If you love bacon cheeseburgers and crispy potato snacks, these Bacon Cheeseburger Stuffed Tater Tot Cones are the ultimate mashup. Crunchy golden tater tots are shaped into edible cones, then packed with juicy seasoned beef, crispy bacon, melted cheese, and your favorite burger toppings. They’re fun, cheesy, crispy, and perfect for parties, game nights, or weekend comfort food cravings.
These stuffed cones combine everything people love about cheeseburgers with the crispy texture of tater tots. Every bite gives you crunchy potatoes, savory beef, smoky bacon, gooey cheese, and fresh toppings all in one handheld snack.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Crispy outside with cheesy filling
- Fun party appetizer or dinner idea
- Easy to customize with toppings
- Kid-friendly and crowd-pleasing
- Great for game days and gatherings
- Loaded with bacon and cheese
- Can be baked or air-fried
- Perfect comfort food recipe
Preparation Time
| Time | Duration |
|---|---|
| Prep Time | 25 minutes |
| Cook Time | 35 minutes |
| Total Time | 1 hour |
| Servings | 8 cones |
Calories
Approximate calories per stuffed cone:
420–480 calories depending on toppings and cheese amount.
Ingredients
For the Tater Tot Cones
- 1 large bag frozen tater tots
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
- 2 tablespoons melted butter
- Cooking spray
For the Cheeseburger Filling
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 tablespoon ketchup
- 1 teaspoon yellow mustard
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
For the Bacon Layer
- 8 strips bacon, cooked crispy and crumbled
Optional Toppings
- Diced pickles
- Chopped lettuce
- Diced tomatoes
- Extra cheese sauce
- Burger sauce
- Ketchup
- Mustard
- Green onions
- Jalapeños
Kitchen Tools Needed
- Muffin tin or cone molds
- Baking sheet
- Parchment paper
- Mixing bowls
- Skillet
- Spatula
- Cheese grater
- Spoon
How To Make Bacon Cheeseburger Stuffed Tater Tot Cones
Step 1: Bake the Tater Tots
Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C).
Spread the frozen tater tots onto a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Bake for about 15 minutes until slightly softened but not fully crispy.
The tots need to be soft enough to shape into cones.
Step 2: Prepare the Cheeseburger Filling
While the tater tots bake, heat a skillet over medium heat.
Add the ground beef and cook until browned.
Drain excess grease if needed.
Mix in:
- Salt
- Pepper
- Garlic powder
- Onion powder
- Ketchup
- Mustard
- Worcestershire sauce
Cook for another 2–3 minutes until flavorful and juicy.
Set aside.
Step 3: Cook the Bacon
Cook bacon until crispy.
Transfer to paper towels and crumble into small pieces.
Reserve some bacon for topping later.
Forming the Tater Tot Cones
Step 4: Shape the Cones
Grease cone molds or the back side of a muffin tin with cooking spray.
Take softened tater tots and press them tightly together around the molds to create cone shapes.
Press firmly so there are no gaps.
Brush lightly with melted butter.
Step 5: Bake Until Crispy
Bake the cones for 15–20 minutes until golden brown and crispy.
Carefully remove from molds and allow them to cool slightly.
Stuffing the Cones
Step 6: Add Cheese
Sprinkle shredded cheddar cheese inside each cone.
The warmth helps the cheese melt beautifully.
Step 7: Fill with Cheeseburger Mixture
Spoon the seasoned ground beef into each cone.
Top with crumbled bacon.
Add more cheese if desired.
Step 8: Final Melt
Place filled cones back into the oven for 3–5 minutes until cheese becomes melted and gooey.
Add Toppings
Top your cones with:
- Pickles
- Lettuce
- Tomatoes
- Jalapeños
- Burger sauce
- Ketchup
- Mustard
Serve immediately while hot and crispy.
Tips for the Best Tater Tot Cones
1. Use Softened Tots
Slightly softened tots mold together much easier.
2. Press Firmly
Compact the tots tightly so the cones don’t fall apart.
3. Don’t Overfill
Too much filling can break the cones.
4. Add Cheese in Layers
Layering cheese inside and on top creates extra gooey texture.
5. Serve Fresh
These are best enjoyed hot and crispy right out of the oven.
Delicious Variations
BBQ Bacon Cheeseburger Cones
Add BBQ sauce and crispy fried onions.
Spicy Jalapeño Version
Mix jalapeños and pepper jack cheese into the filling.
Mushroom Swiss Style
Use sautéed mushrooms and Swiss cheese.
Pizza Tot Cones
Replace burger filling with pepperoni and pizza sauce.
Tex-Mex Version
Add taco seasoning, salsa, and nacho cheese.
What To Serve With Tater Tot Cones
These pair perfectly with:
- Onion rings
- Mozzarella sticks
- Coleslaw
- Mac and cheese
- French fries
- Pickle chips
- Ranch dip
- Milkshakes
- Soda floats
Storage Instructions
Refrigerator
Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
Reheating
Reheat in the oven or air fryer at 375°F for 5–8 minutes to restore crispiness.
Avoid microwaving if possible.
Freezing Instructions
You can freeze unfilled cones for up to 2 months.
Bake directly from frozen and fill fresh before serving.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use hash browns instead of tater tots?
Yes. Shredded hash browns work well but may require extra cheese to hold together.
Can I air fry them?
Absolutely. Air fry at 400°F until crispy and golden.
What cheese works best?
Cheddar melts beautifully, but American, mozzarella, pepper jack, or Swiss also work great.
Can I make them ahead?
You can prepare the cones and filling separately ahead of time, then assemble and reheat before serving.
Final Thoughts
Bacon Cheeseburger Stuffed Tater Tot Cones are crispy, cheesy, savory, and packed with bold burger flavor in every bite. They’re fun to eat, easy to customize, and guaranteed to disappear fast at parties or family dinners.