It’s New Year’s Eve and we need to enjoy ourselves. And why shouldn’t we do it with tots and bacon and a cheesy sauce?
These are truly little rolls of goodness and if we think hard enough, I’m sure we could come up with a reason why these would bring us good luck in the New Year.
Who would turn these down at a party anyway?
You must wrap and secure your bacon tightly or your rolls will kind of pop apart during the frying process. Not that it matters. They are still fantastic even if they are not rolled perfectly. Is your mouth watering yet?
Honestly these are really hard to resist, don’t even bother trying. Let’s face it, it’s too hard to say “no” to fried food. So just indulge and enjoy!
Jack cheese sauce is the perfect accompaniment. The creamy cheese cools any residual heat from the jalapeno slice. What could be better than this?!!
Enjoy these!
Bacon-Jalapeno Wrapped Tater Tots with Jack Cheese Dipping Sauce
Ingredients
Cheese Sauce
- 2 Tablespoons butter
- 2 Tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 2 cups whole milk
- 1 cup grated Monterey Jack Cheese
Wraps:
- vegetable oil
- 1 pound sliced bacon, cut into 3-1/2" long pieces (you might have leftovers)
- 24 frozen tater tots, thawed
- 24 slices jalapeno, about three
Directions
- For the sauce, in a medium saucepan over medium heat melt the butter. Add the salt, pepper and flour, whisking over heat for one minute. Add the milk slowly while whisking constantly to remove any lumps. Continue to cook until bubbly, add cheese until melted. Serve warm.
- For the wraps, heat oil over medium-high heat to 375 degrees F. Roll one piece of bacon around each tater tot and slice of jalapeno. Secure tightly with a toothpick.
- Fry each tater tot, about four at a time, until bacon is crisp, about 2 minutes. Serve with warm cheese sauce for dipping.
Four Years Ago: Lobster Bisque
pam says
These look sinfully delicious! Happy New Year!
dawn says
These look absolutely awesome!!! One question…. I see that we are to secure the bacon and pepper on the tot with toothpicks…. When we fry the tots will the toothpick burn??? Or should we soak the toothpicks like skewers prior to frying??? I guess that is 2 questions… Thank you… I love your blog
Cathy says
No they don’t burn, no soaking necessary.
Karly says
Oh. My. Word. When I saw the picture I was thinking, ooh, yum. Then I read on and realized that they were FRIED. No baked. And I fell even more in love.
Deep fried bacon. Wrapped around a jalapeno and tater tot. It’s like heave.
Tee says
Hi Cathy,
I love reading your blog, but rarely leave a comment. I’ve nominated your the the Lovely Blog award. Check out my blog for instructions if you want to participate and pass along. Happy New Year!
Stephanie @ Macaroni and Cheesecake says
These sound amazing!! What a perfect little bite!
peabody says
I’m allergic to jalepeno but I must figure out how to make these using something else. Because tater tots and bacon…hello!
flamingolady says
peabody, could you tolerate peperoncini? I don’t always have jalapenos in the fridge, so I was thinking of using them, in a pinch, if I ever had “drop-by” company. These sound scrumptious!
Forrest aka. The Underground Restaurant Chef says
These are amazing looking. Awesome creative comfort food! Have so enjoyed your blog so much this past year, look forward to more in 2013. As a newish blogger I am inspired! Thanks!
Lorelei says
Can these be baked or are they better fried?
Cathy says
I haven’t baked them so I don’t know but you will lose that crispy texture which is what makes these kind of awesome.
Sandra Mort says
They DO look lovely, but I don’t fry for several reasons… I think I may have to bake them to find out!
Jackie says
I pinned this and added it to my menu for the Super Bowl. I baked instead of frying and turned on the broiler for the last five minutes of bake time. The crispiness was not lost. I skipped the jalapeño because my 10 yr old won’t eat it, but made a chipotle dipping sauce and they paired amazingly!!! Big Hit
wendy graves says
Thx.for the baking update.I need to bring something to work I think these will be a baked hit!
Amy says
Let us know, please. I hate the frying mess 😁
Jim says
Whats the best to use, regular sliced bacon (thin) or the thick slice bacon?,
Thanks , Jim
Cathy says
Thin!
Jude says
Loved them! Instead of jalapenos, I used leftover shredded cheddar. Instead of frying, I put them on a wire rack on top of a sheet pan – 375 for 30mins. Delish! A new fav!
Mona says
I baked them too, but my tater tots kept breaking apart. any idea what i did wrong? should the tots be totally frozen when I put them in the oven?
Jude says
when i started, the first tot was totally frozen so it was difficult to push the toothpick thru. almost stabbed my finger! i let the tots out of the bag to defrost for ten mins, then it was easier. i also used “extra crispy” frozen tots so had no prob w them breaking apart.
wendy graves says
Wondering what temp to bake them at
Barb says
I am making these for super bowl party ahead of time. I was planning on heating them up in the oven before serving them.
Brittany Sullivan says
Can the bacon wrapped tater tots be premade and frozen overnight? If so, do they have to unthaw any before being deep fried?
Cathy says
I have never tried that so I’m not completely sure.
Michele E says
These were really good! I made a big batch, used the whole package of bacon. We fried half one day and half the next day. I just covered them and put it in the fridge until we were ready to fry. We used ranch as our dipping sauce.
Rhonda Smith says
The bacon-jalapeno tater tots were awesome, but 1 t. salt in the cheese sauce was WAY too much. My son was helping me, by making the sauce while I fried the tots, and he was so disappointed because it was inedible after all his efforts.
Cathy says
Everyone has different taste buds. We didn’t find it salty at all.
Charleen Brammer says
Cathy – Just got done making these and I do have to say … OMGEE!!
I used a cheese dip that I had on had instead of the white cheese which I’m sure made the end taste different but none the less they are delicious!!! Thank you so much. I love your blog and follow you on Facebook as well. (which is where I posted my trial)
Cathy says
Thank you!
Carol says
These were very good. Cheese sauce very good. Did not have any problems with the toothpicks.
Tammy zywicki says
How. Much oil?