Cheesy Burger Tater Tots

What’s better than classic tater tots? Cheesy Burger Tater Tots—the ultimate comfort food mashup! If you’re looking to make a quick and delicious dish that combines the crispy crunch of tater tots with all the flavors of a cheeseburger, this is it.

Whether for an appetizer, game-day snack, or fun family dinner, this dish is bound to be a hit with everyone.

Why You’ll Love Cheesy Burger Tater Tots

  • Quick & Easy: With just a few simple steps, you have a crowd-pleasing dish ready in 30 minutes.
  • Comfort Food Redefined: The combination of crispy tots, melty cheese, and savory toppings is the perfect balance of flavor and texture.
  • Customizable: You can add or swap ingredients to make your own version—think jalapeños for spice or avocado for creaminess.
  • Perfect for Sharing: Great for family dinners, potlucks, or parties.

What You Need to Make Cheesy Burger Tater Tots

  • Frozen Tater Tots: These are the base of the dish and add the crispy texture we all love.
  • Vegan Ground Beef or Sausage: For that meaty cheeseburger flavor, use your favorite plant-based protein.
  • Vegan Cheddar Shreds or Punk Cheddah Sauce: You can top your tots with store-bought vegan cheese shreds or whip up the Punk Cheddah Sauce (recipe included).
  • Classic Burger Toppings: White onion, tomatoes, sweet pickle relish, mustard, ketchup, and scallions for that full burger experience.
  • Quick Thousand Island Dressing: An optional drizzle that’s perfect for those who love a hint of tangy sweetness.

How to Make Cheesy Burger Tater Tots

  1. Prep the Tots: Preheat your oven and line a sheet pan with parchment paper. Spread the tater tots evenly and bake until they start to crisp.
  2. Load on the Toppings: Flip the tots to ensure even crispiness, then top them with vegan ground beef, chopped onions, tomatoes, relish, and your choice of vegan cheese.
  3. Bake Again: Pop them back in the oven until the cheese is melty and the tots are golden brown.
  4. Finish with a Drizzle: Drizzle your tots with ketchup, mustard, or Thousand Island dressing and sprinkle with scallions.
  5. Serve & Enjoy: Dive into these cheesy, savory, and satisfying tots that are bursting with burger flavor.

Tips for the Perfect Tater Tots

  • Crunch Factor: To keep your tots crispy, arrange them close together when adding the toppings. This prevents the toppings from falling through and softening the tots.
  • Make It Your Own: Customize with your favorite toppings like jalapeños, avocado, or even a drizzle of barbecue sauce for a smoky twist.
  • Serve Fresh: These are best enjoyed right out of the oven while the cheese is melty and the tots are crispy.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I make this gluten-free?

Yes! Just make sure to use gluten-free vegan ground beef or sausage and check your tater tots for any gluten-containing ingredients.

Can I make this dish in an air fryer?

Definitely! Cook your tots in the air fryer at 400°F for about 10-15 minutes, then add the toppings and cook for another 5 minutes until the cheese melts.

What other sauces can I use instead of Thousand Island?

Feel free to try vegan ranch, sriracha mayo, or any of your favorite sauces to add a different flavor profile.

Cheesy Burger Tater Tots

What’s better than classic tater tots? Cheesy Burger Tater Tots—the ultimate comfort food mashup! If you’re looking to make a quick and delicious dish that combines the crispy crunch of tater tots with all the flavors of a cheeseburger, this is it.

Ingredients
  

Cheesy Burger Tater Tots

  • 4 cups half of a 32-ounce [905-g] bag frozen tater tots
  • ½ teaspoon Old Bay Seasoning optional
  • 1 cup 110 g frozen vegan ground beef or crumbled vegan sausage
  • ½ cup 80 g roughly chopped white onion
  • ½ cup 90 g diced tomato
  • ¼ cup 60 g sweet pickle relish
  • ¾ cup 88 g vegan cheddar shreds or Punk Cheddah Sauce (see below)
  • Mustard for drizzling
  • Ketchup for drizzling
  • Quick Thousand Island dressing optional; see tip below
  • 2 scallions chopped (optional)

Punk Cheddah Sauce Recipe

  • cups 218 g pumpkin puree
  • ½ cup 68 g raw cashews, soaked overnight or boiled for 10 minutes, drained, and rinsed
  • ¼ cup 20 g nutritional yeast
  • 2 tablespoons 32 g white miso
  • 3 cups 705 ml water
  • 1 tablespoon 15 g Dijon mustard
  • 1 tablespoon 15 ml soy sauce or gluten-free tamari
  • 1 tablespoon 20 g maple syrup
  • Juice of ½ lemon
  • teaspoons sea salt
  • teaspoons onion powder
  • teaspoons garlic powder

Instructions
 

Cheesy Burger Tater Tots

  • Preheat the oven to 425°F (220°C or gas mark 7). Line a sheet pan with parchment paper.
  • Spread the tater tots out on the prepared sheet pan and sprinkle with Old Bay Seasoning (if using). Bake for 20 minutes.
  • Remove from the oven and flip the tater tots with a spatula. Position them close together to minimize the toppings falling through.
  • Top with the vegan ground beef, onion, tomatoes, relish, and cheese.
  • Bake for another 10 to 12 minutes, until the cheese melts and the tater tots turn golden brown.
  • Drizzle with mustard, ketchup, or dressing, and sprinkle with chopped scallions (if using).
  • Yield: 8 servings

Punk Cheddah Sauce Recipe

  • Add all ingredients to a blender and blend for 1 to 2 minutes until smooth and creamy.

Notes

Tip: To make a quick Thousand Island dressing, combine ½ cup (115 g) vegan mayonnaise, 2 tablespoons (30 g) sweet pickle relish, 1 tablespoon (15 g) yellow mustard, and 1 tablespoon (15 g) ketchup in a bowl. Drizzle over the tater tots or use on burgers. Keep in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks.
Tried this recipe?Mention @keeponcookinpod or tag #keeponcookinpod!

Cheesy Burger Tater Tots are a surefire way to please a crowd. With their combination of classic burger flavors and the irresistible crunch of tater tots, they’re sure to be a hit at any table. Plus, with easy customization options, you can make this recipe your own. Get ready to dig into this plant-based twist on a comfort food classic!

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating