Cheeseburger Tots Recipe
Introduction
Cheeseburger Tots are a fun and delicious twist on classic cheeseburgers, combining crispy tater tots, seasoned ground beef, melted cheddar, and a tangy special sauce. These bite-sized treats are perfect for parties, snacks, or a playful dinner option that everyone will love.

Ingredients
- 48 Frozen Tater Tots
- 1 pound Ground beef
- 1/2 cup Finely diced onion
- Salt and Pepper to taste
- 2 tablespoons Mayonnaise
- 2 tablespoons Yellow mustard
- 2 tablespoons Ketchup
- 2 tablespoons Pickle relish
- 1 cup Shredded cheddar cheese
- 24 Mini pickles for garnish
- 1/2 cup Mayonnaise (for special sauce)
- 4 tablespoons Pickle relish (for special sauce)
- 2 tablespoons Yellow mustard (for special sauce)
- 1 teaspoon White wine vinegar
- 1 teaspoon Paprika
- 1 teaspoon Onion powder
- 1 teaspoon Garlic powder
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C).
- Step 2: In a skillet over medium-high heat, brown the ground beef. Once browned, drain any grease. Return the beef to the skillet, add the diced onions, and cook until the onions soften.
- Step 3: Stir in 2 tablespoons each of mayonnaise, yellow mustard, ketchup, and pickle relish into the beef mixture. Season with salt and pepper to taste and combine well.
- Step 4: Grease a mini muffin pan, then place three tater tots in each cup. Bake for 10 minutes until they start to crisp.
- Step 5: Remove the pan and gently press down the tater tots in each cup using a tamper or the back of a spoon to form a cup shape.
- Step 6: Spoon the ground beef mixture into each tater tot cup, then sprinkle shredded cheddar cheese on top.
- Step 7: Return the pan to the oven and bake for another 15 minutes, until the cheese melts and the tots are fully cooked.
- Step 8: Let the cheeseburger tots cool in the pan for 5 minutes before carefully removing them.
- Step 9: Meanwhile, prepare the special sauce by mixing together 1/2 cup mayonnaise, 4 tablespoons pickle relish, 2 tablespoons yellow mustard, white wine vinegar, paprika, onion powder, and garlic powder until smooth.
- Step 10: Drizzle the special sauce over the tots and garnish each with a mini pickle slice. Serve warm and enjoy!
Tips & Variations
- For extra flavor, add a pinch of smoked paprika or cayenne pepper to the beef mixture.
- Substitute ground turkey or chicken for a lighter option.
- Try different cheeses like pepper jack or mozzarella for varied taste.
- You can prepare the special sauce ahead and refrigerate it for up to a week.
Storage
Store leftover cheeseburger tots in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat them in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for about 10 minutes to maintain crispiness. Avoid microwaving if you want to keep the tots crispy.
How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.
FAQs
Can I make these ahead of time?
Yes, you can assemble the tater tot cups with the beef mixture and cheese, then refrigerate for a few hours before baking. Add a few extra minutes to the baking time if baking from chilled.
What can I substitute for mini pickles?
If you don’t have mini pickles, thin slices of regular dill pickles or even pickled jalapeños can work as a garnish with a slightly different flavor.
PrintCheeseburger Tots Recipe
Cheeseburger Tots are a fun and delicious appetizer or snack combining crispy baked tater tots with savory ground beef, melted cheddar cheese, and a tangy special sauce. These bite-sized treats are perfect for parties or casual gatherings, offering all the flavor of a classic cheeseburger in a handheld form.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 24 servings 1x
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
For the Cheeseburger Tots
- 48 Frozen Tater Tots
- 1 pound Ground beef
- 1/2 cup Finely diced onion
- Salt and Pepper to taste
- 2 tablespoons Mayonnaise
- 2 tablespoons Yellow mustard
- 2 tablespoons Ketchup
- 2 tablespoons Pickle relish
- 1 cup Shredded cheddar cheese
- 24 Mini Pickles for garnish
For the Special Sauce
- 1/2 cup Mayonnaise
- 4 tablespoons Pickle relish
- 2 tablespoons Yellow mustard
- 1 teaspoon White wine vinegar
- 1 teaspoon Paprika
- 1 teaspoon Onion powder
- 1 teaspoon Garlic powder
Instructions
- Preheat the oven: Set your oven to 425°F (220°C) to prepare for baking the tater tots.
- Brown the ground beef and onions: In a skillet over medium-high heat, cook the ground beef until browned. Drain excess grease, then add the diced onions back into the skillet and cook until the onions soften.
- Mix the beef with condiments: Stir in 2 tablespoons mayonnaise, 2 tablespoons yellow mustard, 2 tablespoons ketchup, and 2 tablespoons pickle relish into the beef and onion mixture. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Prepare the tater tot cups: Lightly grease a mini muffin pan and place three frozen tater tots into each cup.
- Bake the tots initially: Bake the tater tots in the preheated oven for 10 minutes to soften them slightly.
- Form the tot cups: Remove the pan from the oven and use a tamper or similar tool to press the tater tots down firmly to create a cup shape.
- Fill the tot cups: Spoon the beef mixture into each tater tot cup and then top each with shredded cheddar cheese.
- Bake again: Return the filled tater tot cups to the oven and bake for another 15 minutes, until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Cool the tots: Remove from oven and allow the cheeseburger tots to cool for 5 minutes before carefully removing from the muffin pan.
- Make the special sauce: While the tots cool, combine 1/2 cup mayonnaise, 4 tablespoons pickle relish, 2 tablespoons yellow mustard, 1 teaspoon white wine vinegar, 1 teaspoon paprika, 1 teaspoon onion powder, and 1 teaspoon garlic powder in a bowl and mix thoroughly.
- Serve: Drizzle the special sauce over the cheeseburger tots and garnish with mini pickle slices. Serve warm and enjoy your tasty appetizer!
Notes
- Using a tamper or the bottom of a small glass helps shape the tater tots into perfect cups.
- You can substitute ground turkey or chicken for a leaner option.
- Adjust seasoning and sauces according to your taste preference.
- Make sure to drain grease well to avoid soggy tots.
- These tots are delicious served fresh but can be stored covered in the fridge for up to 2 days and reheated.
Keywords: cheeseburger tots, tater tots, appetizer, party food, baked snacks, ground beef recipe, comfort food

