This delicious Loaded Tater Tots recipe with Buffalo Aioli is basically the potato version of nachos. And they're good. Real good.
Crispy tots are smothered with Buffalo Aioli and topped with blue cheese crumbles and parsley to make an easy appetizer that is quick to make and perfect for any party.
This smothered tater tot recipe has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #RaceDayRelief #CollectiveBias
This dish was inspired by my family's (not mine) love of spicy chicken wings. There was a very brief time (seriously, only months long) when I enjoyed the Buffalo flavor. But I knew that it would create a flavorful sauce and that they would love me forever.
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Why This Recipe Works
This recipe is also nacho-adjacent. And nachos are my happy food. So I decided to give loaded tots a try.
Like my Blue Cheese Nachos with Potato Chips and my Sheet Pan Nachos, this easy recipe can be a yummy snack or turned into a full dinner.
The crispy tater tots bake up fast in the oven (or if you have an air fryer - you can make them even faster!). The Buffalo aioli is spicy, bold and just the right amount of creamy.
Aiolis are simple, mayo-based sauces that are totally versatile. This one couldn't be easier to make with just a few spices and some prepared Buffalo sauce. The sauce took literally 2 minutes to make.
The blue cheese gives a tangy counterpoint to the spice and is the perfect way to finish off these loaded tater tots.
The only other prep work that needs to be done is to chop some parsley. It's so easy!
It's a delicious recipe to make for your family or to serve at any party! These would be amazing at a football party or paired with a family snack board.
Ingredients
Scroll down to the printable recipe card to find the exact quantities.
If you can't buy ready-made blue cheese crumbles, just crumble the blue cheese yourself with a fork.
You can use gorgonzola if you can't find blue cheese. It is usually a little bit less tangy and a little bit more creamy.
Instructions
1. Prepare the tater tots
Bake the tater tots according to the instructions on the package.
2. Make the Buffalo Aioli
As they are baking, mix up the Buffalo Aioli sauce.
Mix the mayo, Buffalo wing sauce, garlic powder and paprika together in a bowl.
3. Move to a serving bowl
When the tots are finished, move them to your serving bowl.
4. Top the tater tots
Drizzle on a hearty amount of the Buffalo aioli.
Top with blue cheese crumbles then finish with a sprinkle of parsley.
Variations
- Load them up - You can make these even Tots with Buffalo Aioli more loaded by adding bacon, sliced celery, chopped red onion or even a drizzle of ranch.
- BBQ Chicken - Ditch the Buffalo Aioli and use barbecue sauce instead. Pulled chicken, jack cheese, red onion and cilantro would be delicious on these "totchos".
- Taco - Top the potato tots with all your favorite taco toppings! A drizzle of enchilada sauce would be super tasty too.
- Top it like a potato - Anything you add to a baked potato would work perfectly on top of some tater tots. Add sour cream, bacon bits, broccoli, cheddar - the works!
- Swap the tots - Use a sweet potato frozen tot instead!
Top Tips
- I usually overbake the tater tots to get them super crispy.
- Also, make sure you aren't crowding the pan with the tots when you bake them. Use two sheets if you have to so they can all be in a single layer and not touch each other.
- Want to skip the aioli, you totally can. Just drizzle the tater tots with straight Buffalo sauce.
- Even though I'm not a huge Buffalo sauce fan, this is still a delicious recipe. You can always reduce the amount of buffalo sauce in the aioli to make it more pleasing to your mouth.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, you can pan-fry tater tots. You would usually use a little bit of oil or fat (like bacon grease). While delicious, I think for totchos baked is better. Too much oil could make the tots soggy which is not great when you are adding a sauce or trying to eat them as a finger food.
You can save any leftover tots with Buffalo aioli in an air-tight container in the fridge. However, they will be soggy. With the aioli, you can reheat in the microwave but they won't be crispy. Any leftover plain tater tots can be reheated in an oven or air fryer to crisp up.
These Loaded Tater Tots with Buffalo Aioli are the perfect party or snack food. They are flavorful, so easy and perfect to eat with your fingers.
More party food ideas
- Warm Bacon Cheese Dip
- The Best Chip Dip. Ever.
- Goat Cheese Pizza with Brussels Sprouts, Sausage and Bacon
- Jalapeno Cream Cheese Dip
- Baked Salami Chips
- Spiced Tortilla Chips
- Hot Dog Bar Ideas
Loaded Tater Tots with Buffalo Aioli
Ingredients
- 16 ounce Frozen Tater Tots
- ½ cup mayonnaise
- ¼ cup prepared Buffalo wing sauce such as Frank's Red Hot Sauce
- ⅛ teaspoon garlic powder
- ⅛ teaspoon paprika
- ⅓ cup crumbled blue cheese
- 2 tablespoon chopped parsley
Instructions
- Mix the mayo, wing sauce, garlic powder and paprika together in a bowl.
- Keep it in the fridge, covered, until ready to serve.
- Prepare tater tots per package directions.
- Once tater tots are done, transfer them to your serving dish.
- Pour Buffalo aioli over the tater tots.
- Sprinkle on blue cheese crumbles and chopped parsley.
- Serve immediately.
Notes
Variations
- Load them up - You can make these even Tater Tots with Buffalo Aioli more loaded by adding bacon, sliced celery, chopped red onion or even a drizzle of ranch.
- BBQ Chicken - Ditch the Buffalo Aioli and use barbecue sauce instead. Pulled chicken, jack cheese, red onion and cilantro would be delicious on these "totchos".
- Taco - Top the potato tots with all your favorite taco toppings! A drizzle of enchilada sauce would be super tasty too.
- Top it like a potato - Anything you add to a baked potato would work perfectly on top of some tater tots. Add sour cream, bacon bits, broccoli, cheddar - the works!
- Swap the tots - Use a sweet potato frozen tot instead!
Top Tips
- I usually overbake the tater tots to get them super crispy.
- Also, make sure you aren't crowding the pan with the tots. Use two sheets if you have to so they can all be in a single layer and not touch each other.
- Want to skip the aioli, you totally can. Just drizzle the tater tots with straight Buffalo sauce.
- Even though I'm not a huge Buffalo sauce fan, this is still a delicious recipe. You can always reduce the amount of buffalo sauce in the aioli to make it more pleasing to your mouth.
Amy Desrosiers says
Yum! These look so good! I need to make them for my next game day celebration! #client
Sharon Garofalow says
They are delicious! And SO easy!