Bacon Cheeseburger Tater Tot Cones
These bacon cheeseburger tater tot cones are the ultimate game day appetizer that everyone will be fighting over. Crispy tater tots shaped into edible cones and stuffed with juicy seasoned beef, melted cheese, and crispy bacon—it’s like eating a cheeseburger in the most fun way possible.
Perfect for parties, tailgates, or weeknight dinners when you want something different. Kids and adults alike go crazy for these handheld bites that combine all the best comfort foods into one crispy, cheesy package.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
This recipe takes minimal ingredients and turns them into something that looks restaurant-worthy. The tater tots bake into sturdy cones that hold all the toppings without getting soggy, making them perfect for serving at parties.
They’re completely customizable too. Load them up with your favorite burger toppings like pickles, onions, or special sauce. Plus, they’re made with freezer staples, so you can whip these up anytime a craving hits.
The best part? They’re easier to make than they look. No special equipment needed—just a muffin tin and some parchment paper to shape the cones.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The beauty of these bacon cheeseburger tater tot cones is that you probably have most ingredients already. Frozen tater tots form the base, while ground beef, cheese, and bacon create that classic cheeseburger flavor everyone loves.
For the Tater Tot Cones:
For the Filling:
How to Make the Tater Tot Cones
Start by preheating your oven and preparing your muffin tin. You’ll create cone shapes by wrapping parchment paper around the outside of the muffin cups, then arranging tater tots around them to form the cone shape.
The key is pressing the tater tots together while they’re still frozen so they fuse during baking. Spray them generously with cooking spray and bake until golden and crispy. The tots will stick together and hold their shape perfectly.
Once the cones are crispy, carefully remove the parchment paper. They’ll be sturdy enough to stand on their own and ready to fill with all your cheeseburger goodness.
Read More: Ultimate Cheesy Potato Casserole Recipe
Bacon Cheeseburger Tater Tot Cones
Course: LunchCuisine: AmericanDifficulty: Easy12
15
minutes35
50
minutesCrispy tater tot cones filled with seasoned ground beef, melted cheddar cheese.
Ingredients
- For the Tater Tot Cones:
32 oz frozen tater tots
Cooking spray
Salt and pepper to taste
For the Filling:
1 lb ground beef (80/20)
8 slices bacon, cooked and crumbled
2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
1 tsp garlic powder
1 tsp onion powder
½ tsp salt
½ tsp black pepper
- Optional Toppings:
Diced pickles
Diced tomatoes
Shredded lettuce
Ketchup and mustard for drizzling
Directions
- Prepare the muffin tin: Preheat oven to 425°F. Cut 12 squares of parchment paper (about 4×4 inches). Flip a 12-cup muffin tin upside down and wrap each parchment square around the bottom of each cup to create cone molds.
- Form the cones: Arrange tater tots around each parchment-covered muffin cup bottom, pressing them together to form cone shapes. Use about 10-12 tots per cone. Press firmly so they stick together.
- Bake the cones: Spray tater tots generously with cooking spray. Season with salt and pepper. Bake for 25-30 minutes until golden brown and crispy. Let cool for 5 minutes, then carefully remove parchment paper.
- Cook the beef filling: While cones bake, brown ground beef in a large skillet over medium-high heat, breaking it apart as it cooks (about 7-8 minutes). Drain excess grease.
- Season and combine: Add garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper to the beef. Stir in crumbled bacon. Keep warm.
- Assemble: Place tater tot cones upright on a serving platter. Fill each cone with beef and bacon mixture. Top with shredded cheddar cheese while filling is hot so cheese melts.
- Add toppings and serve: Add desired toppings like pickles, tomatoes, and lettuce. Drizzle with ketchup and mustard. Serve immediately while hot.
Notes
- Make-ahead tip: Bake the tater tot cones up to 1 day in advance. Store in an airtight container and reheat in the oven before filling.
Keep them crispy: Don’t fill the cones until right before serving to prevent sogginess.
Cone shape tips: Press the tater tots together firmly while shaping. They’ll fuse together as they bake.
Ground turkey swap: Use lean ground turkey instead of beef for a lighter option. Add a tablespoon of Worcestershire sauce for extra flavor.
Cheese options: Try pepper jack for spice, American for classic burger flavor, or a Mexican blend.
Serving idea: Set up a tater tot cone bar and let guests build their own with various toppings.
| Nutrient | Per Serving |
|---|---|
| Calories | 310 |
| Total Fat | 18g |
| Sugars | N/A |
| Protein | 15g |
| Dietary Fiber | 2g |
Making the Bacon Cheeseburger Filling
While your tater tot cones bake, brown the ground beef in a skillet over medium-high heat. Season it generously with salt, pepper, garlic powder, and onion powder for that classic burger taste.
Drain any excess grease, then stir in the crumbled bacon. The bacon adds smoky flavor and extra crunch that complements the crispy tots perfectly.
Keep the beef mixture warm until your cones are ready. This ensures the cheese melts beautifully when you fill them.
Assembly and Serving Tips
Fill each tater tot cone with a generous spoonful of the beef and bacon mixture while it’s still hot. Top immediately with shredded cheddar cheese so it melts from the heat of the meat.
Add your favorite burger toppings next. Diced pickles add tang, tomatoes bring freshness, and shredded lettuce gives crunch. Drizzle with ketchup and mustard, or serve dipping sauces on the side.
Serve these immediately while the cones are crispy and the cheese is melty. They’re best enjoyed hot and fresh from the oven.
Storage and Reheating
Store leftover tater tot cones and filling separately to keep the cones crispy. The baked cones can be kept in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days.
Reheat empty cones in a 375°F oven for 5-7 minutes to restore crispiness. Warm the filling in the microwave, then reassemble just before serving.
You can also freeze unbaked tater tot cones. Arrange them on a baking sheet, freeze until solid, then transfer to a freezer bag. Bake from frozen, adding 5-10 extra minutes.
Recipe Variations to Try
Pizza Cones: Swap the beef for Italian sausage, use mozzarella cheese, and add pepperoni and pizza sauce.
Breakfast Cones: Fill with scrambled eggs, breakfast sausage, and cheese. Top with salsa or hot sauce.
BBQ Chicken Cones: Use shredded rotisserie chicken mixed with BBQ sauce, cheddar cheese, and red onions.
Vegetarian Option: Skip the meat and fill with black beans, corn, peppers, and Mexican cheese blend.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I make these ahead of time for a party?
Yes! Bake the tater tot cones up to 24 hours in advance and store them in an airtight container at room temperature. Prepare the beef filling and store it separately in the fridge. When ready to serve, reheat the cones in a 375°F oven for 5-7 minutes, warm the filling, then assemble. This keeps the cones crispy and the filling fresh.
Why are my tater tot cones falling apart?
The most common issue is not pressing the tater tots together firmly enough when shaping them. Make sure to really press them together while they’re still frozen—they’ll fuse as they bake. Also, ensure you’re using enough cooking spray and baking them long enough until they’re golden and crispy. Underbaked cones will be fragile.
Can I use an air fryer instead of the oven?
Absolutely! The cone-shaping method is trickier in an air fryer, but you can make flat tater tot u0022cupsu0022 instead. Press tater tots into silicone muffin cups and air fry at 400°F for 12-15 minutes until crispy. They won’t be cone-shaped, but they’ll still hold the filling perfectly and taste amazing.
