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Bacon cheeseburger stuffed tater tot cones are pretty much the happiest way to serve a classic comfort combo at any gathering. The crispy tater tots become the most addictive cones for a hearty, cheesy cheeseburger filling loaded with crunchy bacon and all your favorite toppings. They are always the first thing to disappear at parties in my house and I love how hands-on and customizable they are.
I remember making these for my nephew’s birthday and watching the kids eyes go wide with excitement when they saw the crispy edible cones
Ingredients
- Frozen tater tots: the base for the cones look for brands with minimal fillers so they crisp up best
- Non stick cooking spray: helps brown and crisp the cones evenly without sticking
- Ground beef: classic cheeseburger flavor use eighty twenty for juiciness and flavor
- Small onion: finely diced for sweet aromatic background pick a fresh firm onion for the best taste
- Garlic: minced to add depth to the filling fresh cloves are best
- Crispy bacon: chopped for crunch and smoky flavor thick cut bacon works especially well
- Shredded cheddar cheese: brings gooey melt and sharp flavor always shred from a block for best meltability
- Ketchup: adds the signature tang and sweetness go for real tomato ketchup not imitation
- Yellow mustard: for zippy bite and true cheeseburger taste
- Worcestershire sauce: for deep savory umami flavor
- Salt and pepper: pulls everything together use freshly ground black pepper for an extra punch
- Pickle slices, extra shredded cheese, diced tomatoes, chopped lettuce, and burger sauce: as fresh garnishes give cooling crunch and classic burger bar vibes choose crisp fresh veggies for color and crunch
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Make the Tater Tot Cones:
- Preheat your oven to four hundred degrees Fahrenheit two hundred degrees Celsius and get out a large baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Arrange tater tots in a single layer so they bake evenly and do not get soggy. Bake for ten to twelve minutes just enough to soften them up so you can mold but not so long that they start to break down. Allow them to cool for two to three minutes so you don’t burn your fingers. Shape the warm tots around sturdy cone molds or form cone shapes out of aluminum foil. Press firmly and tightly so the structure holds together when baked. Place the filled cones seam side down on the baking sheet. Mist with non stick cooking spray to promote browning and crisping on the outside. Return to the oven for fifteen to twenty minutes more until cones are deeply golden and crisp. Carefully remove each cone from the mold and let cool on a wire rack while you prep the filling.
- Prepare the Cheeseburger Filling:
- In a large skillet over medium heat cook the chopped onion for about two or three minutes until soft and fragrant. Add the ground beef and minced garlic breaking the beef into small crumbles as it cooks. Continue cooking for six to eight minutes stirring occasionally until the beef is nicely browned. Drain excess grease if needed so the filling does not get watery. Stir in the ketchup yellow mustard Worcestershire sauce salt and pepper. Let the mixture bubble for two more minutes so the flavors really combine. Remove pan from heat and gently fold in your crispy chopped bacon and shredded cheese until everything is melted together and irresistibly gooey.
- Assemble and Finish the Cones:
- Fill each tater tot cone with a scoop of your hot cheesy cheeseburger mixture. Mound extra shredded cheese on top for melty goodness if you like. Set the filled cones back on the baking sheet and broil or bake for two or three minutes just until the cheese melts and gets bubbly. Add pickle slices diced tomatoes a scatter of chopped lettuce or a drizzle of burger sauce for fun fresh toppings. Serve right away while the cones are still hot and crisp.
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Bacon is my favorite ingredient here because it delivers a smoky salty punch that balances out the richness of the beef and cheese. My family still talks about the night we had a build your own cone bar and everyone got to top their cones exactly how they wanted. It always brings big smiles.
Storage Tips
If you have leftovers cool them completely before storing in an airtight container. Tater tot cones can turn a little soft overnight but they crisp up again in the oven or air fryer at three hundred seventy five degrees Fahrenheit for about seven minutes. Store garnishes separately and add just before serving for the best texture.
Ingredient Swaps
No beef on hand you can use ground turkey or chicken for a lighter version. For vegetarians lentil or mushroom crumbles stand in well. Get creative with the cheese too pepper jack or Monterey Jack give extra zing. If you want a little heat chop in some pickled jalapenos with your beef.
Serving Ideas
Turn this into a party platter by offering a cone bar with several toppings bowls. For a hearty meal serve the cones alongside sweet potato fries or a crisp green salad. Small cones also make perfect hand held appetizers at tailgates or cookouts.
A Fun Food History Bite
Stuffed cones have roots in playful street food all over the world but burger flavors and crispy tater tots are an unmistakably American match. The fun of shaping food into cones makes even regular weeknights feel festive in my house. It is like diner food got a party hat.
Frequently Asked Questions
- → How do I keep the tater tot cones from falling apart?
Press the tater tots firmly onto the mold, and bake until golden and crispy so they keep their shape well.
- → Can I make the filling in advance?
Yes, prep the beef and cheese mixture ahead of time and assemble just before serving for best results.
- → What toppings go well with these cones?
Classic burger toppers like pickles, lettuce, diced tomatoes, or even spicy sauces add extra flavor and freshness.
- → Do I need special baking molds for the cones?
If you don't have cone molds, shape cones using foil for a DIY solution—it works just as well.
- → Is there a vegetarian version?
Absolutely! Substitute the ground beef with plant-based crumbles and omit the bacon for a meatless twist.