Bacon-Wrapped Tater Tots

March 31: National Tater Day

Instead of French fries with our fast food, we sometimes order tater tots as a tasty alternative side dish. Tater tots are tiny versions of hash browns and other breakfast-style potatoes, too. When wrapped in and baked with bacon, they become an even better snack. Because they are quick and easy to prepare, they are a popular appetizer for game-day get-togethers, such as when watching March Madness on television (according to Highlander and Islander’s brother, Kahuna). Bake some bacon-wrapped tater tots for casual gatherings and on National Tater Day.

Recipe

(Adapted from Rachael Ray)

Ingredients

• Frozen tater tots (we used Ore-Ida brand extra crispy tater tots)
• Slices of bacon

Directions

Soak toothpicks in water so they do not burn in the oven. Cut each bacon strip in half. Roll the bacon around a tater tot with about half an inch overlap. Secure with a toothpick (see Notes). Continue wrapping bacon around as many tater tots as desired.

Place on a foil-lined lipped pan and bake in a preheated oven at 450 degrees F for 15-20 minutes or until the bacon is browned, crisp and cooked through. Remove from the oven and put on paper towels to drain any grease. Serve hot.

Notes

• Because the tater tot is still frozen, the toothpick will not go all the way through when wrapping the bacon over it. After baking, carefully push the toothpick through the tater tot.
• Eat bacon-wrapped tater tots in moderation! They are flavorful but fattening.
• Bacon can be wrapped around many things besides tater tots (pineapple chunks, dates, shrimp, etc.). Try wrapping them around water chestnuts and baking them in barbecue sauce. Refer to the recipe for bacon-wrapped water chestnuts in our September blog post for International Bacon Day.
• Say cheese! Sprinkle shredded Parmesan or cheddar cheese after baking the bacon-wrapped tater tots for additional flavor.