Chili Cheese Glizzy Tots combine crispy tater tots, smoky mini sausages, hearty chili, and melted cheddar for an irresistible, shareable snack or meal. This indulgent recipe works great for game days, casual gatherings, or a comforting weeknight dinner when you want bold flavors with minimal fuss.
Chili Cheese Glizzy Tots
I’ve been posting a lot of griddle and smoker recipes for years and we use our griddle constantly. That experience made it natural to experiment with different tools and accessories to elevate classic comfort foods. One fun trend I finally tried was slicing mini sausages to create extra crispy edges and more surface area to hold toppings — it transforms ordinary hot dogs or little smokies into something special.
This chili and cheese version is one of my favorite combinations: crisp, seasoned tater tots provide the base, shredded cheddar melts into them, little smoked sausages add savory bite, and a hot, well-seasoned chili ties it all together. The result is an indulgent, shareable skillet or sheet-pan dish that people keep coming back to.
One of the best things about this recipe is how flexible it is. I often use leftover chili from a big pot, but good-quality canned chili also works in a pinch. Swap cheeses, change the sausage, or use different seasonings to suit your tastes — the framework is forgiving and forgivingly delicious.
What’s a “glizzy”?
“Glizzy” is modern slang for a hot dog. Here I use the term playfully, though the recipe actually uses little smokies — small smoked sausages — which are perfectly suited to loaded tater tot dishes.
Why You’ll Love This Dish
- Crowd-Pleasing: Bold flavors and contrasting textures appeal to both kids and adults.
- Customizable: Swap the chili, use different cheeses, or change the sausage to match dietary needs or preferences.
- Simple Prep: Uses frozen tater tots and pre-cooked sausages for minimal hands-on time.
- Versatile Cooking: Works in an oven, smoker, air fryer, or on a pellet grill depending on your setup.
- Great for Gatherings: Easy to scale up for parties or potlucks.
Also excellent alongside cornbread or a bright vinegar slaw for contrast.
Recipe Shopping List
Here are the items to gather before you start. Quantities are in the recipe card below.
- Frozen tater tots
- Taco seasoning (or your preferred seasoning blend)
- Little smokies or small smoked sausages
- Hot chili (homemade or canned)
- Shredded cheddar cheese
How To Make This Recipe
This overview shows the main steps so you know what to expect. Full details and exact measurements are in the printable recipe card below.
- Heat: Preheat your oven or pellet grill to 425°F (218°C).
- Season and bake tots: Toss the frozen tater tots in taco seasoning (or a seasoning blend) and bake until golden and crisp, turning occasionally.
- Prepare the sausages: Arrange the little smokies on a pan. Optionally slice them partially for extra texture and to help sauce and cheese penetrate.
- Cook the smokies: Roast or sear the sausages for 7–8 minutes until they develop color and sizzle.
- Assemble: Layer the crispy tots in a baking dish, sprinkle half the cheese, add the smokies, spoon on hot chili, then finish with remaining cheese.
- Melt: Return to the oven or smoker until the cheese is fully melted and bubbly.
- Serve: Remove and enjoy right away for best crispiness.
Recipe FAQ
Yes, but the tots lose some crispiness after refrigeration. If preparing in advance, reheat in the oven or air fryer to restore texture just before serving.
Keep leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to three days. Reheat in the oven or air fryer for the best texture.
Use pepper jack or mozzarella instead of cheddar, substitute diced hot dogs or sausage links for little smokies, or swap taco seasoning for chili powder and smoked paprika for a different flavor profile.
No. The oven or air fryer works great and produces excellent results.
Serve This With…
- Cornbread: A classic side that soaks up any extra chili.
- Coleslaw: A crisp, tangy slaw provides a refreshing contrast.
- Loaded nachos: For an extra-indulgent spread if you’re feeding a crowd.
Appetizer Recipes
Lazy Skillet Pork Dumplings-
Spicy Stuffed Hatch Chile Peppers
-
Viral Dumpling Lasagna
More Recipes With Tots & Fries
- Traeger Tater Tot Casserole
- Tater Tot Breakfast Casserole
- Pulled Pork Poutine
- Short Rib Poutine
Pin For Later
Chili Cheese Glizzy Tots
This loaded tray of tots starts with a layer of seasoned, crispy tater tots, then a blanket of melty cheddar, little smokies, steaming hot chili, and more cheese. It’s a perfect game-day dish that’s easy to customize and simple to scale.
10 minutes
1 hour
1 hour 10 minutes
Ingredients
- 16 ounces frozen tater tots
- 1 tablespoon taco seasoning
- 16 ounces little smokies (mini smoked sausages)
- 6 cups hot chili
- 6 cups shredded cheddar cheese
Instructions
- Preheat your pellet grill or oven to 425°F (218°C). Toss the frozen tots with the taco seasoning so they are evenly coated.
- Spread the seasoned tots on a baking sheet or in a shallow baking dish. Bake, turning occasionally, until the tots are golden brown and crisp.
- Meanwhile, arrange the little smokies on a separate pan. If you like, slice them partially or cross-hatch them to create more crispy edges and openings for toppings.
- Cook the smokies for about 7–8 minutes, until they begin to brown and sizzle.
- When the tots are crispy, layer half of the shredded cheddar over them. Arrange the cooked smokies on top of that cheese layer.
- Spoon the hot chili evenly over the smokies and tots, then sprinkle the remaining cheese on top.
- Return the assembled dish to the oven or smoker and bake until the cheese is melted and bubbly, about 5–10 minutes. Remove and serve immediately.
Nutrition Information
Yield: 12 servings
Amount Per Serving:
Calories: 445
Total Fat: 33g
Saturated Fat: 15g
Cholesterol: 81mg
Sodium: 950mg
Carbohydrates: 19g
Fiber: 2g
Sugar: 5g
Protein: 20g
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