Bacon Cheeseburger Stuffed Tater Tot Cones 🥓🧀

If you love burgers, bacon, cheese, and tater tots, this recipe is about to become your new obsession. Imagine crunchy, golden tater tot cones stuffed with juicy beef, smoky bacon, and a melty blend of cheddar and mozzarella cheese. Add the classic burger sauces—ketchup, mustard, and mayonnaise—and you’ve got a fun, handheld snack that tastes just like a loaded bacon cheeseburger, but with a crispy potato twist. These Bacon Cheeseburger Stuffed Tater Tot Cones are perfect for game days, parties, or anytime you’re craving comfort food with a creative spin.

Ingredients

• 6 slices beef bacon, cooked and crumbled
• 1 pound ground beef
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon onion powder
• 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
• Salt and black pepper, to taste
• 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
• 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
• ¼ cup ketchup
• ¼ cup yellow mustard
• ¼ cup mayonnaise
• 1 bag frozen tater tots (about 32 ounces)
• Cooking spray or a little oil (for crisping)
• Chopped pickles, lettuce, or tomatoes (optional, for garnish)

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Make the tater tot cones: Preheat oven to 425°F (220°C). Arrange tater tots in overlapping rows on oven-safe cone molds (or make cones using foil wrapped around heatproof cups). Spray lightly with cooking spray. Bake for 20–25 minutes until golden and crispy. Allow to cool slightly before gently removing from the molds.
2. Cook the beef: In a skillet over medium heat, cook the ground beef until browned. Drain excess fat. Season with garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper.
3. Mix in bacon: Stir in the crumbled beef bacon pieces, saving a little for garnish if desired.
4. Add cheeses: Lower heat and mix in half the cheddar and mozzarella until melty and combined with the beef mixture.
5. Prepare sauces: In a small bowl, stir together ketchup, mustard, and mayonnaise to make a creamy burger sauce.
6. Assemble cones: Fill each crispy tater tot cone with the cheesy beef and bacon mixture. Top with extra shredded cheese, then place back in the oven for 3–5 minutes to melt.
7. Serve: Drizzle with the burger sauce and garnish with chopped pickles, lettuce, or tomatoes if desired. Enjoy immediately while warm and gooey!

Tips for Perfect Tater Tot Cones

• Homemade molds: If you don’t have cone molds, simply wrap heavy-duty foil around the outside of a glass or cup, remove, and bake the tater tots on that cone shape.
• Crisp is key: Make sure the tater tots are golden before filling—the crispier they are, the sturdier the cone will be.
• Cheese layering: Add some cheese directly inside the cone before stuffing to create a gooey “cheese lining.”
• Make ahead: You can bake the tater tot cones in advance and store them in the fridge. Reheat in the oven for a few minutes before filling.

Fun Variations

• BBQ Bacon Cones: Swap the burger sauce for smoky barbecue sauce and top with jalapeños.
• Tex-Mex Cones: Add taco seasoning to the beef, top with salsa, sour cream, and guacamole.
• Breakfast Cones: Replace beef with scrambled eggs and sausage, then top with cheddar and hot sauce.
• Veggie Cones: Use sautéed mushrooms, peppers, and onions instead of beef for a vegetarian version.

Serving Ideas

These cones are designed for fun, casual eating. Serve them in cups or cone holders to make them easy to grab and eat at parties. They pair perfectly with french fries, onion rings, or a side salad if you want to balance out the richness. For a festive touch, drizzle extra sauce in a zig-zag pattern and sprinkle chopped bacon or green onions on top.

Storage & Reheating

Tater tot cones are best enjoyed fresh, since they lose crispness as they sit. However, you can store leftovers in the fridge for up to 2 days. Reheat in the oven at 375°F (190°C) for 10 minutes to re-crisp the tots and melt the cheese again. Avoid microwaving, as it will make the cones soggy.

Conclusion

Bacon Cheeseburger Stuffed Tater Tot Cones are the ultimate party food. Crispy, cheesy, meaty, and full of bold flavor, they transform classic burger ingredients into a handheld potato cone that’s as fun to look at as it is to eat. Perfect for game day, gatherings, or anytime you want to wow your family and friends, this recipe is sure to become a favorite. One bite and you’ll understand why these cones are so hard to resist—burger goodness has never been this crispy and fun!