These Tater Tot Mini Burger Bites are the ultimate bite-sized finger food that brings the classic cheeseburger experience to a whole new level of fun. By swapping traditional buns for crispy tater tots, you get a crunchy, savory appetizer that is perfect for game days, parties, or just a fun family dinner.
With perfectly seasoned beef patties, gooey melted cheddar, and a tangy pickle, these adorable sliders are guaranteed to be the first thing to disappear from the snack table.
Recipe Details
- Flavor Profile: All the classic hits of a cheeseburger savory beef, salty cheese, tangy pickle, and sweet ketchup packed into one bite.
- Texture: The crispy exterior of the tater tot “buns” contrasts perfectly with the juicy burger patty and the snap of a pickle chip.
- Time: 10 minutes prep, 20 minutes cook time.
- Difficulty: Easy. The only tricky part is shaping the tiny patties, but it’s more fun than hard!
What You’ll Need
To make this recipe, you will need a baking sheet to cook the tater tots and a skillet to fry the mini burgers. A sharp knife is needed to cut the cheese slices. Toothpicks are essential for holding these towering little bites together. The ingredients rely on frozen tater tots, lean ground beef, and classic burger condiments.
Ingredient Notes
- Tater Tots – You will need a standard bag of frozen tater tots. Cook them until they are extra crispy so they hold up as “buns.”
- Ground Beef – 1 lb of ground beef makes plenty of mini patties. A leaner blend (like 90/10) works well to minimize grease since you are frying them.
- Cheese – Sliced cheddar cheese works best. Cutting one slice into 9 squares creates the perfect size for these micro-burgers.
- Dry Minced Onion – This adds that classic fast-food onion flavor without the moisture or crunch of raw onions, which might not cook through in such small patties.
- Pickle Chips – Hamburger dill chips add the necessary acid and crunch. You might want to pat them dry so they don’t make the tot soggy.
- Seasonings – A simple mix of salt, pepper, and garlic powder ensures the meat is flavorful.
Add-ins and Substitutions
- Sauce – Swap ketchup for BBQ sauce, mustard, or a “special sauce” (mayo + ketchup + relish) for a different flavor profile.
- Bacon – A small piece of crispy bacon added to the stack makes these “bacon cheeseburger” bites.
- Cheese – American cheese slices melt beautifully if you prefer that classic burger texture over cheddar.
- Veggie – A tiny square of lettuce or a cherry tomato half can add freshness to the skewer.
How to Make Tater Tot Mini Burger Bites
- Bake Tots: Cook the tater tots in the oven according to the package directions. Aim for the crispier side of the cooking time so they are sturdy.
- Season Meat: Meanwhile, in a medium bowl, mix together the ground beef, salt, pepper, garlic powder, and dry minced onion until well combined.
- Form Patties: Form the meat into little patties slightly larger than the width of a tater tot (remember, they will shrink as they cook). You want them to eventually match the size of the tot.
- Cook Burgers: Cook the little burgers in a skillet or frying pan over medium-high heat, flipping occasionally, until they are browned on both sides and cooked to your desired doneness.
- Melt Cheese: Cut the cheddar cheese slices into 9 little squares (make two cuts vertically and two cuts horizontally). Top each hot mini burger with a square of cheese and allow it to melt.
- Assemble: To build the bites, add a dot of ketchup to the top of one tater tot. Place the cheeseburger patty on top, followed by a pickle chip, and finish with another tater tot on top.
- Secure: Lightly squeeze the stack together and secure everything with a toothpick down the center. Serve warm.
Pro Tip: When shaping the patties, make a tiny indentation in the center with your thumb. This prevents the burgers from puffing up into balls as they cook, keeping them flat and stackable.
Recipe Tips
- Timing: Start the tots first. While they bake, you can prep and cook the meat so everything is hot and ready to assemble at the same time.
- Cheese Melting: If the cheese isn’t melting fast enough in the pan, you can cover the skillet with a lid for the last 30 seconds of cooking to trap the steam.
- Toothpick Safety: If serving to kids, make sure they know there is a toothpick inside! Using colorful or frilly toothpicks makes them easier to see.
FAQs
- Can I bake the burgers? Yes, you can bake the mini patties on a separate sheet pan in the oven along with the tots for about 10-12 minutes, flipping halfway.
- Can I make these ahead? These are best assembled fresh so the tots stay crispy. However, you can cook the patties ahead of time and reheat them before assembling.
- How many does this make? One pound of beef typically yields about 20-24 mini patties, depending on how small you make them.
Serving Suggestions
- Dip: Serve with extra ketchup and mustard on the side for dipping.
- Salad: A wedge salad or coleslaw makes a great side dish.
- Platter: Arrange them on a platter with other finger foods like wings or veggie sticks.
Make This Recipe in Advance
- Pattie Prep: You can season and shape the raw patties a day in advance. Store them in the fridge on a plate covered with plastic wrap until you are ready to fry them.
- Assembly: Assemble right before serving to prevent the tater tots from getting soggy from the pickle and ketchup.
Tater Tot Mini Burger Bites
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: Approx. 20-24 Bites
Description
These Tater Tot Mini Burger Bites are the ultimate bite-sized finger food that brings the classic cheeseburger experience to a whole new level of fun. By swapping traditional buns for crispy tater tots, you get a crunchy, savory appetizer that is perfect for game days, parties, or just a fun family dinner. With perfectly seasoned beef patties, gooey melted cheddar, and a tangy pickle, these adorable sliders are guaranteed to be the first thing to disappear from the snack table.
Ingredients
The Base & Buns
- 1 bag frozen tater tots (cook extra crispy!)
- Toothpicks (for assembly)
The Mini Patties
- 1 lb lean ground beef
- 1 tablespoon dried minced onion
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
The Toppings
- Cheddar cheese slices (cut into small squares)
- Hamburger dill pickle chips
- Ketchup (or your favorite burger sauce)
Instructions
Bake Tots
Preheat your oven and bake the tater tots according to the package directions. Tip: Aim for the crispier side of the cooking time so they are sturdy enough to hold the burger.
Season Meat
Meanwhile, in a medium bowl, mix together the ground beef, salt, pepper, garlic powder, and dried minced onion until well combined.
Form Patties
Form the meat into small patties. Size: Make them slightly larger than the width of a tater tot (they will shrink as they cook). Shape: Use your thumb to make a tiny indentation in the center of each patty to prevent it from puffing up into a ball.
Cook Burgers
Heat a skillet over medium-high heat. Fry: Cook the mini burgers, flipping occasionally, until browned on both sides and cooked through.
Melt Cheese
Cut your cheddar cheese slices into 9 small squares (make two cuts vertically and two horizontally). Top: Place a cheese square on each hot patty in the pan and allow it to melt. (Cover the pan for 30 seconds if needed).
Assemble
Build the bites! Base: Start with one crispy tater tot. Sauce: Add a dot of ketchup. Stack: Place the cheesy burger patty on top, followed by a pickle chip. Top: Finish with another tater tot on top. Secure: Gently squeeze the stack and secure everything with a toothpick down the center. Serve warm.
Notes
The “Bun” Ratio: You will need two tater tots for every one burger patty (one for the bottom, one for the top). Ensure you bake enough tots!
Cheese Sizing: Since these burgers are bite-sized, a full slice of cheese is too big. Cutting one slice into a 3×3 grid (9 small squares) creates the perfect size for these micro-burgers.
Toothpick Safety: If serving to kids, use colorful or frilly toothpicks so they are easily visible and don’t get eaten by accident.
Make Ahead: The patties can be seasoned and shaped a day in advance. Store them in the fridge on a plate covered with plastic wrap until you are ready to fry.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Appetizer / Dinner
- Method: Oven / Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 Burger Bite
- Calories: 120
- Sugar: 1g
- Sodium: 210mg
- Fat: 8g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 6g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 6g
- Cholesterol: 20mg
Keywords: tater tot casserole, burger bites, appetizer recipes, game day food, cheeseburger sliders, kid friendly dinner, mini burgers
