This Tater Tot Mini Cheeseburger Bites recipe comes together in about 30 minutes and involves a sheet pan, making it the PERFECT weeknight dinner that your family will love! Seriously, these little bites are a game changer, everyone, from picky eaters to grown-ups with big appetites, is always asking for seconds.
Ingredient Breakdown
Let’s get to the good stuff, the ingredients! You’ll need the following:
- 1 bag of frozen tater tots: Don’t worry, I won’t judge if you pick the ones with all the added seasoning. It just makes it easier!
- 1 lb. ground beef (or swap it out for turkey or plant-based ground if you prefer!): Use whatever you’ve got on hand.
- 1/2 teaspoon salt: Just a couple pinches will do!
- 1/4 teaspoon ground pepper: Adds just the right kick.
- 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder: The smell of garlic wafting through the kitchen? Yes, please!
- 1 tablespoon dry minced onion: I love the little bits of flavor this adds.
- Sliced cheddar cheese: Melted cheese is a MUST for these bites!
- Ketchup: We can’t forget the classic topping.
- Hamburger dill pickle chips: For that iconic burger crunch.
- Toothpicks: These little guys are crucial for holding everything together!
How to Make Tater Tot Mini Cheeseburger Bites
Let’s roll up our sleeves and get cooking, shall we? This is where the magic happens.
Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C). That way, everything is ready to go when we need it!
Spread the frozen tater tots evenly on a baking sheet. Bake according to package instructions, this usually takes about 20-25 minutes. Don’t forget to turn them halfway through so they get all golden and crispy!
In a mixing bowl, toss together your ground beef with a couple of pinches of salt, pepper, garlic powder, and minced onion until well combined. This step adds tons of flavor, trust me!
Shape the beef mixture into small patties that are slightly larger than your tater tots. You want them to go on top, so a bit bigger is perfect.
Heat a skillet over medium heat (add a little oil if you’d like) and then cook those patties for about 3-4 minutes on each side until they are browned and cooked through. They should be smelling incredible by now!
Top each patty with a slice of cheese. Cover the skillet until the cheese is all melty and delicious, about 1-2 minutes.
Now comes the fun part! Assemble your bites: Stack a tater tot, a squirt of ketchup, a cheesy patty, a pickle chip, and another tater tot on top. Secure it all together with a toothpick.
Serve them warm and watch them disappear! Your friends and family will be clamoring around the table, and you’ll be sitting back with a super satisfied smile!
If you loved this recipe, be sure to check out my Pepperoni Chips, my Crab and Shrimp Queso Taquitos, or my Bacon Wrapped Little Smokies!
Why This Recipe Works
Quick & Easy
This dish comes together in under 30 minutes, yes, you read that right! It’s perfect for those busy weeknights when you need something fast but still want to deliver on flavor.
Crowd-Pleaser
These bites are sure to be a hit! They’re the kind of food that makes you feel good, nestled around the dinner table with your family. Honestly, it’s almost like a little party in your mouth… no one can resist!
Customizable
What’s great about these Tater Tot Mini Cheeseburger Bites is that they’re easily customizable! Don’t have ketchup? Hot sauce will do. Have leftover veggies? Toss them in! You can get as creative as you want.
Comfort Food
They’re loaded with tons of flavor and texture, a little crunch from the tots, richness from the beef, and a touch of tang from the pickles. I mean, what’s not to love?
Minimal Cleanup
With everything made on a sheet pan, you’ll have minimal cleanup afterward, which is always a win in my book!
Serving and Storage Tips
How to Serve This
These mini bites are perfect for parties, movie nights, or just an awesome weeknight dinner! Serve them with a side of crispy fries, a light salad, or some chips for a full meal!
Storage
You can keep any leftovers (if you somehow have them!) in an airtight container for up to 3-4 days in the fridge. But let’s be real, these usually don’t last long!
Reheating Instructions
Reheat in the oven or toaster oven at a low temperature until warmed through. I recommend avoiding the microwave here, as it might take away the crispiness of the tater tots.
Freezer Friendly
Yes! You can freeze the assembled bites before cooking. Just lay them on a baking sheet until they’re frozen, then pop them in a freezer-safe bag. When you’re ready, just bake them straight from the freezer; you may need to add a few extra minutes to the cooking time.
This recipe is so fun and easy, it’s become a staple in my household! Do you have any favorite substitutions or twists you like to add? Share them in the comments!
So remember, next time you’re scratching your head for what to make the family, think of these Quick and Easy Tater Tot Mini Cheeseburger Bites! Your family will love them, and you’ll love how simple they are to whip up. Happy cooking!
(Note: I’m really excited for you to try this! When you do, make sure to let me know how it turns out. I LOVE hearing from all of you!)
So, let’s chow down! And for more recipes, follow us on Pinterest.
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Tater Tot Mini Cheeseburger Bites
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Diet: None
Description
Delicious mini cheeseburger bites topped with crispy tater tots, perfect for weeknight dinners or parties.
Ingredients
- 1 bag frozen tater tots
- 1 lb ground beef (or turkey/plant-based ground)
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon ground pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 tablespoon dry minced onion
- Sliced cheddar cheese
- Ketchup
- Hamburger dill pickle chips
- Toothpicks
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C).
- Spread the frozen tater tots evenly on a baking sheet and bake according to package instructions (about 20-25 minutes), turning halfway through.
- In a mixing bowl, combine the ground beef with salt, pepper, garlic powder, and minced onion.
- Shape the beef mixture into small patties slightly larger than the tater tots.
- Cook the patties in a skillet over medium heat for about 3-4 minutes on each side until browned.
- Top each patty with a slice of cheese and cover until melted (about 1-2 minutes).
- Assemble each bite by stacking a tater tot, squirt of ketchup, cheesy patty, pickle chip, and another tater tot, securing with a toothpick.
- Serve warm and enjoy!
Notes
These bites are highly customizable – swap ingredients based on your preferences! Serve with dipping sauces.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Baking and Skillet Cooking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 2-3 bites
- Calories: 300
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 600mg
- Fat: 15g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 30g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 12g
- Cholesterol: 50mg