These easy and delicious Tater Tot Mini Cheeseburger Bites are the perfect bite sized appetizer for your next party! This recipe uses a quick and easy oven method for cooking the bacon infused mini burgers for an easy appetizer you can whip up in no time!
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Tater Tot Mini Cheeseburger Bites- the perfect party appetizer!
An easy appetizer that's perfect for memorial day weekend (hello 3-day weekend!), these Tater Tot Mini Cheeseburger Bites take burger sliders to a whole new level!
if you're a tater tot fanatic like me, you'll love these bite sized burgers, which swap a classic bun for crispy tater tots (or Crispy Crowns).
This Tater Tot Mini Cheeseburger Bites recipe is the perfect mini snack for your next game day party!
Ingredients
Here's what you'll need to make these tasty Tater Tot Mini Cheeseburger Bites:
- One bag of frozen Crispy Crowns or tater tots. I love Crispy Crowns for this recipe due to their round shape (making them perfect bus!) but regular tater tots will work great as well!
- Ground beef. I use 80/20, but can use lean ground beef if you prefer.
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper.
- Garlic powder and onion powder.
- Shredded sharp cheddar cheese. I prefer to shred my own for the best texture and flavor. I love Cabot Seriously Sharp for this recipe. It's my all time favorite sharp cheddar!
- Worcestershire sauce. This adds a nice umami hit to the burger mixture. I love Lea and Perrins.
- Bacon bits. These will be mixed into the burger blend along with the shredded cheddar, Worcestershire sauce, and spices for super flavorful mini burgers! I always get my bacon bits from Aldi! They are so tasty, and so affordable!
- Sliced cheddar cheese. You'll cut each slice into 6 equal squares, making 3 cuts crosswise and 3 cuts lengthwise to form 6 mini slices.
- Caramelized onion jam or sauce of choice. You can use any sauce you like! See recommendations in the Substitutions and Additions section below!
- Dill pickle chips, or sliced pickles. Claussen is my top tier pickle.
How to make Tater Tot Mini Cheeseburger Bites
These tiny Tater Tot Burgers are the perfect appetizer for your next BBQ or Game Day get together (one of the best game day foods)! Here's how to make them:
- Cook tater tots in the oven according to package directions (alternatively, you can air fry or deep fry them according to package directions). These typically bake at 425 for about 18-20 minutes. Once the tots are cooked, set them aside and reduce the oven temperature to 400. Place 2 half sheet pans, or 1 large sheet pan into the oven, and preheat for 10 minutes.
- Mix together ground beef, salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, bacon bits, and shedded sharp cheddar until just combined (do not over-mix or it will result in tough burgers).
- Form the ground beef mixture into little patties slightly larger than the width of the crispy crowns or tater tots (burgers will shrink a bit as they cook). This is about the size of the top of a shot glass. I typically use a teaspoon measure to scoop them, and form them into even, relatively flat patties so they cook evenly.
- Cut the cheddar cheese for topping the baked burgers. You'll cut each slice into 6 equal squares, making 3 cuts crosswise and 3 cuts lengthwise to form 6 mini slices.
- Transfer burger patties to the preheated baking sheet(s) and bake burgers for 3-4 minutes, flip, top with cheese and cook until cheese is just melted, about 1-2 minutes.
- Assemble the mini cheeseburgers by adding caramelized onion jam to the top of a tater tot, then adding the cheeseburger patty on top, followed by a pickle chip and another tater tot. Secure each assembled burger with a toothpick. (see full ingredients list and instructions in recipe card below).
Substitutions and Additions
These Tater Tot Mini Cheeseburger Bites are easily adapted to work with what you have on hand in your refrigerator and pantry, as well as your personal preferences. Here are some great swaps and additions you can use to make this adorable bite sized recipe your own!
- Use any of your favorite toppings for this recipe! While this recipe used caramelized onion jam, you could easily use ketchup, mustard (team spicy brown over here), or ranch dressing!
- Swap the sliced pickles for pickle relish!
- Use classic American cheese or Monterey Jack cheese in place of the cheddar cheese!
- Cook your mini burgers in a large skillet instead of in the oven, over medium high heat.
- Turn them into one bite tater tot cups by cooking the tater tots or crispy crowns in a mini muffin tin, then topping with the cooked burger patties and melting the cheese right on top! if using classic tater tots, give them a gentle press for a bit more surface area before topping with the burgers and cheese. Serve them with an array of condiments and topping for your guests!
- Make some Bourbon Bacon Onion Jam in place of the caramelized onion jam!
- Swap the bacon bits for about ¼ cup finely chopped cooked bacon.
Tools
- Baking sheets or sheet pans. You'll want to preheat these in a hot oven so the burgers begin cooking right when they hit the pan. You can also use them to bake the tater tots if you are not frying, or using your air fryer.
- Cocktail toothpicks. A good sturdy toothpick is perfect for these Tater Tot Mini Cheeseburger Bites, as they can hold the burgers well, making them easier for guests to grab and go.
Dipping Sauces
These bite sized burgers are so tiny and cute, and perfect for dipping! Here are some great sauces you can make to elevate the Tater Tot Mini Burgers!
- Big mac sauce or special sauce. I've got a great one featured in this Baked Cheeseburger sliders recipe!
- Sriracha Aioli, for a little kick!
- Creamy Chipotle Sauce.
- Gochujang Mayo, for a little Korean-inspired flair.
What to serve with the Tater Tot Mini Cheeseburger Bites
Classic french fries are a great side for potato lovers, or you could serve them alongside some easy Doctored Up Baked Beans, or Creamy Bacon Cheddar Broccoli Salad!
More great appetizer and slider recipes!
if you love these Tater Tot Mini Cheeseburger Bites, you'll love these tasty appetizers, too!
- Miso Butter Glazed Crispy Chicken Wings
- Philly Cheesesteak Sliders
- Garlic Butter Baked Cheeseburger Sliders
- Buffalo Chicken Sliders
Tater Tot Mini Cheeseburger Bites Party Appetizer
Equipment
- baking sheets or sheet pan
- cocktail toothpicks
Ingredients
- 1 30 oz bag of frozen crispy crowns or tater tots (may have a bit extra)
- 1 lb ground beef ( I used 80/20, but can use lean)
- ½ teaspoon table salt
- ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- 1 2.5 oz bag bacon bits, or ¼ cup cooked finely chopped bacon
- ½ cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
- 2 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
- 8-10 slices cheddar cheese (cut into 6 equal squares)
- caramelized onion jam or sauce of choice
- dill pickle chips, or sliced pickles
Instructions
- Cook tater tots in the oven according to package directions (alternatively, you can air fry or deep fry them according to package directions). These typically bake at 425 for about 18-20 minutes. Once the tots are cooked, set them aside and reduce the oven temperature to 400. Place 2 half sheet pans, or 1 large sheet pan into the oven, and preheat for 10 minutes. 2. Mix together ground beef, salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, bacon bits, and shedded sharp cheddar until just combined (do not over-mix or it will result in tough burgers). 3. Form the ground beef mixture into little patties slightly larger than the width of the crispy crowns or tater tots (burgers will shrink a bit as they cook). This is about the size of the top of a shot glass. I typically use a teaspoon measure to scoop them, and form them into even, relatively flat patties so they cook evenly. 4. Cut the cheddar cheese for topping the baked burgers. You'll cut each slice into 6 equal squares, making 3 cuts crosswise and 3 cuts lengthwise to form 6 mini slices. 5. Transfer burger patties to the preheated baking sheet(s) and bake burgers for 3-4 minutes, flip, top with cheese and cook until cheese is just melted, about 1-2 minutes. 6. Assemble the mini cheeseburgers by adding caramelized onion jam to the top of a tater tot, then adding the cheeseburger patty on top, followed by a pickle chip and another tater tot. Secure each assembled burger with a toothpick.
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Beverly Sawyer says
Can you make these ahead of time and how do I reheat?
Sharon says
Hi Beverly! I would say for best flavor and texture, you'd want to cook the burgers and tots pretty close to the time you want to serve them. You could prep the burger blend a day ahead and form the burgers on a sheet tray, store in the refrigerator (covered), and then just pop them in the oven when you are ready to save time! If you opt to not add any toppings, you could assemble them and keep them warm in a low oven until guests arrive, and serve them with dips and additons for guests to add themselves! Hope that helps 🙂