Description
These Cheeseburger Stuffed Tater Tot Cones with a Colossal Cheese Volcano are a fun, handheld twist on classic cheeseburgers. Crispy tater tot shells are baked into cone shapes, filled with a savory ground beef and onion mixture seasoned with garlic and smoked paprika, then topped with gooey melted cheddar cheese. Perfect for a party appetizer or a creative family meal, these cones combine comforting flavors and impressive presentation in one delicious bite.
Ingredients
Scale
Cheeseburger Filling
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- Salt and pepper to taste
Tater Tot Shell
- 2 cups frozen tater tots
- Cooking spray or oil for greasing
Cheese Volcano and Toppings
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
- 1/2 cup pickles, chopped (optional)
- Ketchup for serving
- Mustard for serving
Instructions
- Prepare the Oven and Molds: Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C). Grease cone-shaped molds with cooking spray or oil, or alternatively, fashion cones from aluminum foil for the tater tot shells.
- Form the Tater Tot Shells: Press frozen tater tots gently onto each cone mold, shaping them to form an even shell that will hold the filling without breaking.
- Bake the Tater Tot Cones: Place the tater tot cones on a baking sheet and bake for 25-30 minutes, turning them halfway through cooking to ensure they become golden brown and crispy all around.
- Cook the Cheeseburger Filling: While the shells bake, heat a skillet over medium heat and add the ground beef and finely chopped onion. Cook until the meat is browned and the onions are soft. Season with garlic powder, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper to taste. Drain any excess fat from the pan.
- Fill the Cones: Remove the baked tater tot shells from the oven and let them cool slightly for handling. Carefully fill each cone with the prepared cheeseburger mixture. Add chopped pickles inside the filling if using.
- Add the Cheese Volcano: Generously top each filled cone with shredded cheddar cheese, creating a mound that resembles a volcano.
- Melt the Cheese: Return the stuffed cones to the oven for an additional 5-7 minutes until the cheese melts thoroughly and is bubbly.
- Serve: Serve the cheeseburger stuffed tater tot cones hot, accompanied by ketchup and mustard for dipping.
Notes
- Use fresh or your favorite brand of frozen tater tots for best results; ensure they are evenly sized for consistent baking.
- For a spicier twist, add a pinch of cayenne pepper or chopped jalapeños to the beef mixture.
- Ensure the cone molds are sturdy; aluminum foil cones should be thick enough to hold their shape while baking.
- To keep the filling warm and the cones crispy, serve immediately after melting the cheese.
- Vegetarian version: Substitute ground beef with plant-based crumbles or seasoned lentils for a tasty alternative.
