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Mini Tater Tot Cheeseburgers Recipe

4.8 from 663 reviews

These Mini Tater Tot Cheeseburgers are a fun and bite-sized twist on classic cheeseburgers, perfect for parties or appetizers. Crispy baked tater tots sandwich a juicy, flavorful mini beef patty topped with melted cheese, fresh lettuce, and tangy pickles, finished with your favorite condiments. Easy to prepare and sure to please a crowd, they combine the best of comfort food into delightful finger foods.

Ingredients

Scale

For the Mini Patties:

  • 1 lb lean ground beef
  • 1/2 small yellow onion, minced
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1/2 tsp black pepper
  • 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
  • 2 tbsp vegetable or canola oil (for cooking)

For the Tater Tots:

  • 1 (32-ounce) bag frozen tater tots

For the Toppings and Assembly:

  • 8 slices American or mild cheddar cheese, cut into quarters
  • Mini pickles or gherkins, thinly sliced
  • 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved (for serving)
  • 1 cup shredded iceberg lettuce
  • Ketchup, mustard, and mayonnaise, for serving
  • Optional: sesame seeds, fresh chives, toothpicks (for garnish and assembly)

Instructions

  1. Prepare the tater tots: Preheat your oven to 400-425°F (200-220°C) following the package directions for the tater tots. Line baking sheets with parchment paper, spread the tots in a single layer, and bake for 20-30 minutes, flipping halfway through until golden and crispy. Once done, set them aside to cool slightly.
  2. Cut the cheese: Take each slice of American or mild cheddar cheese and cut it into four smaller squares to make perfect mini cheese toppings for the burgers.
  3. Make the burger mixture: In a large bowl, gently combine the ground beef, minced yellow onion, garlic powder, salt, black pepper, and Worcestershire sauce. Mix just until combined to avoid tough patties.
  4. Form mini patties: Scoop about 1 tablespoon of the beef mixture per patty. Roll each into a ball, then flatten into a disk about 1 to 1.5 inches in diameter and 1/4 inch thick. Place them on a plate and optionally chill for 15-20 minutes to help them hold shape.
  5. Cook the patties: Heat 2 tablespoons of vegetable or canola oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Cook the patties in batches for 2-3 minutes on the first side until nicely browned.
  6. Add cheese and finish cooking: Flip the patties and cook for another 1-2 minutes on the second side. Immediately place a cheese square on each patty, reduce the heat to low, cover the skillet, and let the cheese melt for 30-60 seconds. Remove the cooked patties and drain them on paper towels.
  7. Assemble the mini cheeseburgers: On a serving platter, place a crispy tater tot as the bottom bun. Add a small dollop of your preferred sauce such as ketchup, mustard, or mayonnaise. Top with one cheesy mini beef patty, then layer on shredded lettuce and 1-2 thin pickle slices. Crown each with another crispy tater tot as the top bun.
  8. Serve and garnish: Secure each mini burger with a toothpick if desired. Arrange on a platter with additional halved cherry tomatoes and extra shredded lettuce. Offer extra condiments on the side and serve immediately to enjoy the tots’ crispiness.

Notes

  • Chilling the formed patties before cooking helps them keep their shape better.
  • To save time, you can bake the tater tots in advance, but assemble and serve the cheeseburgers right before serving for optimal crispiness.
  • Use lean ground beef to reduce excess grease during cooking.
  • Feel free to swap American cheese for your preferred melty cheese like mild cheddar or Colby Jack.
  • Optionally garnish with sesame seeds or fresh chopped chives for a decorative touch.

Keywords: Mini cheeseburgers, tater tot appetizers, bite-sized burgers, party food, finger food, easy appetizers