My first encounter with James Coney Island’s loaded tater tots happened entirely by accident. For years, I’d been ordering their famous cheese fries without a second thought until one day when the server suggested I try their loaded tots instead. That first bite of crispy potato topped with melted cheese, crunchy bacon, and cool sour cream was a revelation. The contrast of textures and flavors—crispy, creamy, salty, and tangy—created an irresistible combination that instantly made me forget about those cheese fries. Now I’m sharing how to recreate this addictive side dish at home, where it pairs perfectly with burgers, hot dogs, or simply as a crowd-pleasing appetizer for game day.
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Table of Contents
Why This Recipe Works
This copycat recipe captures everything that makes James Coney Island’s loaded tater tots special. The tots are perfectly crispy on the outside while remaining soft inside, creating the ideal base for the toppings. The combination of sharp cheddar, smoky bacon, tangy sour cream, and fresh green onions hits all the flavor notes you crave. Best of all, this dish is incredibly versatile and can be customized to suit any preference.
Three Ways to Cook Tater Tots
Deep Frying (Traditional Method)
- Creates the crispiest exterior
- Quick cooking time
- Authentic restaurant-style texture
Air Fryer Method
- Uses minimal oil
- Creates excellent crispiness
- Easy cleanup
- Less mess than deep frying
Oven Baking
- Good option for health-conscious preparation
- Hands-off cooking
- Can prepare larger batches at once
Recipe Ingredients
Here’s a list of what you need:
- Frozen tater tots – Provides the crispy, potato base for all the toppings
- Vegetable oil – For deep frying to achieve maximum crispiness
- Shredded Cheddar cheese – Creates the melty, gooey layer essential to loaded tots
- Crumbled cooked bacon – Adds smoky, savory flavor and crunchy texture
- Sour cream – Contributes creamy tanginess that balances the rich ingredients
- Green onions (sliced) – Offers fresh flavor and color contrast
- Tabasco Chipotle sauce – Optional addition for heat and smoky depth
You can also add a dash of Tabasco Chipotle sauce for a kick of flavor and heat.
How to Make Loaded Tater Tots
- Pour the oil into a deep fryer or saucepan to a depth of 3 to 4 inches.
- Heat the oil to 350 degrees.
- Cook half of the tater tots in the hot oil until golden brown. Drain on paper towels.
- Cook the remaining tater tots.
- Place the cooked tater tots in a greased casserole dish or cast-iron skillet and sprinkle cheese and bacon on top.
- Bake at 350 degrees until the cheese begins to melt.
- Remove the dish from the oven and top it with sour cream and green onions.
You can make deluxe tater tots in individual serving sizes or you could make a whole big serving for everyone to enjoy family style. So I hope you enjoy these fancy potatoes soon!
Crispy Loaded Tater Tots (James Coney Island Copycat)
Ingredients
- vegetable oil for frying
- 8 ounces frozen tater tots
- 1/2 cup shredded Cheddar cheese
- 2 tablespoons crumbled cooked bacon
- 1 tablespoon sour cream
- 2 teaspoon sliced green onions
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
- Spray a small casserole dish with cooking spray.
- Pour the oil into a deep fryer or saucepan to a depth of 3 to 4 inches.
- Heat the oil to 350 degrees.
- Cook half of the tater tots in the hot oil until golden brown, about 2 to 4 minutes.
- Once the first batch is finished, drain them on paper towels.
- Cook the remaining tater tots.
- Place the cooked tater tots in the prepared casserole dish and sprinkle the cheese and bacon over them.
- Bake at 350 degrees for 5 to 7 minutes or until the cheese begins to melt.
- Remove the dish from oven and top it with sour cream and green onions.
Notes
Nutrition
Love tater tots, hashbrowns, and potatoes? Try these recipes!
- Cheesy Hashbrown Bake
- Cracker Barrel Cheesy Hashbrown Casserole
- Crockpot Cheesy Potatoes Recipe
- Hamburger Tater Tot Casserole
- Loaded Hash Browns
- Mexican Tater Tot Casserole
- Totchos
Popular Fast Food Recipes
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Check out more of my easy appetizer recipes and the best fast food recipes here on CopyKat!
I made these as my family and I had a big gaming weekend. Nothing better than leveling up with your tots!
This is great, I love to make this. I am not always near a JCL.
We made this for game night. It was the perfect addition to Game of Things.
I love that game too!
Love me some tots.
So delicious and easy recipe, I love your site. I pinned this recipe.
very nice, to see that you all love this. copykat is the best website!
Those look so delicious. They gonna be very tasty. Thanks for sharing your recipe
You may prepare gourmet tater tots in small servings for each person or a large portion for the entire family to eat dordle together. I thus hope you soon appreciate these delicious potatoes!
Your recipient looks very delicious. I will try it. Good work
This was really easy to make. I had tried this and really came out well than i actually expected. I haven’t had any idea that my first try would be that perfect. It took me little time to prepare this and the result was awesome too.
We loved these baked tots. I love James Coney Island.
Very good
I never thought about cooking tater tots like that… I’ll try it today!!
Thanks for your post 😀
Look so yummy! cant wait to make this tonight!
Gracious good lord, those look totally mind boggling! I have to endeavor it! Much gratitude to you such an awesome sum for sharing this recipe. I genuinely need to endeavor this recipe in the coming end of the week. Reckoning see a more noteworthy measure of your posts.
Indent a few wells in the surface of the tots with a ladle and crack an egg in each well. Cook the tots in the oven a little longer about 12 min so the eggs will set. I did a whole 30 oz. bag of tots in a 12″ iron skillet with 8 eggs. Our weekend guests were amazed.
What a wonderful brunch idea!!!! Thanks much!
Sounds so good!
Yummy! Can’t wait to try these…