Bacon Cheeseburger Tater Tot Cones
There's something magical about turning a classic American cheeseburger into a playful, handheld appetizer, and these Bacon Cheeseburger Tater Tot Cones do just that. Home cooks love them for game day gatherings, potlucks, or even a fun weeknight treat-they're irresistibly gooey, packed with savory flavors, and always a crowd-pleaser. The crispy tater tot cones cradle a juicy beef and bacon filling, melted cheese, and all the familiar burger toppings, making them an unforgettable bite-sized indulgence.
What Makes This Recipe Special
- The tater tot cones are hollowed out and stuffed like edible cups, creating a fun and unique presentation that elevates a simple appetizer into a showstopper.
- A double-cheese layer-cheddar mixed into the beef filling and mozzarella sprinkled on top-ensures every bite is rich and melty.
- Beef bacon adds a smoky depth that pairs perfectly with the beef patty, while diced onions bring a subtle crunch and freshness to balance the dish.
- The recipe cleverly uses the tater tots' own starchy structure as the vessel, requiring minimal extra ingredients or equipment beyond what you likely already have.
Ingredients
450 gground beef
6 slicesbeef bacon, cooked and crumbled
120 gshredded cheddar cheese
24 frozentater tots
120 gshredded mozzarella cheese
75 gdiced onions
60 mlketchup
60 mlmayonnaise
60 mlmustard
Salt, to taste
Black pepper, to taste
Nutrition
320.5 caloriesCalories
Per serving · Values are estimates
Instructions
1
Preheat oven to 220°C. In a skillet over medium heat, cook ground beef until browned. Drain excess fat. Stir in crumbled beef bacon, diced onions, ketchup, mayonnaise, and mustard. Season with salt and black pepper. Mix thoroughly and remove from heat.
2
Using a small knife or spoon, hollow out each tater tot to create a cone shape. Carefully fill each cone with the prepared beef bacon cheeseburger mixture. Sprinkle shredded cheddar cheese over the filled cones.
3
Arrange the stuffed tater tot cones on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Bake in preheated oven for 15–20 minutes, or until tater tots are golden and cheddar cheese is melted.
4
In a separate bowl, mix shredded mozzarella cheese with any remaining beef bacon cheeseburger mixture. Once cones are baked, remove from oven and top each with a generous amount of the mozzarella mixture.
5
Return cones to oven and bake an additional 5–10 minutes, or until cheese topping is bubbly and golden brown. Serve hot for maximum gooey enjoyment.
Essential Tips
Hollowing technique
Use a small spoon or melon baller to scoop out the tater tots, leaving a thin shell about 1/4 inch thick. Rotate the tot as you scoop to create an even cone shape-this prevents cracking when baking.
Cheese placement
Mix shredded cheddar directly into the beef mixture for even distribution, then sprinkle mozzarella on top before the final bake. This ensures a gooey, melted layer without making the cones soggy.
Bacon crumbling
Cook the bacon until it's extra crispy, then crumble it finely. This prevents the bacon from overpowering the cones and ensures it blends seamlessly into the beef filling.
Onion prep
Use a food processor to finely dice the onions for even distribution, or sauté them briefly before adding to the beef to remove excess moisture and prevent soggy tater tots.
Filling consistency
Drain the beef well after cooking to avoid excess grease seeping into the tater tot cones. A slightly drier filling will hold together better and crisp up nicely during baking.
Smart Swaps & Variations
Turkey version
Swap ground beef for ground turkey, and use turkey bacon to create a lighter but still flavorful version. Adjust cooking time slightly to account for leaner meat.
Spicy kick
Add diced jalapeños or a dash of hot sauce to the beef mixture, and top the cones with pepper jack cheese for a spicy twist on the classic.
Vegetarian
Replace the beef with a plant-based crumble or finely chopped mushrooms, and use vegan bacon and cheese for a fully vegetarian appetizer.
Breakfast cones
Transform this into a breakfast dish by swapping the beef for breakfast sausage, adding scrambled eggs to the filling, and topping with shredded cheddar and chives.
What to Serve With This
- Serve with a side of classic French fries or a crisp green salad to balance the richness of the cones.
- Offer small cups of ketchup, mustard, and mayo for dipping, or a tangy chipotle ranch for an extra kick.
- Pair with a cold craft beer, like an amber ale or IPA, to cut through the richness and complement the smoky bacon flavor.
- For a full meal, serve alongside loaded cheese fries or a simple grilled vegetable skewer for a satisfying spread.
Storage & Reheating
Storage
Store leftover cones in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat only once to preserve texture and flavor.
Reheating
To reheat, place the cones on a baking sheet and warm in a 175°C oven for 5-7 minutes, or until heated through. Avoid microwaving, as it can make the tater tots soggy.
Expert Chef Tips
- For extra crispiness, toss the hollowed tater tots with a light coating of cornstarch or flour before hollowing. This helps the cones hold their shape and adds a subtle crunch.
- Use a piping bag fitted with a large round tip to fill the cones with the beef mixture, ensuring even distribution and a cleaner presentation.
- If the cones start to brown too quickly during baking, tent the baking sheet loosely with foil to prevent over-browning while allowing the cheese to melt fully.
Equipment You’ll Need
- Muffin tin or parchment paper (to hold cones upright during baking)
- Small spoon or melon baller (for hollowing out tater tots)
- Skillet (for cooking beef and bacon)
- Mixing bowls (for beef mixture and cheese topping)
Nutritional Benefits
- Each cone provides approximately 320 calories, with protein from the beef and bacon contributing to satiety and muscle repair.
- The dish is high in saturated fat due to the beef, bacon, and cheese, so enjoy in moderation or opt for leaner protein swaps like turkey.
- Tater tots contribute carbohydrates and a small amount of fiber, while the onions add vitamins C and K, as well as antioxidants.
- For a lower-sodium option, use low-sodium bacon and cheese, and reduce the added salt in the beef mixture.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Can I make these ahead of time?
Yes! Assemble the cones up to the point of baking, then cover and refrigerate for up to 24 hours. When ready to serve, bake as directed, adding 5-10 minutes to the baking time to account for the cold temperature. Do not pre-fill the cones with the beef mixture if storing overnight, as the tater tots may absorb moisture and become soggy.
What's the best way to hollow out the tater tots without breaking them?
Use a small spoon or melon baller to scoop out the center, rotating the tater tot as you go to create an even cone shape. Work gently to avoid cracking the tot-if one breaks, use it as a base and fill it with extra beef mixture.
Can I use regular bacon instead of beef bacon?
Yes, regular pork bacon works well and adds a classic smoky flavor. Cook it until crispy, then crumble it finely to blend seamlessly into the beef mixture.
How do I prevent the cones from falling over while baking?
Arrange the cones in a muffin tin or use a silicone baking mat with indentations to hold them upright. Alternatively, press the bottom of each cone slightly into the parchment-lined baking sheet to create a stable base.
Can I freeze these for later?
Yes, freeze the assembled (unbaked) cones on a baking sheet until solid, then transfer to a freezer bag for up to 3 months. Bake from frozen, adding 10-15 minutes to the baking time and covering loosely with foil for the first half to prevent over-browning.
What's the best cheese to use for the topping?
For the gooiest texture, use shredded mozzarella mixed with a small amount of shredded cheddar. Avoid pre-shredded cheese blends with anti-caking agents, as they don't melt as smoothly.
How do I reheat these without making them soggy?
Reheat the cones in a 175°C oven for 5-7 minutes, or until heated through. Avoid the microwave, as it can make the tater tots soft and the cheese rubbery. For best results, only reheat once.
Can I make these in an air fryer?
Yes! Arrange the hollowed tater tots in the air fryer basket in a single layer and air fry at 200°C for 8-10 minutes to crisp the cones. Fill with the beef mixture, top with cheese, and air fry for an additional 3-5 minutes until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
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