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