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
- 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.
- 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.
- Bake Again: Pop them back in the oven until the cheese is melty and the tots are golden brown.
- Finish with a Drizzle: Drizzle your tots with ketchup, mustard, or Thousand Island dressing and sprinkle with scallions.
- 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
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
- 1½ 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
- 1½ teaspoons sea salt
- 1½ teaspoons onion powder
- 1½ 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
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!