Tater tots are a staple for super bowl appetizers, boozy brunches, and light dinners. You can't go wrong with their warm, crunchy exteriors with soft, pillowy centers. Up the ante, by using your wild game meat and turning them into mini burger bites with ground venison. The salty potatoes with dill pickles balance out the rich, earthy flavor of the lean, venison meat. While we may be a bit biased, it's going to be hard to limit yourself when it comes to these little burger bites. You may have to make a batch for you and a separate batch for your game day guests-or keep them all for yourselves!
Tater Tot Venison Burger Bites
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 32 frozen tater tots
- 1/2 pound ground venison
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon paprika
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 16 Hamburger dill pickle chips
- 4 slices cheddar cheese
- Ketchup
- Mustard
- 16 Toothpicks
Recipe Directions
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Preheat the oven to 450 degrees F.
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Place tater tots onto a 10 x 15-inch baking pan and toss with oil. Spread into a single layer.
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Bake the tater tots in the oven, until browned and crisp, 15-18 minutes. (The tater tots must be crisp!)
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While the tater tots are cooking, place ground venison onto a sheet on parchment paper. Press down into a 4x6 inch rectangle. Sprinkle with seasonings and cut into 16 equal rectangles, approximately 1 x 1 ½ inches.
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Cook the little burgers in a skillet or frying pan, flipping occasionally until browned on both sides and cooked to your desired doneness, about 3-5 minutes.
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Cut each cheese slice into four quarters. Fold each quarter over to make 16 pieces of double layered cheese. Place on top of the burgers during the last 30 seconds of cooking.
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Assemble the mini cheeseburgers, by topping one tater tot with venison, ketchup or mustard to taste, pickle, and another tater tot. Secure with toothpicks and enjoy immediately.
READ MORE: Game Day Recipe: Venison Sausage Pizza Ring
