Loaded Potato Dip — My favorite baked potato toppings, all loaded into this cheesy dip! This easy party dip is made with tater tots, sour cream, meatballs, and cheese!!
Easy, Cheesy Dip Recipe
The best part of a baked potato isn’t really the potato. It’s the sour cream and cheese that tops it.
This loaded potato dip is a bowl of everything fabulous that goes on top of baked potatoes, minus the baked potatoes.
It’s creamy, it’s cheesy, it’s happy food. White carbs, cream, and cheese tend to have that effect and my family was oohing and ahhing about it. They’re huge potato fans of any kind, from tater tots to hash browns, and they loved the warm, soft tater tots.
Serve this comfort food extraordinaire with crackers, pita chips or pita bread, tortilla chips, dip tater tots into the tater tot dip, or just eat it with a spoon.
Puncturing the thick wall of browned cheese with a sharp cracker corner reveals a soft, creamy, rich potato-filled interior. It was so satisfying to finally bust through the cheese wall.
The last time I got this many oohs and ahhs I had to make a Snackadium. This is even easier than that and only takes five minutes to assemble. Perfect for parties, especially football parties, or as an easy appetizer to set out for gatherings.
Or if you’re a dipaholic like me, you can just call it dinner.
What’s in Loaded Potato Dip?
To make this tater tot dip, you’ll need:
- Frozen tater tots
- Meatballs (veggie or regular)
- Sour cream
- Shredded cheese
- All-purpose seasoning blend
- Salt and pepper
How to Make Loaded Potato Dip
To make the dip, I used tater tots instead of potatoes. I have fond memories of the stubby little tots from elementary school lunches. I ate them slathered in ketchup and decades have gone by and I’ve had very few tater tots since sixth grade. I decided to make up for lost time.
Compared to baked potatoes, tater tots have that browned exterior and more texture, perfect for being incorporated into the dip and gives it some dimension.
Allow 3 cups of frozen tater tots to come to room temperature. I measure about 15 tater tots to 1 cup, so you’ll need about 45, give or take. Slice them in half, or place them all on a large cutting board and give the pile a rough chop.
Smaller pieces are preferred to large chunks but just don’t go too small and mince them. I imagine that about 2 heaping cups pre-cooked hash browns could also be used.
Place the chopped tots in a large mixing bowl, and add crumbled pre-cooked sausage or meatballs.
Add the sour cream. Stir in 1 cup of shredded cheese. A mixture of colby, jack, mozzerella, Moterrey Jack, vegan cheese, soy-cheese, or whatever your grocery store has on sale that week in a 2-cup packet will be just fine. 1 cup gets stirred in now, and the other cup will be sprinkled over the top before baking.
Season the mixture with your favorite seasoning blend such as Lowry’s, Trader Joe’s 21 Salute or a Mrs. Dash and stir. Optionally, stir in a bit of diced green onion or scallions, a pinch of garlic or onion powder; add a handful of corn or black beans, a dollop of salsa, or other things you enjoy on baked potatoes.
There’s no wrong way to load up this dip. If you really load it up, you may need to extend the baking time a bit.
Transfer the mixture into a sprayed 9-inch pie dish, oven-safe baking dish, or an 8- or 9-inch square pan will work. Top with the remaining one cup of shredded cheese and bake your loaded dip until golden brown and bubbly, about 30 minutes.
Can I Make This Dip in Advance?
Yes! The dip assembly literally takes five minutes, but if you’re making it for a party and have lots to do on the day-of, you can assemble it, cover with plastic wrap, and refrigerate it for up to 24 hours before baking it off.
Can I Double This Recipe?
Need to feed a crowd? You can double the ingredients list and bake this dip in a 9×13-inch baking pan.
Tips for Making Loaded Potato Dip
I used meatless gluten-free sausage, but precooked shredded chicken, (meatless) chicken nuggets, tofu, tempeh, bacon, or bacon bits will work.
If you don’t want to ruin your January resolutions, light, vegan sour cream, or soy-based are fine. Greek yogurt may also work, but I don’t top my baked potatoes with yogurt. I top them with sour cream, which is what I used.
You could also make the recipe as written and serve it as a casserole by the slice, but it’s pretty rich and filling. Plus, I am a huge dip fanatic and dipping crackers or bread into that bowl of creamy wonderland is more fun and satisfying than a slice of casserole.
Pin This Recipe
Loaded Baked Tater Tot Dip
My favorite baked potato toppings, all loaded into this cheesy dip! This easy party dip is made with tater tots, sour cream, meatballs, and cheese!!
Ingredients
- 3 cups tater tots (about 45 whole tater tots), thawed and halved or roughly chopped
- 1 cup (meatless) meatballs, crumbled (try precooked shredded chicken, (meatless) chicken nuggets, tofu, tempeh, bacon, or bacon bits)
- 16-ounces sour cream (regular, light, vegan, or soy okay)
- 2 cups shredded cheese blend, divided (blend of colby, jack, mozzarella, Monterrey Jack, vegan, or soy-cheese)
- 2 teaspoons all-purpose seasoning blend, or to taste (Lowry’s, Trader Joe’s 21 Salute, Mrs. Dash, a pinch of garlic or onion powder)
- salt and pepper, optional and to taste
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375F and spray a 9-inch pie dish or similar oven-safe baking dish with cooking spray; set aside.
- Slice thawed tater tots in half or place a large pile on cutting board and roughly chop them; retain some size and texture and don't chop them too small.
- Transfer tater tots to a large mixing bowl. Add the meat or protein option, sour cream, add 1 cup cheese, seasoning blend, salt, pepper, and stir to combine.
- Transfer mixture to prepared baking dish, smoothing the top lightly with a spatula. Top with remaining 1 cup cheese.
- Bake for 30 to 35 minutes, or until top is bubbly and golden browned. Serve immediately with crackers, bread, pita chips or pita bread, tortilla chips, dip tater tots into it, or just eat it with a spoon.
Notes
Storage: Store leftover dip in an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 3 days. I recommend eating leftovers taco casserole-style by setting a piece on top of a mound of crackers or chips and microwaving for about 1 minute.
Recipe variation: Dip can also be made fresh and served like a casserole, but I prefer it as a dip.
Recipe is naturally gluten-free and can be kept vegan by using vegan meat, sour cream, and cheese.
Nutrition Information:
Yield:
12Serving Size:
1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 230Total Fat: 17gSaturated Fat: 8gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 7gCholesterol: 44mgSodium: 558mgCarbohydrates: 11gFiber: 1gSugar: 2gProtein: 8g
More Easy Party Dips:
Creamy Ranch and Cheese Bread Bowl Dip — A no-bake, easy dip that’s packed with bold flavor! A perfect party dip and you get to eat the bowl!
The BEST Spinach Artichoke Dip — This baked spinach artichoke dip is rich, creamy, and it’s a crowd FAVORITE sure to disappear at parties!! It’s so cheesy thanks to both mozzarella and Parmesan cheeses!
Spicy Chorizo Queso — No processed cheese in this EASY queso dip that’s ready in 20 minutes!! Wonderfully spicy thanks to the chorizo!
Bacon Jalapeño Popper Dip — Same great flavor as bacon-wrapped jalapeño poppers, minus the work!! Creamy, CHEESY, loaded with bacon, and topped with CRISPY jalapeños! Fast, EASY, perfect for parties!!
Creamy Baked Double Cheese and Sweet Onion Dip — A cheesy, comforting, and easy dip that everyone loves! Made with cream cheese and sweet Vidalia onions!
Beef Queso Dip — Caramelized onions, ground beef, taco seasoning, and CHEESE in this EASY queso dip everyone loves!! Great for game days, PARTIES, holidays, and events!!
Easy Pizza Dip — Cheese lovers and pizza fans will love this fast and easy dip recipe!! It’s the perfect party food that’s a guaranteed hit!
Hi! Jw, can this recipe be frozen & eaten later?
In general dips are more of an at-the-moment type thing but you could try and see how it goes. I haven’t done it so can’t say.
I LOVE this recipe, however I had forgotten the recipe and went to look online for it. Yours is the only one that(once I saw it my memory came back) hit my recipe SPOT ON. Thanks for giving me my memory back!!
Thanks for the 5 star review and glad this lives up to your memories of the recipe and it’s spot on!
Only 2 of us and need the recipe for half of it can you help me out Please Reply Thanks Giving it q 5 ***** be cause it sounds so Yummy.
I would just halve it then and bake it in a smaller baking dish.
Good recipe but frustrated at scrolling through far too many pics that kept loading and kept loading and pushing the page while I just wanted to read the ingredients.
Sorry for your inconvenience. I sell two cookbooks on Amazon or in Barnes and Noble and you won’t have those issues if you buy my cookbooks!
Oh, this is so true – “The best part of a baked potato isn’t really the potato. It’s the sour cream and cheese that tops it.”
Thanks for the recipe!
Amen to that! :)
Averie, this looks amazing! I want to make it for a party on Saturday. Can I double it and use a 9×13 baking dish? If so, how long would you recommend in the oven? At the same temp?
Thanks so much!!! xo
I haven’t ever doubled it but I’m sure you could do that in a 9×13. Just start with the baking time I rec’ed and then use your judgment from there. Also did you see this one? Just posted it today!
https://www.averiecooks.com/2013/12/baked-triple-cheese-and-salsa-tortilla-chip-dip.html
Oooh, yum! So many dips, so little time! ;)
Thanks SO much for the suggestions and the super quick reply!! You rock.
Like the look of this recipe. Would like to print directions. When I hit print all I get is a blank page. Can you please help?
I’m sorry that you’re having trouble. Just copy/paste the recipe from the screen into an email to yourself. Takes 2 seconds and you’re all set. Enjoy this dip – one of my faves!
I love the look of this recipe. Would like to print directions, but when I hit print all I get is a blank page. Please help.
This looks good! I wonder if it could be made in a crock pot so it could stay warm all day?
My boyfriend is always begging me to make “tater tot casserole” which just sounds terrifying. This sounds like it could be made at least moderately more healthy and serving as a dip prevents having a pile of cheese and potatoes for dinner. Sounds yummy!
“and serving as a dip prevents having a pile of cheese and potatoes for dinner” <-- and if you have leftover dip, you can put it on a pile of chips and nuke it and it will become dinner. Just sayin :) But seriously this is a way to not just eat white potatoes and cheese for dinner. Dip implies a bit of moderation compared to 'casserole'. haha!
I wish I had a bowl of this dip right now…heat it up for lunch an oh my goodness…love the use of tator tots and the meatless option…always an extra bonus when a recipe is so versitile. be perfect for game day!!
It’s so versatile and pretty much you can stuff just about anything in there and bake it off and it’ll come out a winner :)
yum! love tater tots– and in a dip too :) yum!
I like tater tots A LOT, and I am definitely a dip lover!
You’re a tater tot lover? Then you HAVE to make this one! Takes all of 5 mins to toss together!
We all need sour cream and cheese on top of everything!
Where has this dip been all my life?! Looks amazing!!
Happy New yearl!
Averie, please keep the good work! Reading your blog, and experimenting with the ideas made a difference to my life:-)
I just returned from France, used fresh ingredients and did a few recepies, and they were great hits!
All the best!
So glad that you tried things and enjoyed them…thanks for trying them and telling me about it!
Happy New year to all!
Averie, please keep the good work! Reading your blog, and experimenting with the ideas made a difference to my life:-)
I just returned from France, used fresh ingredients and did a few recepies, and they were great hits!
All the best!
um, yes please.
omg is this for real? Averie how you managed to put all of kevin’s favorites foods into dip form is beyond me. pretty sure he’d request this with bacon all over it. There’s a bar around here that serves maryland crab dip tater tots. Greasy tator tots with creamy MD crab dip ALL over it. The best greasy hangover food. I can’t believe how EASY this dip is too – actually, all of your dips seem to be SO easy. Which is a good thing since I can shovel back dips like it’s nobody’s business. or is that a bad thing? i’m not sure, but now all i want for breakfast is tater tots.
Maryland crab dip tater tots – Omg that sounds soooo good.
and yes all my dips are easy! If there is one thing that should be throw-together, it’s a dip or a smoothie!
I’ll just dive into this with a spoon and drown in the deliciousness–happily. I’m all about potatoes and cheese lately. I couldn’t be trusted to one serving of this. I’d eat the whole thing!
I wish I could have shared..we didn’t need all this, but Scott happily finished the leftovers and asked for more :)
You did it again! All of your food looks amazing. I could definitely be a vegetarian again if you were my personal chef.
I didn’t know you were veg! If only we lived just a tad closer we could cook together…and our lil ones could play. Oh the fun we could have!
This is brilliant!! I could eat a bucket of this with crackers or just a spoon :)
Yum yum yum! This looks like the perfect compliment to tater tots.
Ah! Would you cry if I told you that my ultra favorite way to enjoy a baked potato is completely NAKED?
I mean the potato, not me! Heh. Just plain, all lonesome on a plate, maybe with a bit of salt. Hubba, hubba!
Honestly I do go thru phases where I want plain everything…potatoes, steamed broccoli, plain green beans, no butter, salt, nothing. Just totally as-is. Then there are other times I can use 1/4 cup of butter to 1/2 cup broccoli :)
Crazy creative! Seriously, I’ve never seen tots prepared like this, and they sound so much better than the alternative (plain)! Okay, I’ve gotta try this, and soon.
I want to bury my face in that dip. I wouldn’t even care who was watching me. :)
Oh, tater tots, it’s been too long since we last met.
Thanks for giving me a valid excuse for picking up a bag! I’m all about the white carb love this time of year. :D
i am in big trouble with this one. I love it!
OMG….this is Super Bowl heaven food!
Oh yum- winter comfort food at its best. I love reworkings of familiar recipes/dishes. Thanks for getting inspiring and sharing.
Will you come make this for me??? I totally agree that the best part of a baked potato is the toppings!!!
I want some of your beautiful veggies – you make me want to dive into the screen!
Oh my goodness, what a fabulous idea Averie!! So unique, and a total hit in any house :)
Looks freaking fantastic!! Awesome for game day or any day of the week to be honest :)
I would totally just eat this dip for dinner :) I love tater tots something fierce!
I am sure such dip would be any party favorite! I am not a big fan of the processed food, so no, I don’t like tater tots. :)
I am swooning over this amazing dish. I love hot dips and you’ve loaded this one with two of my all time favourite foods – tater tots and gooey, melted, golden cheese! This would be perfect for a get-together (or dinner for one, but maybe that’s just me).
This dip looks like such a crowd-pleaser!
Oh my goodness, all that cheese is totally calling my name!
I am drooling all over my keyboard. Tater Tot Dip?! Could this be real life?! I am blown away! So creative and it is absolutely mouthwatering! What a perfect app for game day!
It’s so easy, too, Nikki! You are the queen of great dips & glad you like this one. Your soup..that creaminess is just delish looking today!
Oh wow does this look like some warm, creamy, deliciousness! I really love the idea of using meatless meatballs and baking everything together in a single dish. So satisfying!!
One bowl to make it in and 1 bowl to bake it in. The best kinds of recipes :)
Mmmm..looks yummy. I love baked potatoes and this looks right up my alley.
I would never be able to have this because of the dairy but that does not mean I can not drool over it! Haha.
Not sure if you noticed it was vegan! Easy to use dairy-free sour cream and cheese on this so enjoy!
I think my husband would faint over this! Pinning this to make for the Superbowl!
Thanks for the pin!
I love dips. And of course I like tater tots. Who doesn’t ;-) I used to buy them all the time and we’d just bake them to have with veggie burgers. Super simple. Not the most healthy side, but so good LOL
This is definitely comfort food in a dip and makes me think of football and the Superbowl. I really think my family would also like it as a casserole with chicken. The browned crust of cheese on top is exactly what makes my husband swoon. I love most all dips–I rarely eat raw veggies without it! Spinach and artichoke is a classic favorite but I also love any variation of a raw vegan nut based dip with nooch, red bell pepper, and a little heat!
Have you ever made my kale chips? Old recipe but the coating is exactly what you just described and it’s amazing on anything!
http://www.loveveggiesandyoga.com/2009/10/raw-vegan-kale-chips.html
My eyeballs are so happy right now.
This totally reminds me of classic MN tater tot hot dish, all dressed up and ready for a Super Bowl party. Hello salty-cheesey-goodness!
Classic MN hot dish all the way. And yes, hot dish, not casserole :)
Oh my goodness, Averie! This looks like the perfect potato-lovers dip. YUM!
Holy cow, this looks delish! Like, trying to reach through the screen to grab some delish :)
Thanks Jennifer! I love all your sweets recipes and most of my stuff is too – but every now and then I love a good dip!
I am a huge tater tot fan, love them! This looks like the perfect football food. Great recipe Averie.
Superbowl potluck, here I come!
Looks delish!
That is what I call the perfect dinner. Right?? Oh my I think I could eat the whole dish!
This looks so good! I love potatoes and this is the perfect comfort food dish.
I have your peanut butter cups on my list to make also (as well as others). I am so glad I found your site.
Thanks for saying hi & finding me!
I need to start thinking about this sort of thing, since we’re getting together with some friends for the Superbowl this year. Plus, the appetizer prep is probably my favorite part, besides the commercials. he he. I’m definitely clicking over the spinach and artichoke dip . . . that would be a favorite of mine! :)
It’s a fave and it literally takes less than 5 mins to make & you can eat it cold or heat it!