with the dressing while they’re piping hot can cause them to break down and become mushy. Let them sit for about 5 minutes after cooking so they hold their shape while still being warm enough to soak up flavor.
Balance the flavors in the dressing:
- The sour cream, mayo, and Dijon mustard create a creamy, tangy dressing. Adjust these to taste to create a dressing that suits your preferences. You can even create a bolder taste, by increasing the garlic, add a bit of smoked paprika for extra depth, or even chopped jalapenos for a bit of spice.
Cook bacon until extra crispy for maximum crunch.
- Soft bacon can get lost in the creamy dressing, so crispy bacon is key. Cook it until it’s deeply golden brown for the best texture. If making ahead, store crumbled bacon separately and sprinkle it on just before serving to keep it crisp.
Serve warm or chilled, depending on your preference.
- This loaded tater tot salad can be served warm or chilled, allowing the flavors to meld together like a classic potato salad. If serving chilled, refrigerate for at least 30 minutes before enjoying.
Make it ahead for easy entertaining.
- You can prep the dressing and toppings ahead of time and cook the tots just before serving. If you’re making the full salad in advance, store it in the fridge and give it a gentle stir before serving to redistribute the flavors.

Loaded Tater Tot Salad FAQ’s:

Can I make loaded tater tot salad ahead of time?
- Yes! You can prepare the dressing and toppings ahead of time and store them separately. For the best texture, cook the tater tots fresh and mix everything together right before serving. If serving chilled, let the potato salad sit in the fridge for at least 30 minutes to let the flavors meld.
How do I keep my tater tots from getting soggy?
- The key to preventing soggy tater tots is making sure they’re extra crispy before mixing them into the salad. Bake or air fry them until they are deeply golden brown and let them cool slightly (at least 5 minutes) before adding the dressing. You can also serve the dressing on the side to keep the tots crispy longer.
Can I serve this tater tot salad cold?
- Yes! This recipe works both warm and chilled. If serving cold, let the tater tot salad sit in the fridge for at least 30 minutes before serving to enhance the flavors. For a warm version, mix everything together right after cooking the tots and enjoy immediately.
What’s the best dip for loaded tater tot salad?
- This dish is already creamy, but if you want an extra drizzle of sauce, try ranch dressing, chipotle mayo, or a garlic aioli. A drizzle of hot sauce or Buffalo sauce can also add a spicy kick!
Can I use frozen tater tots for this recipe?
- Absolutely! Frozen tater tots work perfectly in this easy tater tot salad recipe. Just be sure to cook them extra crispy before adding them to the salad. You can bake, air fry, or deep fry them depending on your preferred method.
Can I turn this into a full meal?
- Yes! To make it a hearty meal, add extra protein like grilled chicken, pulled pork, or crumbled sausage. You can also mix in veggies like bell peppers, cherry tomatoes, or celery for more balance.

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Tried This Easy Loaded Tater Tot Salad recipe? I’d love to hear how it turned out! ⭐ Please leave a star rating and review in the recipe card below—your feedback helps others discover this creamy, flavorful dish. Follow me on Instagram and Pinterest for more delicious recipes, travel inspiration, and behind-the-scenes content.