Tailgate Heros: Bacon Wrapped Tater Tots

Be forewarned. If you make these,they will disappear quickly! 

"Hey Napoleon...give me some of your tots!"

But that's okay. Tailgating is all about sharing food and good times, right? 

Bacon Wrapped Tater Tots

Makes 4 appetizer servings

16 frozen tater tots

8 slices THIN bacon, cut in half sideways

2 Tbsp turbinado sugar

1 tsp season salt

¼ tsp cayenne pepper

Mix the sugar, salt and cayenne pepper together thoroughly.

Sprinkle about half of the rub on top of the bacon strips.

Top each half strip with 1 tot and roll up. TIP: If you have a more fatty end, start on the leaner end so the fat will be on the outside and can render easier. 

Place seam side down on a raised rack or a tray. The raised rack works better because it lets the hot air circulate around all edges. Also, it keeps the tot from sitting in oil once the bacon fat starts to render down.

Sprinkle the rest of the seasoning mix over the assembled tots.

Preheat your oven or grill to 450f. The grill should be set up for indirect heat so the tray or rack is not over direct heat. I used my Big Green Egg, plate setter legs up. (On a standard charcoal grill, push your hot coals to one side, an aluminum drip pan next to them and cook the tots over the drip pan.)

Cook the bacon snuggled tots until the bacon turns crispy, about 20 minutes. 

Sorry about the "naked" tots, I ran out of bacon.

Don't be alarmed if the bacon goes “boa constrictor” on a few of your tots and squeezes the heck out of them. Those still taste great. 

Serve with your favorite BBQ sauce, spicy ketchup, or other dipping sauce. 

See how the bacon crushed one or two of them?  Doesn't matter!

These also go great with a grilled steak burger.

Perfect for tailgating or “just because”. 

[Warning]  I'm not a nutritionist nor dietician but I am pretty sure these things aren't "health food" and should only be eaten in moderation.  We eat them 2-3 times a year.