These Chili Cheese Tater Tots transform a simple side dish into a satisfying meal that’s perfect for busy weeknights or casual gatherings. This comfort food classic combines crispy air-fried tater tots with hearty chili and melted cheese for a dish that’s both nostalgic and absolutely irresistible. The air fryer creates perfectly crisp tots without the extra oil of traditional deep frying, making this a quicker and slightly healthier version of a beloved favorite.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• Quick and easy to prepare, perfect for busy weeknights when you need dinner on the table fast
• Kid-friendly while still satisfying adult appetites
• Customizable with your favorite toppings and chili varieties
• Uses the air fryer for perfectly crispy tater tots without deep frying
• Works as a main dish, shareable appetizer, or game day snack

Ingredients

• Frozen Tater Tots: The star of the show! These potato nuggets turn perfectly crispy in the air fryer, creating the ideal base for your toppings.
• Canned Chili with Beans: A convenient protein-packed topping that adds heartiness to the dish. Hormel® works great, but any brand you prefer will do.
• Sharp Cheddar Cheese: Provides that essential melty, gooey texture and rich flavor. The sharpness cuts through the heaviness of the other ingredients.
• Sour Cream: Optional but recommended for adding a cool, tangy contrast to the spicy chili and crispy tots.
• Diced Onions: An optional garnish that adds freshness, crunch, and a pop of flavor to balance the richness of the dish.
• Cooking Spray: Just a light coating helps the tater tots crisp up beautifully in the air fryer without sticking.

Variations

Loaded Breakfast Tots

Transform this into a morning meal by topping your crispy tots with scrambled eggs, bacon bits, and cheese. Add some diced bell peppers and a dollop of salsa for extra flavor. Perfect for weekend brunch!

Vegetarian Fiesta Tots

Swap the meat chili for vegetarian chili or black beans seasoned with taco spices. Top with cheese, diced tomatoes, sliced jalapeños, avocado, and a squeeze of lime for a meat-free fiesta of flavors.

Buffalo Chicken Tots

Replace the chili with shredded buffalo chicken (canned chicken mixed with buffalo sauce works great). Top with blue cheese crumbles instead of cheddar, drizzle with ranch dressing, and sprinkle with sliced green onions.

Philly Cheesesteak Tots

Skip the chili and instead top your crispy tots with thinly sliced steak, sautéed peppers and onions, and provolone or cheese whiz for a Philadelphia-inspired variation.

How to Make the Recipe

Step 1: Prepare the Air Fryer

Preheat your air fryer to 390°F for about a minute to ensure even cooking. This quick preheating helps the tater tots start crisping immediately. Lightly spray the air fryer basket with cooking spray to prevent sticking and help achieve that perfect golden exterior.

Step 2: Cook the Tater Tots

Arrange the frozen tater tots in the air fryer basket, being careful not to overcrowd them. Spread them out in a single layer to ensure each tot gets crispy on all sides. Cook at 390°F for 12-15 minutes, pausing halfway through (around the 6-minute mark) to shake the basket. This ensures even browning and that signature crispy texture.

Step 3: Prepare the Chili

While the tater tots are crisping up in the air fryer, warm your canned chili in a small saucepan over medium heat. Stir occasionally to prevent burning and ensure it’s heated all the way through. The chili should be hot and ready by the time your tater tots finish cooking.

Step 4: Assemble and Serve

Once the tater tots are golden and crispy, carefully transfer them to individual plates or a large serving platter. Immediately top with the hot chili and sprinkle generously with shredded cheese, allowing the heat to melt it slightly. Finish with optional toppings like sour cream and diced onions for added flavor and texture.

Tips for Making the Recipe

• Don’t overcrowd the air fryer basket – cook in batches if necessary for the crispiest tots
• For extra crispy tots, cook for an additional 2-3 minutes, watching carefully to prevent burning
• Warm your plates before serving to keep everything hot longer and help melt the cheese
• Try freshly grated cheese instead of pre-shredded for better melting qualities
• For a spicier kick, add hot sauce to your chili or top with pickled jalapeños
• If you have leftover chili from another meal, this is a perfect way to repurpose it

How to Serve

Serve these loaded tater tots immediately while everything is hot and the cheese is melty. For casual dining, serve directly on plates with forks, or in paper boats for a fun game day or party presentation. This dish pairs perfectly with a simple side salad to balance the richness of the chili cheese tots.

For a complete meal, consider adding a crisp coleslaw or steamed vegetables on the side. If serving as an appetizer, provide small plates and extra napkins—this delicious dish can get a bit messy! For a buffet-style setup, keep the tater tots, hot chili, and toppings separate so guests can build their own loaded tots.

Make Ahead

While this dish is best served fresh from the air fryer, you can prepare components ahead of time to streamline the cooking process:

The chili can be prepared or heated up to 2 days in advance and stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Simply reheat on the stovetop or in the microwave when ready to use.

Cheese can be shredded and onions can be diced up to 2 days ahead of time and stored separately in the refrigerator in airtight containers.

The tater tots themselves should be cooked just before serving for the best texture. However, if you have leftovers, store them separately from the toppings and reheat in the air fryer at 350°F for 3-4 minutes to crisp them back up before topping again.

FAQs

Can I use homemade chili instead of canned?

Absolutely! Homemade chili works wonderfully and allows you to customize the flavor and spice level. If using leftover homemade chili, make sure it’s heated thoroughly before topping the tots.

What if I don’t have an air fryer?

No problem! You can bake the tater tots in a conventional oven according to the package directions. Typically, this means spreading them on a baking sheet and cooking at 425°F for 20-25 minutes, turning halfway through.

Can I make this recipe vegetarian?

Yes! Simply use vegetarian chili or seasoned black beans instead of traditional chili with meat. There are many excellent canned vegetarian chili options available, or you can make your own.

How do I store and reheat leftovers?

Store the tater tots and toppings separately in airtight containers in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Reheat the tots in the air fryer at 350°F for 3-4 minutes until crispy again, and warm the chili in the microwave or on the stovetop before assembling.

Conclusion

These Chili Cheese Tater Tots offer the perfect balance of convenience and comfort food satisfaction. With minimal prep time and maximum flavor, they’re sure to become a family favorite for busy weeknights or casual weekend meals. The air fryer creates perfectly crispy tots that stand up to the hearty chili and melty cheese toppings, while customizable garnishes let everyone make their plate exactly how they like it. Give this recipe a try the next time you’re craving something indulgent yet easy to prepare—your taste buds will thank you!

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