Brats and Tots (Bratwurst Nachos Recipe)

These Brats and Tots are a loaded bratwurst nacho recipe made with crispy tater tots layered with sliced grilled brats, melted cheese, and your favorite toppings. It’s the ultimate comfort food mashup — perfect for game day, backyard parties, or an easy weeknight dinner everyone will love.

Course Appetizer, Grilling, Side Dish

Cuisine American, German

Keyword Brats and Tots (Bratwurst Nachos recipe), leftover bratwurst recipe, smoked bratwurst recipe

Prep Time 10

Cook Time 20

Servings

Calories 367kcal

Author Bon Appeteach

Ingredients

3 Beer and Cheddar Bratwurst see cooking options below
6 cups Tater Tots frozen
1-2 cups Smoked Beer Cheese Sauce
1 cup Sweet Peppers and Onions
1/3 cup Hot Giardinera optional
2 tbsp. Sour Cream
Chives or Green Onion garnish

Instructions

Cooking the Bratwurst

Double-Smoked Brats (Best Flavor): Preheat your smoker to 225°F. Smoke the bratwurst for 45–60 minutes until lightly browned and infused with smoke flavor. Let them cool completely in an ice bath. Return them to the smoker at 250°F for another 30–45 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 160°F.
Grilled Brats (Quick & Classic): Preheat your grill to medium heat (375–400°F). Grill the brats for 12–15 minutes, turning occasionally until evenly browned and heated through to an internal temperature of 160°F.
Air-Fried Brats (Easy Weeknight Option): Preheat the air fryer to 375°F. Cook brats for 8–10 minutes, flipping halfway through.

Prepare the Beer Cheese Sauce

If making the smoked beer cheese sauce, I recommend throwing it onto the smoker at the same time as smoking the bratwurst. You can also make my quick and easy three ingredient beer cheese sauce on the stovetop, too.

Assembling the Bratwurst Nachos

Cook the Tater Tots: Cook them in the air fryer or oven according to the package directions.
Layering and Serving: Arrange the crispy tater tots as the base layer. Drizzle with half of the beer cheese sauce. Evenly distribute the sliced bratwurst over the tots and then top with the sweet peppers and onions. Finish with hot giardiniera, a dollop of sour cream, and a sprinkle of chives or green onions. Serve and enjoy!

Notes

Keep tater tots crispy by assembling right before serving.

Nutrition