A few summers ago, I volunteered at my granddaughter’s school fair in the cafeteria, helping serve snacks during hot dog relays and beanbag tosses. Midway through, a former student named Daniel popped in now grown, friendly, and always curious about my cooking.
He joked, “Grandma, I bet you could make French fries fancy.” That night I went home thinking about fun snacks, and came up with these mini “cones” using tater tots, ground beef, bacon, and cheddar cheese—tiny burgers you pop in your mouth. When Daniel returned the next weekend to taste them, he made a dramatic show of cheering, turning cartoon eyes wide.
Other kids hovered, dipping in ketchup and smiling around the plate. That unexpected moment reminded me how cooking brings people together, even in simple treats.
Since then, these stuffed tot cones have become my favorite one for casual gatherings—easy to share, satisfying to eat, and full of the kind of warmth that makes people smile.
Short Description
Bacon Cheeseburger Stuffed Tater Tot Cones are crispy tater tots topped with savory seasoned beef, melty cheddar, and crunchy bacon—perfect handheld fun for parties or movie nights.
Key Ingredients
- 450 g ground beef
- 24 frozen tater tots
- 115 g shredded cheddar cheese
- 4 slices cooked bacon, crumbled
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
Tools Needed
- Oven preheated to 425 °F
- Baking sheet
- Skillet for browning beef
- Serving platter or plate
- Cheese grater and mixing bowl
Cooking Instructions
Step 1: Bake Tater Tots
Preheat oven to 425 °F and bake the frozen tater tots on a baking sheet for 20–25 minutes until golden and crispy.
Step 2: Brown the Beef
While tots bake, heat a skillet over medium‑high. Add ground beef, season with salt and pepper, and cook for about 7 minutes, breaking into crumbles. Drain if needed.
Step 3: Build the Cones
Arrange the hot tots on a plate, forming little cone shapes or small mounds. Spoon seasoned beef onto each cone and top with a sprinkle of cheddar and bacon bits.
Step 4: Melt Cheese
Place the assembled cones back in the oven at 425 °F for 5 minutes, or until cheese melts and turns bubbly.
Step 5: Serve Hot
Transfer to a serving platter and enjoy immediately. They’re fun to pick up and eat—no extra utensils needed.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
Flavor Explosion: Crispy tots with seasoned beef, sharp cheddar, and smoky bacon create a bold, satisfying bite.
Fun and Portable: Tots shaped into cones make these handheld and perfect for casual snacking.
Quick and Easy: Minimal ingredients and simple steps, ready in under an hour.
Party-Ready: Great as appetizers, game‑day snacks, or playful family dinners.
Kid-Approved: Even picky eaters enjoy these, familiar flavors in a fun format.
Mistakes to Avoid & Solutions
Soggy tots:
Solution: Be sure to bake tots fully until crisp before adding toppings.
Dry beef:
Solution: Brown the meat thoroughly, then drain excess fat or add a splash of broth if needed.
Uneven melting:
Solution: Place assembled cones back in a hot oven for a few minutes to ensure cheese melts evenly.
Cones collapse:
Solution: Arrange tots in a stable mound; use a plate edge for support if needed.
Serving and Pairing Suggestions
Serve on a platter for party-style grabbing
Offer dipping sauces: ketchup, ranch, or spicy mayo
Pair with a crisp salad or coleslaw for balance
Great with cold drinks: soda, beer, iced tea
Ideal for potluck spreads or movie night finger food
Storage and Reheating Tips
Storage: Place leftovers in an airtight container and refrigerate up to 2 days
Reheat: Rewarm in a 350 °F oven for 8–10 minutes to maintain crunch
Air fryer option: Reheat at 350 °F for 3–4 minutes for crispness
Avoid microwaving: It softens both tots and cheese—stick to oven or air fryer
FAQs
1. Can I use mini tater tots instead of large ones?
Yes, just adjust baking time by a few minutes for crispness.
2. Can I substitute ground turkey or chicken?
Definitely, season similarly, and they make a leaner filling.
3. Can this be made vegetarian?
Swap beef and bacon for cooked mushrooms or black bean mix; omit meat.
4. Do I need to drain beef fat?
Yes, drain any excess to prevent soggy surfaces.
5. Can these be made ahead?
Partially, bake tots and cook beef ahead, assemble, then melt cheese right before serving.
Tips & Tricks
Use freshly shredded cheddar for better melt and flavor
Cook bacon in advance for time-saving assembly
Form tater tot cones gently, not too tightly packed
Warm platter in oven briefly before serving to keep them warm
Add finely chopped pickles or diced onions for extra flair
Recipe Variations
Tex-Mex Tot Cones
Season beef with taco spices, top with pepper jack cheese and salsa, and garnish with cilantro.
Breakfast Tot Cones
Replace beef with scrambled eggs and cooked breakfast sausage, using cheddar and crisp bacon.
Cheese Lover’s Version
Mix cheddar with Monterey Jack or smoked gouda; double up on cheese layers.
Vegan Option
Use plant-based ground beef substitute, vegan cheese, and omit bacon or use coconut bacon.
Final Thoughts
These Bacon Cheeseburger Stuffed Tater Tot Cones makes me think of that funny, rain-soaked afternoon at the school fair—with laughter, curious kids, and the joy of turning familiar ingredients into something playful.
They’re simple comfort food elevated with a bit of whimsy, great for sharing and even better eaten fingertip to fingertip. I hope they bring smiles and satisfied appetites to your table, just as they did mine.
Bacon Cheeseburger Stuffed Tater Tot Cones
Print ThisIngredients
- 450 g ground beef
- 24 frozen tater tots
- 115 g shredded cheddar cheese
- 4 slices cooked bacon, crumbled
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
Instructions
Step 1: Bake Tater Tots
Preheat oven to 425 °F. Bake tater tots for 20–25 minutes until golden and crispy.
Step 2: Cook Beef
Brown ground beef in a skillet over medium-high heat with salt and pepper, about 7 minutes. Drain excess fat.
Step 3: Assemble Cones
Form cones or mounds with hot tots on a plate. Top with beef, shredded cheddar, and crumbled bacon.
Step 4: Melt Cheese
Bake assembled cones at 425 °F for 5 minutes until cheese is melted and bubbly.
Step 5: Serve
Transfer to a platter and serve hot. Perfect for picking up and enjoying by hand.
