Bacon Cheeseburger Stuffed Tater Tot Cones with a Colossal Cheese Volcano

Bacon Cheeseburger Stuffed Tater Tot Cones with a Colossal Cheese Volcano sounds like something straight out of a state fair or food challenge show — over-the-top, indulgent, and absolutely mouthwatering. Here’s how you can bring that wild dish to life at home:

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🧨 Bacon Cheeseburger Stuffed Tater Tot Cones with a Colossal Cheese Volcano

🔥 Concept:

• Tater Tot Cone: A cone-shaped crust made entirely of tater tots, crispy on the outside and hollow inside.

• Stuffed with: Bacon cheeseburger filling (ground beef, bacon, cheese, burger sauce).

• Topped with: A dramatic melted cheese “volcano” that flows over the cones like lava.

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📝 Ingredients

🥔 For the Tater Tot Cones:

• 4 cups frozen tater tots (thawed)

• 1 cup shredded cheddar or mozzarella

• Oil spray or butter for crisping

🍔 For the Bacon Cheeseburger Filling:

• 1 lb ground beef

• 6 strips bacon, chopped

• 1 small onion, diced

• 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese

• 2 tbsp ketchup

• 1 tbsp yellow mustard

• Salt and pepper to taste

• Optional: Pickles, jalapeños, or diced tomato

🧀 For the Cheese Volcano:

• 2 cups shredded cheddar or Velveeta

• 1/2 cup heavy cream or milk

• 1 tsp cornstarch (optional, for thickness)

• Pinch of cayenne or paprika for kick

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🔧 Equipment:

• Aluminum foil (for shaping cones)

• Muffin tin or cone molds

• Nonstick sheet tray

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🍳 Step-by-Step Instructions

1. 🛠️ Make Tater Tot Cones

1. Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C).

2. Form cone molds: Wrap foil into cone shapes, about 5–6 inches tall. Lightly grease them.

3. Smash and shape tater tots: Press thawed tater tots flat and mix with shredded cheese. Mold this around the foil cones, pressing tightly to hold shape.

4. Bake cones upright (use muffin tin or carefully stand them on a tray) for 25–30 minutes until golden and crisp.

5. Let cool slightly, then gently remove foil molds.

Shortcut: Use oven-safe ice cream cones as edible molds, and just layer tots around them!

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2. 🥓 Make Bacon Cheeseburger Filling

1. In a skillet, cook chopped bacon until crispy. Set aside.

2. In the same pan, cook onions until soft, then add ground beef.

3. Season with salt, pepper, ketchup, and mustard. Stir in bacon and shredded cheese.

4. Cook until cheese is melted and mixture is saucy but thick.

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3. 🌋 Make the Cheese Volcano

1. In a saucepan, heat cream or milk until simmering.

2. Slowly whisk in shredded cheese (and cornstarch if needed).

3. Stir until smooth, creamy, and lava-like. Keep warm until serving.

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4. 🧱 Build the Beast

1. Stuff tater tot cones full of the hot bacon cheeseburger mixture.

2. Place them standing on a plate or tray.

3. Right before serving, pour molten cheese over the tops so it flows down like a volcano.

4. Garnish with chopped pickles, scallions, or crumbled bacon for extra flair.

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🧠 Pro Tips:

• Make ahead: Tater tot cones can be made and reheated in the oven.

• Spicy version: Add jalapeños or hot sauce to the filling and the cheese.

• Presentation: Serve in a ring around a bowl of cheese dip in the center like a real volcano.