Cheesy Loaded Tots

Name: Cheesy Loaded Tots
Total time: 25 min
Yield: 4 servings
Ingredients: 32 oz frozen tater tots; 1½ cup shredded sharp cheddar; ½ cup cooked bacon, crumbled; 3 tbsp scallions, sliced; ½ cup sour cream; pickled jalapeños (optional), to taste

Extra-crispy tots under melted sharp cheddar and bacon, topped with sour cream and scallions.

Why it works: The tots get fully crisp before the cheese goes on, so they stay crunchy under the melt; sharp cheddar and pickled jalapeño cut the richness.

Total about 25 minNot yet family-testedSettings verified

Fine-tuned settings

Air Fryer (4 qt)

Air Fry 360°F 18–22 min

Zone/accessory: Basket

Tip: Chart amount: 1 lb; do 2 batches for 2 lb.

Air Fryer Pro (5 qt)

Air Fry 360°F 15–20 min

Zone/accessory: Basket

Tip: Shake halfway.

Crispi Glass (4 qt)

Max Crisp Max Crisp preset (425–450°F) 20–25 min

Zone/accessory: 4-qt container

Tip: Ninja's Cheesy Loaded Tots recipe: toss with 10 min left; cheese on with 1 min left.

DualZone 2-Basket (8 qt)

Air Fry + Match Cook 375°F both zones 25–27 min

Zone/accessory: Split between Z1 and Z2

Tip: One basket only: 18–22 min.

DualZone 2-Basket (10 qt)

Air Fry (one zone) 375°F 22–26 min

Zone/accessory: One basket

Tip: Chart: 2 lb in one zone; both zones 30–34 min.

Any air fryerdraft setting

Any air fryer 360°F 18–22 min

Tip: Follow the bag if it gives air fryer directions.

Starting point from our kitchen. Check your manual. Cook to the safe temp.

Settings source: Times from Ninja FN101 recipe + AF100, AF141, DZ201 & DZ302 cook charts

Sources: Ninja Crispi FN101 Series Quick Start Guide & Recipes · Ninja AF100 Series Air Fryer Cook Charts · Ninja AF141 Air Fryer Pro 3-in-1 Quick Start Guide · Ninja Foodi 2-Basket Air Fryer DZ201 Quick Start Guide · Ninja Foodi XL 2-Basket Air Fryer DZ302 Quick Start Guide

The 'Any air fryer'/'Any slow cooker' fallback is general guidance, not from a chart.

ServingsBase 4

Ingredients

32 oz frozen tater tots
1½ cup shredded sharp cheddar
½ cup cooked bacon, crumbled
3 tbsp scallions, sliced
½ cup sour cream
pickled jalapeños (optional), to taste

Steps

Spread the frozen tots in the basket; no thawing, no oil.
Cook as shown in your settings, tossing halfway.
Only when they're deep golden and crunchy: scatter cheese and bacon on top for the last 1–2 minutes, until the cheese melts.
Top with sour cream, scallions and jalapeños.

Safe temperature

Make sure the tots are crisp before the cheese goes on.