Transform your kitchen into America’s favorite drive-in with these incredible Sonic Extreme Chili Cheese Tots that deliver all the loaded comfort food satisfaction of the original in an easy-to-make copycat recipe perfect for game day entertaining, movie nights, or anytime you’re craving serious comfort food. These loaded tater tots combine crispy golden potato perfection with hearty chili, melted cheddar cheese, zesty jalapeño slices, and cool ranch dressing to create the ultimate indulgent snack that satisfies every craving for something warm, cheesy, and utterly delicious.
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Table of Contents
Why This Recipe Works
The magic of Sonic’s Extreme Chili Cheese Tots lies in the perfect layering of textures and flavors that create an irresistible combination of crispy, creamy, spicy, and cool elements in every single bite. The foundation of perfectly cooked tater tots provides essential crunch and potato comfort, while the warm chili adds hearty protein and rich flavor. The melted cheddar cheese creates indulgent creaminess, jalapeño slices contribute bright heat, and ranch dressing provides the cooling contrast that makes this loaded treat addictive.
Ingredients
Base Components:
- Tater tots – Use frozen varieties for convenience or make homemade for extra freshness
- Chili – Choose Hormel no-bean variety or use homemade for authentic texture and flavor
Topping Elements:
- Shredded cheddar cheese – Provides essential melted richness and classic comfort food appeal
- Chopped white onions – Add fresh crunch and sharp flavor contrast to rich components
- Pickled jalapeño slices – Contribute bright heat and tangy acidity that cuts through richness
- Ranch dressing – Offers cooling creaminess that balances spicy and rich flavors perfectly
Ingredient Notes and Tips
You can buy tater tots at the grocery store or make your own. Store-bought tater tots can be cooked in an oven, air fryer, or deep fryer.
If you have leftover homemade chili, you may use that. If not, use a can of Hormel brand chili with no beans—or with beans if you want them in the dish, too.
You could add more toppings to this if desired. It is entirely up to you.
How to Make Sonic Chili Cheese Tots
- Prepare the tater tots according to package directions.
- While the tater tots are cooking, heat the chili in a small pan over low heat.
- Place the cooked tater tots in a bowl or on a small plate.
- Top with chili, cheese, onions, and jalapeno slices.
- Drizzle ranch dressing over the top.
Storage & Reheating Instructions
- Immediate Consumption: These tots are best enjoyed immediately after assembly while tots remain crispy and cheese is melted.
- Component Storage: Store leftover chili in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and toppings separately for optimal freshness.
- Reheating Method: Reheat tots in oven or air fryer to restore crispiness, then reassemble with fresh toppings for best results.
Love Sonic? Try these copycat recipes!
- Cherry Limeade
- Frito Burrito
- Sonic Breakfast Burrito
- Sonic Coconut Cream Pie Shake
- Strawberry Lemonade
- Strawberry Limeade
Favorite Comfort Food Recipes
- Cabbage Roll Casserole
- Calico Beans
- Chicken Fried Steak
- Hamburger Tater Tot Casserole
- Meatloaf with Ritz Crackers
- Pork Chops and Gravy
Check out my delicious comfort food recipes and the best fast food recipes on CopyKat!
Sonic Extreme Chili Cheese Tots
Ingredients
- 12 ounces tater tots
- 15 ounces Hormel chili (no beans)
- 4 ounces shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 tablespoon chopped white onions
- 1 tablespoon pickled jalapeno slices
- 1 tablespoon ranch salad dressing
Instructions
- Prepare the tater tots according to package directions.
- While the tater tots are cooking, heat the chili in a small pan over low heat.
- Place the cooked tater tots in a bowl or on a small plate.
- Top with chili, cheese, onions, and jalapeno slices.
- Drizzle ranch dressing over the top.
Great presentation easy to follow and gave me some great ideas thanks.
This is fantastic! I love me some tater tots.
This foods are easy and fast making. It’s very suitable for me whom have to work a long time per day. Thank for sharing this post.
My son worked at Sonic and he told me they use Hormel chili.
I also like your Fritos Chili Cheese Wrap from your first cookbook. Fast and easy too.
I also like your Fritos Chili Cheese Wrap from your first cookbook. Fast and easy too.
Love this great recipe. Looks so tasty and so easy to make. I really liked the end presentation of it. Thanks for sharing!
My son will go CRAZY for these. I’ll have to add this to my go-tos for when his friends come over.
Will make these and double recipe when my kids come to visit.Love the idea and so easy.