Loaded Tater Tots with Seasoned Beef and Lime Crema

Crispy, pillowy tater tots loaded with taco-seasoned beef and tangy lime crema just ruined nachos for us forever. And, we’re not even mad about it.

These Loaded Tater Tots, call them Totchos if you want to get technical, do everything nachos wish they could do. The tots stay crispy under all that melted sharp cheddar and seasoned beef. The toppings actually stick instead of sliding into a pile on your plate. That lime crema? Tangy, garlicky, and so much better than regular sour cream.

Pile on jalapeños, pickled red onions, and pico de gallo, or really any of your favorite toppings. Bake it all on a sheet pan, so you’re not babysitting the stove during the game. Watch this appetizer disappear in under 10 minutes at your Super Bowl party while people hover around asking what’s in that crema.

The answer: four ingredients and two minutes of whisking. But they don’t need to know how easy this was.

🔪 Ingredients for Loaded Totchos

Lime Crema

• Sour cream: Full-fat gives you the best drizzle and flavor
• Fresh lime juice: Use a fresh one if you can; bottled won’t hit the same
• Garlic powder: Smooth garlic flavor without the bite of raw
• Kosher salt
• Water: Added a little at a time to control texture

Tater Tots

• Frozen tater tots: Any brand works (but we all have favorites); crispness matters more than brand
• Salt and black pepper

Seasoned Beef

• Ground beef (80/20): Don’t go too lean, you want enough fat to stay juicy after simmering
• Sweet onion, diced: Softens and melts into the meat
• Chili powder: The backbone of the seasoning
• Ground cumin & dried oregano: Adds warm savory depth
• Garlic powder
• Cornstarch: The magic thickener, so the sauce so the beef clings to the tots
• Kosher salt & black pepper
• Cayenne pepper: Optional heat
• Water: This helps to wake up the cornstarch and spices as the meat simmers

Toppings

• Sharp cheddar cheese, freshly grated: Melts smoother and tastes better than pre-shredded
• Jalapeño, thinly sliced
• Pickled red onions: Acid to cut the richness, though chopped raw works well too if you don’t mind it
• Pico de gallo, lightly drained
• Green onions, sliced

Equipment

• Rimmed baking sheet
• Large skillet
• Small mixing bowls
• Whisk
• Wooden spoon

📝 How to Make Loaded Tater Tots

1. Make the Lime Crema

• Whisk the sour cream, lime juice, garlic powder, and salt in a small bowl. Add water one tablespoon at a time until the crema loosens into a pourable sauce that runs easily off a spoon instead of sitting thick. Refrigerate while you cook so the garlic and lime mellow together.

2. Bake the Tater Tots

• Bake the tater tots according to package directions until deeply golden and very crisp. Season immediately with salt and pepper while hot. If the tots still look pale or feel soft when pressed, leave them in longer — they need to hold up under toppings.

If you feel like grabbing the air fryer, it actually gives you the best possible tater tot texture. It’s not realistic for assembling nachos start to finish, but air frying the tots first makes them extra crisp and sturdy before piling everything on. If you have the space and the time, it only improves the final result.

3. Season and Simmer the Beef

• Preheat the oven to 425°F.
• Mix the chili powder, cornstarch, salt, cumin, garlic powder, oregano, black pepper, and cayenne in a small bowl.
• Brown the ground beef in a large skillet over medium-high heat, breaking it up as it cooks. Once the beef is about halfway browned, add the onion and keep cooking until the meat is fully cooked and the onion is soft and translucent. Drain off excess fat so the sauce doesn’t turn greasy.
• Sprinkle the spice mixture evenly over the beef and stir until everything is well coated. Pour in the water and simmer for about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the mixture thickens and turns glossy. You’re looking for beef that’s saucy and cohesive, not dry and not swimming.

4. Assemble the Tots

• Spread the crispy tots in an even layer on a baking sheet. Sprinkle about one-third of the cheese directly over the tots so it melts down into the gaps, then spoon the beef evenly across the top. Finish with the remaining cheese.

5. Melt and Finish

• Bake for 5–8 minutes, just until the cheese is fully melted and bubbling around the edges. When you scoop into the center, the cheese should pull slightly, and the tots underneath should still feel crisp, not steamed.
• Remove from the oven and scatter the jalapeño, pickled red onions, green onions, and pico de gallo over the top. Drizzle generously with the lime crema and serve immediately.

🍽️ How to Serve These Loaded Tater Tots

Serve straight from the pan while the cheese is melty and the tots are crisp. Set them out family-style with forks, or let people go in with their hands if that’s the vibe.

For a crowd, add extra lime wedges, hot sauce, or a second drizzle of crema on the side. Cold beer, margaritas, or anything fizzy pairs perfectly.

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