Brats and Tots (Bratwurst Nachos Recipe)

These Brats and Tots are a fun, crowd-pleasing twist on classic nachos — crispy tater tots layered with sliced bratwurst, melty cheese, and your favorite toppings. Perfect for game day or casual entertaining, it’s everything you love about loaded nachos with a Midwest comfort food upgrade.

If you love comfort food with a creative twist, these Brats and Tots are about to become your new go-to game day favorite. Think of it as the ultimate Midwest mashup — crispy golden tater tots stand in for tortilla chips, piled high with juicy bratwurst, melted beer cheese sauce, and all your favorite toppings. It’s everything you love about loaded nachos, but heartier, smokier, and way more fun to share.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• A Fun Twist on Classic Nachos: Swapping chips for tater tots adds the perfect crispy base that soaks up all that cheesy, savory goodness. The brat and potato combo works really well here.
• Perfect for Game Day or Parties: Easy to assemble, serve, and customize — this crowd-pleaser disappears fast and is always super popular anytime I make it.
• Loaded with Flavor: Smoky beer and cheddar bratwurst (or any style sausage you love), homemade beer cheese sauce, and tangy toppings like my smoked sweet peppers and Chicago-style hot giardiniera hit every crave-worthy note in one bite.
• Repurposed Leftovers: I love making this if I have leftovers from making my pellet smoker brats or my air fryer brats recipe.

Supplies Needed:

• 6 inch Cast Iron Skillet or Baking Dish
• Small Pot
• Whisk
• Measuring Cups and Spoons
• Knife and Cutting Board
• Spatula

Ingredients:

• Bratwurst Sausage: These Beer and Cheddar Bratwurst made by my friend Joe over at The Sausage Boss are what I used in this recipe (and wow did they take it to a whole other level). Any other style brat will work for this, but I highly recommend giving these a try.
• Tater Tots: You can bake, air fry, or deep fry your tots. I usually air fry or bake mine based on the package directions. I typically use one normal-sized bag of tots to make a whole batch of nachos (about 4 cups roughly). You can also swap the tots for some spaetzle- German Noodles instead!
• Three-Ingredient Beer Cheese or this Smoked Beer Cheese Sauce are both perfect options for
• Sweet Peppers: Check out my recipe for smoked sweet peppers. I love enjoying this with brats or Italian beef sandwiches. You can also just slice up and saute bell peppers and onions with the brats as well if desired.
• Hot Giardiniera Peppers: Another Chicago staple I always have on hand. Sometimes spicy giardiniera is hard to find, depending on where you live (look near the pickles and olive section at your local grocery store, or make your own), or buy it in bulk on Amazon!
• Other Garnishes: Sour Cream, Green Onions, Pickled Jalapenos (or anything else you love).

How To Make Bratwurst Nachos:

Preparation:

1. Begin by cooking the tater tots according to the package directions. You can air fry or bake. Either method works here!
2. While the tater tots are cooking and getting crispy, prep the brats. You can double-smoke them, grill them, or throw them in the air fryer. Once they are cooked, slice them into quarter-inch thick rounds to make it easy to eat.
3. Next, prep your cheese sauce. I use my smoked beer cheese sauce recipe. This is easy to make alongside the smoked brats because it can all go onto the grill at the same time.

Assembly:

1. In a baking dish or cast-iron pan, layer the cooked tater tots across the bottom (you can reserve a few for the top if desired). Pour a small layer of beer cheese sauce over the tots.
2. Next, add the crispy bratwurst pieces and the sweet peppers and onions over the tots.
3. Pour another layer of cheese over the brats and peppers. Then top with the spicy giardiniera and any other garnishes (I like a nice dollop of sour cream). Serve and enjoy!

Expert Tips:

• Use freshly grated cheese to make the sauce. It comes out so much better. Be sure to stir occasionally after you remove it from the heat, and it will thicken slightly as it cools.
• You can top it with tater tots as a garnish, too, if you prefer to layer things more evenly.
• Serve this as one large appetizer on a sheet pan or use smaller skillets to make individual ones as well!

What to Serve with Brats and Tots

Because these bratwurst nachos are rich, cheesy, and ultra-satisfying, you’ll want to balance them out with sides and drinks that complement — not compete with — their bold flavor. Here are a few perfect pairings:

• Fresh and Crunchy Sides: A simple apple slaw or German cucumber salad adds crisp texture and a little acidity to cut through the richness.
• Dips and Sauces: Serve with beer cheese dip, grainy mustard aioli, or even a drizzle of smoky Memphis style BBQ sauce for an extra layer of flavor.
• Beverage Pairings: A cold pilsner, amber lager, or Oktoberfest-style beer enhances the bratwurst’s smoky notes, while a hard cider or sparkling lemonade brings a refreshing contrast.
• Lighter Add-Ons: Pair with grilled vegetables, roasted Brussels sprouts, or a green salad with a tangy vinaigrette to round out the meal.

More Recipes To Try

Grilled Brat Burgers Recipe

Bratwurst Sliders

Beer Cheese Soup Recipe