Let me guess—you want something that’s crunchy, cheesy, kinda bad for you (but not too bad), and doesn’t require a culinary degree or three hours of your life. Also, you’re trying to eat more plants. Or maybe you’re just out of beef and feeling creative. Either way, you’ve landed in the right corner of the internet.
Introducing: Vegan Cheeseburger Tater Tots—a glorious mashup of comfort food greatness. Think of it as the love child of a late-night drive-thru craving and your newfound interest in plant-based cooking. They’re crispy, cheesy, beefy (without the beef), and insanely addictive. You’re welcome.
Why This Recipe is Awesome
- It’s basically idiot-proof. If you can open a bag and stir, you can make this.
- No weird ingredients that require Googling or a trip to the one store across town with “nutritional yeast.”
- It makes you feel like a kid again—except this time you can pair it with a nice adult beverage. 🍷 Or LaCroix. Whatever.
- Great for parties, meal prep, or just sitting on the couch watching bad reality TV. (No judgment here.)
- You don’t need to be vegan to love these. Even my cousin Kyle who thinks tofu is a conspiracy loved them.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Here’s what you’re tossing into the flavor tornado:
- 1 bag frozen tater tots (the classic kind—don’t get fancy)
- 1 cup plant-based ground “beef” (Beyond, Impossible, or whatever you like)
- ½ cup vegan shredded cheddar (the melty kind—check the label)
- ¼ cup diced pickles (trust me on this one)
- ¼ cup diced onions (red, white, whatever’s crying in your fridge)
- 2 tbsp ketchup (yes, ketchup goes in)
- 1 tbsp yellow mustard (for that classic cheeseburger zing)
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Optional: Sesame seeds (for garnish if you’re feeling extra)
Step-by-Step Instructions
1. Preheat that oven.
Set it to 425°F (or whatever the tater tot bag tells you). Don’t skip this. Cold tots = sadness.
2. Cook the tots halfway.
Spread them out on a baking sheet and bake for about 15 minutes. This gives them a head start and prevents sogginess. You want crisp, not limp.
3. While those are cooking, prep the “meat.”
In a skillet over medium heat, toss in your plant-based ground beef. Add the ketchup, mustard, onions, and a little salt + pepper. Cook for 5–7 minutes until heated through and everything smells suspiciously like a cheeseburger.
4. Add pickles last.
No one wants soggy pickles. Stir them in just before assembling so they keep their crunch.
5. Pull tots from the oven.
Give them a little poke—crispy? Good. Not yet? Let them bake a few more minutes.
6. Cheeseburger-fy your tots.
Spoon your “meat” mixture evenly over the tots. Sprinkle shredded vegan cheese all over. Don’t be shy.
7. Bake until bubbly and golden.
Pop the whole tray back into the oven for another 10-ish minutes, or until the cheese is melted and everything looks like a delicious mess.
8. Optional but encouraged: Garnish.
Sprinkle with sesame seeds, maybe a few extra diced pickles on top if you’re wild like that.
9. Serve hot.
Eat straight off the tray or, you know, pretend to be civilized and use plates.
Alternatives & Substitutions
Let’s say you’re missing something. No worries—here’s how to wing it:
- No vegan ground beef? Use lentils, black beans, or crumbled tofu with burger-ish seasonings (garlic powder, smoked paprika, etc.). Will it taste exactly the same? No. Will it still be good? Yep.
- No vegan cheese? Skip it or make a quick cashew cheese sauce. Or sprinkle with nutritional yeast if you’re that vegan.
- Want it spicy? Add jalapeños or a squirt of Sriracha to the mix.
- Don’t like pickles? First of all, who hurt you? But okay, skip them or use chopped tomatoes instead.
- Gluten-free? Check your tater tots and meat alternative for sneaky gluten. Most are fine, but always check.
Final Thoughts
So yeah, that’s it. You’ve just made something crispy, cheesy, burger-y, and plant-based, all without breaking a sweat (or the bank). Pretty proud of you, not gonna lie.
These tots are best enjoyed with good company—or good Netflix. Heck, they even make a killer midnight snack when you’re raiding the fridge in pajamas.
Now go impress someone—or yourself—with your new culinary skills. You’ve earned it. And if anyone asks if it’s healthy? Just say it’s emotionally healthy. 💁♀️
Want to double the batch next time? Good call. These disappear fast.