Tater Tot Sundae Recipe

Introduction

The Tater Tot Sundae is a fun and flavorful twist on traditional comfort food. Combining crispy tater tots, spicy sausage, and a rich queso sauce, it’s a crowd-pleasing dish perfect for casual gatherings or game day. This layered treat offers bold flavors with every bite.

Ingredients

• 1 tbsp Wesson Canola Oil
• 1 jalapeño, seeded and diced (optional)
• 1 (12oz) can evaporated milk
• 1 (8oz) brick cream cheese, diced
• 8 oz sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
• 1/2 cup Rotel diced tomatoes and green chilies (optional)
• 6 large spicy sausages, casings removed
• 1 (32oz) bag tater tots
• 6 cups Wesson Canola Oil, for frying
• 3 cups shredded cheddar cheese
• 2 cups diced tomatoes
• 1 1/2 cups pitted and chopped olives
• 1 1/2 cups sliced pickles

Instructions

1. Step 1: To make the spicy queso, heat 1 tablespoon of canola oil in a large pot over medium heat. Sauté the garlic and jalapeño (if using) for about 2 minutes until fragrant.
2. Step 2: Add the evaporated milk, chili powder, and diced cream cheese to the pot. Stir continuously until the cream cheese has melted completely.
3. Step 3: Stir in the shredded sharp cheddar cheese and cook for 5 more minutes until the sauce thickens. If using, add the Rotel diced tomatoes and green chilies, then remove from heat.
4. Step 4: Preheat the frying oil to 360°F in a deep fryer or heavy pot.
5. Step 5: In a pan, cook the spicy sausage meat over medium heat until fully cooked through. Drain the cooked sausage and set aside.
6. Step 6: Fry the tater tots in the hot oil until they are crispy and golden brown. Remove from oil and drain on paper towels.
7. Step 7: Assemble your Tater Tot Sundaes by layering tater tots, cooked sausage, shredded cheddar, diced tomatoes, chopped olives, and sliced pickles in tall, wide-mouth glasses.
8. Step 8: Generously spoon the warm spicy queso sauce over the top of each sundae and serve immediately.

Tips & Variations

• For extra heat, add more jalapeños or a dash of hot sauce to the queso.
• Try substituting spicy sausage with chorizo or ground beef for different flavors.
• Use pepper jack cheese instead of cheddar for a creamier, spicier queso.
• If you prefer baked tots, bake according to package directions for a lighter option.
• Add a dollop of sour cream or guacamole on top for additional richness.

Storage

Store leftover components separately in airtight containers in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat the queso sauce gently on the stove, and warm tater tots in the oven to retain crispness. Avoid assembling the sundae in advance to keep textures fresh.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I make the spicy queso ahead of time?

Yes, you can prepare the queso sauce a day ahead and gently reheat it before serving. Stir occasionally while warming to maintain a smooth texture.

What can I use if I don’t have fresh jalapeños?

If fresh jalapeños aren’t available, substitute with a pinch of cayenne pepper or chili flakes to add heat to the queso.

Tater Tot Sundae Recipe

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4.4 from 81 reviews

This Tater Tot Sundae recipe combines crispy fried tater tots, savory spicy sausage, and a rich, creamy queso sauce for a fun and indulgent layered appetizer or snack. Featuring layers of cheese, fresh veggies, and a spicy jalapeño-infused queso, this dish offers a delicious twist on classic comfort foods, served in individual sundae-style glasses for an impressive presentation.

• Author: Maya
• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 20 minutes
• Total Time: 40 minutes
• Yield: 6 servings 1x
• Category: Appetizer
• Method: Frying
• Cuisine: American

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Spicy Queso

• 1 tbsp Wesson Canola Oil
• 1 seeded & diced jalapeño (optional)
• 1 (12oz) can evaporated milk
• 1 (8oz) brick cream cheese, diced
• 8 oz sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
• 1/2 cup Rotel diced tomatoes & green chilies (optional)

Sundae Layers

• 6 large spicy sausages, casings removed
• 1 (32oz) bag tater tots
• 6 cups Wesson Canola Oil, for frying
• 3 cups cheddar cheese, shredded
• 2 cups tomatoes, diced
• 1 1/2 cups olives, pitted & chopped
• 1 1/2 cups pickles, sliced

Instructions

1. Prepare Spicy Queso: In a large pot, heat 1 tablespoon of canola oil over medium heat. Sauté garlic and diced jalapeño (if using) for two minutes until aromatic. Add evaporated milk, chili powder, and diced cream cheese. Cook while stirring until the cream cheese fully melts. Stir in shredded sharp cheddar cheese until melted and cook for 5 more minutes until the sauce thickens. Finish by stirring in the Rotel tomatoes and green chilies if desired, then remove the pot from heat to keep warm.
2. Cook Sausage: In a pan over medium heat, sauté the sausage meat, breaking it apart and cooking thoroughly until no longer pink. Drain any excess fat and set cooked sausage aside.
3. Fry Tater Tots: Preheat 6 cups of canola oil to 360°F in a deep fryer or large heavy pot. Fry the tater tots in batches until crispy and hot, about 3-5 minutes each batch. Remove and drain on paper towels.
4. Assemble Sundaes: In tall, wide-mouth glasses, layer the ingredients starting with a base of crispy tater tots, followed by cooked sausage meat, shredded cheddar cheese, diced tomatoes, chopped olives, and sliced pickles. Repeat layers if desired. Finally, drizzle warm spicy queso sauce generously on top of each sundae before serving.

Notes

• You can adjust the heat by adding or omitting the jalapeño and Rotel tomatoes.
• Ensure oil temperature stays around 360°F for perfectly crispy tater tots.
• Serve immediately while the queso is warm for the best flavor and texture contrast.
• To make this vegetarian, substitute sausages with plant-based sausage alternatives and skip the cheese if vegan.

Keywords: Tater Tot Sundae, spicy queso, fried tater tots, sausage appetizer, layered snack, comfort food