Bacon Cheeseburger Stuffed Tater Tot Cones

Introduction

If you’re looking for a recipe that’s equal parts fun, indulgent, and absolutely delicious, these Bacon Cheeseburger Stuffed Tater Tot Cones are about to become your new obsession. Crispy golden tater tots shaped into cones, stuffed with savory ground beef, smoky bacon, and melted cheddar cheese—it’s the ultimate comfort food mashup. Whether you’re planning a game-day spread, looking for a unique appetizer, or just want a playful weeknight dinner idea, this recipe will hit the spot every time.

My recipe story

The inspiration for these tater tot cones came from a food truck I visited during a summer fair. They were serving fries in cones with toppings piled high, and I thought—why not recreate something similar with tater tots at home? After some trial and error with shaping the cones and finding the right filling, the bacon cheeseburger version quickly became a family favorite. It combines the nostalgic flavors of a classic cheeseburger with the crispy, salty goodness of tater tots. The best part? They’re as fun to eat as they are to make.

Ingredient breakdown

At the heart of this recipe are just a few simple ingredients that work together beautifully. Ground beef provides that classic burger flavor, while shredded cheddar cheese adds gooey richness. Bacon brings its smoky, salty punch, perfectly balancing the other components.

The tater tots are the star—they create the crispy cone shell that holds everything together. Because they’re pre-cooked and frozen, they’re easy to work with and bake into a golden crust. From there, it’s all about layering the flavors inside. A touch of seasoning like garlic powder, onion powder, or paprika can elevate the beef filling, while toppings like lettuce, tomato, or pickles add a fresh crunch when serving.

Equipment you’ll need

• Baking sheet
• Aluminum foil or cone-shaped molds
• Large skillet
• Mixing bowls
• Spatula
• Measuring cups and spoons

Step-by-step directions

1. Prepare the tater tot cones: Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C). Line a baking sheet with foil or parchment. Arrange frozen tater tots around aluminum foil cones (or molds), pressing them gently together to form a cone shape. Bake for 20–25 minutes until golden and crispy. The key is to press the tots tightly so they stick together as they bake.
2. Cook the bacon: While the tots bake, heat a skillet over medium heat. Add bacon strips and cook until crispy, about 7–8 minutes. Remove and place on a paper towel-lined plate. Once cooled, crumble into small pieces to mix into the filling.
3. Brown the beef: In the same skillet, add ground beef and cook over medium-high heat until no longer pink, about 6–8 minutes. Season with salt, pepper, and optional spices like garlic powder or paprika. Drain any excess grease to keep the filling flavorful but not greasy.
4. Add cheese and bacon: Reduce heat to low and stir in shredded cheddar cheese. As it melts, fold in the bacon crumbles. This creates a creamy, cheesy mixture that will be spooned into the cones.
5. Fill the cones: Carefully remove the tater tot cones from the oven and allow them to cool slightly. Gently stuff them with the beef and cheese mixture, pressing it down lightly so the cones are filled to the top.
6. Serve and garnish: Plate the cones upright, and garnish with shredded lettuce, diced tomato, or pickle slices for that classic cheeseburger feel. Serve hot with a drizzle of ketchup, mustard, or your favorite burger sauce.

Variations & substitutions

This recipe is endlessly adaptable. Swap out ground beef for ground turkey or chicken for a lighter version. For a spicy twist, add diced jalapeños or mix hot sauce into the beef mixture. Cheese lovers can experiment with pepper jack, mozzarella, or gouda instead of cheddar. You can also go vegetarian by using plant-based ground meat and skipping the bacon—still delicious and filling.

If you don’t want to shape the tots into cones, try pressing them into muffin tins to create tater tot cups instead. The filling remains the same, but you’ll have bite-sized portions that are perfect for parties.

Storage, freezing & make-ahead

If you have leftovers, store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat in the oven at 350°F (175°C) for 10–12 minutes to restore crispiness. Avoid microwaving, as it makes the tots soggy. To freeze, bake the tater tot cones first, let them cool, and then store them unfilled in a freezer-safe bag. When ready to serve, reheat cones in the oven and stuff them with fresh filling.

For make-ahead prep, cook the beef and bacon mixture in advance and store it separately. Assemble and bake the cones right before serving to keep everything crispy and fresh.

Serving ideas & pairings

These stuffed cones make an excellent party appetizer, game-day snack, or even a fun dinner option. Pair them with a crisp green salad to balance the richness, or serve alongside roasted veggies for a complete meal. They’re also perfect with dipping sauces like spicy mayo, ranch, or smoky barbecue sauce. For drinks, consider pairing with an ice-cold beer, a fizzy soda, or even a milkshake for that diner-style cheeseburger experience.

FAQ

Can I make these without bacon?
Yes! Simply skip the bacon or use vegetarian bacon alternatives. The cones will still be cheesy and flavorful.

What can I use instead of foil molds?
You can form cones using oven-safe parchment or even press the tots into muffin tins for cups instead of cones.

Can I make mini versions?
Absolutely. Use smaller molds or form bite-sized cones for appetizers and party platters.

How do I keep the cones from falling apart?
Make sure to press the tots tightly and bake them until crisp. Cooling slightly before filling also helps them firm up.

What other toppings work well?
Try pickled jalapeños, caramelized onions, guacamole, or even a drizzle of chipotle mayo for variety.

Final thoughts

Bacon Cheeseburger Stuffed Tater Tot Cones are the kind of recipe that takes simple ingredients and transforms them into something unforgettable. They’re crispy, cheesy, and packed with flavor, but most importantly, they’re just plain fun to make and eat. Whether you serve them as an appetizer, a snack, or even a quirky dinner, they’ll bring smiles to everyone around the table. Give them a try—you may just discover a new favorite way to enjoy tater tots and cheeseburgers in one bite-sized package.

Bacon Cheeseburger Stuffed Tater Tot Cones

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• Author: Sarah White
• Total Time: 40 minutes
• Yield: 4 servings 1x
• Diet: Gluten Free

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Description

Crispy tater tot cones stuffed with savory ground beef, smoky bacon, and melted cheddar cheese. A fun twist on classic cheeseburgers!

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 1 lb ground beef

• 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese

• 24 frozen tater tots

• 6 strips bacon, cooked and crumbled

• 1 tsp garlic powder

• 1/2 tsp onion powder

• 1/2 tsp paprika

• Salt and black pepper, to taste

• Optional toppings: shredded lettuce, diced tomato, pickle slices, ketchup, mustard

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Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 425°F (220°C). Shape frozen tater tots around foil cones or molds on a baking sheet, pressing them together. Bake 20–25 minutes until golden and crisp.

2. While cones bake, cook bacon in a skillet until crispy. Remove, crumble, and set aside.

3. In the same skillet, cook ground beef over medium heat until browned, about 6–8 minutes. Drain excess grease and season with garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, salt, and pepper.

4. Stir in shredded cheddar cheese and crumbled bacon until melted and combined.

5. Remove tater tot cones from the oven and cool slightly. Carefully fill each cone with the beef and cheese mixture.

Garnish with toppings like lettuce, tomato, pickles, or sauces before serving.

Notes

Bake cones ahead of time and reheat before filling. Store leftovers in the fridge for up to 3 days and reheat in the oven to keep crisp.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 25 minutes
• Category: Appetizer
• Method: Baking & Stovetop
• Cuisine: American