Sloppy Joe Tater Tot Cups

Sloppy Joe Tater Tot Cups – Crispy tater tots form the perfect crust, filled with rich and tangy sloppy Joe meat, topped with gooey melted cheese. These bite-sized delights are not only delicious but also a fun and easy snack for game day parties, casual get-togethers, or family dinners. Serve them up hot and watch them disappear in no time!

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Tater Tot Appetizer

These Sloppy Joe Tater Tot Cups are a new favorite at our house. Crispy, golden tater tot crust stuffed with sloppy joe meat and topped with melty cheese. Each bite is a delicious combination of textures and tastes that’s hard to resist. Whether you’re enjoying them at a casual family dinner or serving them up at a game day party, these tater tot cups are sure to be a hit, leaving everyone coming back for more!

How to Make Sloppy Joe Tater Tot Cups

This recipe is super easy to make with only a few simple ingredients. Spray a mini muffin pan with nonstick cooking spray. Place two frozen tater tots in each muffin cup. Bake in a preheated oven for 15 minutes.

While the tater tots are cooking, prepare the filling. In a large skillet, cook ground beef over medium-high heat until no longer pink. Drain excess grease. Add tomato sauce, Dijon mustard, Worcestershire sauce, apple cider vinegar, brown sugar, onion powder, garlic powder, and chili powder to the skillet – season with salt and black pepper to taste. Bring to a boil, reduce heat and simmer until most of the liquid has been absorbed. Add a cornstarch slurry to the pan and cook until the sauce has thickened. Remove the skillet from the heat. 

Remove tater tots from the oven. Using a tart tamper tool, press potatoes into the muffin cups. Spoon sloppy joe filling into the potato cups and top with shredded cheddar cheese. Bake for an additional 10 minutes, until the tater tots are a deep golden brown. Remove from the oven and cool in the muffin tin for 5 minutes. Transfer to a serving platter and sprinkle with parsley or green onions.

Helpful Tips & Frequently Asked Questions

• Can substitute ground turkey or sausage.
• You can use any shredded cheese you enjoy in this recipe. Sharp cheddar cheese, provolone, gouda, or swiss. Anything goes!
• Variations/Additions:
  • onions
  • bell peppers
  • mushrooms
• Can Tater Tot Cups be made in advance? Yes! Prepare the filling. Bake the tater tots and form the cups. Add the filling. Cover the pan with plastic wrap and refrigerate until ready to serve.
  • You may need to add a few minutes to the cooking time if baking straight for the fridge.
• Can Tater Tot Cups be frozen? Yes! Bake the tater tot cups and cool completely. Place the tot cups on a baking sheet and place in the freezer. Transfer frozen bites to a freezer bag and store in the freezer for up to 3 months.
  • Reheat bites in the microwave, oven, or air fryer.
• Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator.

What to Serve with Sloppy Joe Tater Tot Cups

We are obsessed with these loaded tater tot cups! I think think this is my favorite way to eat sloppy joes! They are a fun and delicious dish that pairs well with a variety of sides to create a satisfying meal or snack, especially for game day parties.

• Top the tots with a dollop of sour cream and some jalapenos.
• Serve the tots alongside your favorite dipping sauces – ranch dressing or bbq sauce are our go-to dips.
• To complement their savory, cheesy goodness, consider serving them with a crisp green salad topped with your favorite veggies and a light vinaigrette. This adds a refreshing crunch that balances the richness of the tater tot cups. 
• For a heartier option, you might include some sweet potato fries or classic potato wedges, giving you that comforting, crispy texture alongside the cups. 
• A side of coleslaw can also be a great addition, providing a tangy contrast that enhances the flavors.  

These pairings will elevate your stater tot cups, making them a hit at any gathering and a great snack for game day parties! Looking for more easy appetizer recipes? Here are some delicious ideas from the website:

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Sloppy Joe Tater Tot Cups

Yield: 24 cups

Prep Time 10 minutes mins

Cook Time 25 minutes mins

Total Time 35 minutes mins

Sloppy Joe Tater Tot Cups – Crispy tater tots form the perfect crust, filled with rich and tangy sloppy Joe meat, topped with gooey melted cheese. These bite-sized delights are not only delicious but also a fun and easy snack for game day parties, casual get-togethers, or family dinners. Serve them up hot and watch them disappear in no time!

• Preheat oven to 425ºF. Spray a mini muffin pan with nonstick cooking spray.

• Place 2 tater tots in each cup of a mini muffin pan. Bake for 15 minutes.

• In a large skillet, cook ground beef over medium-high heat until no longer pink. Drain excess grease. Add tomato sauce, Dijon mustard, Worcestershire sauce, apple cider vinegar, brown sugar, onion powder, garlic powder, and chili powder to the skillet – season with salt and black pepper to taste. Bring to a boil, reduce heat, and simmer for about 5 minutes, until most of the liquid has been absorbed.

• Whisk together cornstarch and water. Add the cornstarch slurry to the pan and cook until the sauce has thickened. Remove the skillet from the heat.

• Remove tater tots from the oven. Using a tamper, press the partially baked tots down to form cups.

• Spoon the beef mixture into the tater tot cups. Top with shredded cheddar cheese.

• Bake for an additional 10 minutes.

• Can substitute ground turkey or sausage.
• You can use any shredded cheese you enjoy in this recipe. Sharp cheddar cheese, provolone, gouda, or swiss. Anything goes!
• Variations/Additions:
  • onions
  • bell peppers
  • mushrooms
• Can Tater Tot Cups be made in advance? Yes! Prepare the filling. Bake the tater tots and form the cups. Add the filling. Cover the pan with plastic wrap and refrigerate until ready to serve.
  • You may need to add a few minutes to the cooking time if baking straight for the fridge.
• Can Tater Tot Cups be frozen? Yes! Bake the tater tot cups and cool completely. Place the tot cups on a baking sheet and place in the freezer. Transfer frozen bites to a freezer bag and store in the freezer for up to 3 months.
  • Reheat bites in the oven or air fryer.
• Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
  • Reheat in the microwave or air fryer.

Steph