Ingredients
Main
- 24–30 frozen tater tots (or mini potato croquettes)
OR homemade mashed potato bites - 12–15 bacon strips (cut in half)
- 1 cup cheddar or mozzarella cheese cubes/shreds
Seasoning Mix
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ½ teaspoon salt (light, bacon is salty)
- ½ teaspoon dried parsley or Italian herbs
Optional extras (highly recommended)
- Chili flakes (spicy version)
- BBQ seasoning
- Parmesan
- Honey or maple glaze
- Ranch or garlic dip
- Toothpicks (for securing)
👩🍳 Step-by-Step Instructions
Step 1 – Prep the Bacon
Start with thin or regular bacon.
Avoid thick-cut bacon because:
- it won’t crisp fast
- potato may overcook
Cut each bacon strip into halves or thirds.
You want pieces just long enough to wrap once around each bite.
If bacon is very fatty, lightly pat dry with paper towel.
Step 2 – Prepare the Potatoes
Option A – Using frozen tater tots (fastest)
No need to thaw.
Option B – Homemade potato bites (extra tasty)
If making from scratch:
Boil 3 medium potatoes until soft.
Mash with:
- 1 tablespoon butter
- salt
- pepper
- garlic powder
- ½ cup cheese
Let cool, then form small cylinder shapes (like mini tots).
Chill 20 minutes to firm up.
This helps them hold shape while baking.
Step 3 – Add Cheese Center (secret step)
This is optional but AMAZING.
Take each tot and:
- poke small hole
- insert tiny cube of cheese
OR - wrap cheese around homemade mash ball
When baked → cheese melts inside → gooey center
Trust me… this makes them next-level.
Step 4 – Season
In a bowl mix:
- olive oil
- garlic powder
- paprika
- pepper
- herbs
Toss potato bites gently to coat.
This adds flavor inside, not just bacon outside.
Step 5 – Wrap with Bacon
Now the fun part.
Take:
1 tot
1 bacon piece
Wrap snugly around.
Don’t overlap too thick or bacon won’t crisp.
Place seam-side down on tray.
If needed, secure with toothpick.
Repeat until all are wrapped.
Try to space them out so heat circulates.
Crowding = steaming, not crisping.
Step 6 – Arrange for Crispiness
Line baking tray with:
✔ parchment paper
OR
✔ wire rack over tray (BEST method)
Rack allows:
- fat to drip
- bacon gets crispy all around
If directly on tray, flip halfway.
Step 7 – Bake
Preheat oven to:
200°C (400°F)
Bake for:
25–35 minutes
Halfway through:
- flip them (if not using rack)
You’re looking for:
✔ deep golden bacon
✔ crispy edges
✔ sizzling sound
✔ cheese slightly bubbling
Kitchen will smell INSANE.
Like smoky BBQ heaven.
Step 8 – Optional Glaze (next-level flavor)
Brush lightly with:
- honey
OR - maple syrup
OR - BBQ sauce
Bake 3–5 more minutes.
Creates sticky caramelized coating.
Sweet + salty combo = addictive.
Step 9 – Rest & Serve
Let cool 3–5 minutes.
Bacon crisps more while resting.
Serve hot with dips:
- ranch
- garlic aioli
- cheese sauce
- spicy mayo
- ketchup
🔥 Pro Tips (Game changers)
🥓 Use thin bacon
Crisps faster and wraps easier
🧀 Freeze cheese cubes
Prevents leaking during baking
🌬 Don’t overcrowd tray
Space = crunch
🔥 Air fryer option
Cook 190°C for 12–15 min
Super crispy
❄ Make ahead
Wrap and freeze raw → bake later
🧀 Flavor Variations
Let’s level these up:
Spicy Jalapeño
Add jalapeño slice + cheese inside
BBQ Style
Brush with BBQ sauce + smoked paprika
Breakfast Version
Wrap sausage instead of potato
Cheesy Garlic
Add parmesan + garlic butter after baking
Sweet & Savory
Drizzle honey or maple syrup
Loaded Style
Top with:
- sour cream
- green onions
- extra cheese
- bacon bits
Basically loaded potato skins vibes.
🍽️ When to Serve
These are PERFECT for:
✔ Parties
✔ Game nights
✔ Ramadan ftour snacks
✔ BBQ
✔ Movie nights
✔ Kids snacks
✔ Appetizers
✔ Late-night cravings
Warning: make double batch.
They disappear FAST 😂
🧠 Texture & Taste Experience
First bite:
CRUNCH → bacon snap
Then → soft potato
Then → melted cheese stretch
Then → smoky salty flavor
It’s:
- crispy
- creamy
- cheesy
- smoky
- salty perfection
Basically comfort food in one bite.
🧊 Storage & Reheat
Fridge: 4 days
Freezer: 2 months
Reheat:
Oven: 180°C 8 min
Air fryer: 4–5 min
Avoid microwave (makes bacon soft)
❤️ Final Thoughts
This is one of those “simple but legendary” recipes.
Only 3–4 ingredients
Minimal effort
Maximum flavor