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Loaded Bacon Cheeseburger Bites - A Fun, Crowd-Pleasing Snack

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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 35 minutes
Servings: 12 servings
Ingredients Method

Ingredients
  

  • 1 pound (450 g) ground beef, 80/20 for best juiciness
  • 6 slices thick-cut bacon, cooked crisp and finely chopped
  • 1 cup shredded cheddar or Colby Jack cheese
  • 1/3 cup finely diced onion
  • 2 tablespoons dill pickle relish (or finely chopped dill pickles)
  • 1 large egg
  • 1/3 cup plain breadcrumbs (panko or regular)
  • 1 tablespoon yellow mustard
  • 2 tablespoons ketchup
  • 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon smoked paprika (optional, for a subtle smoky note)
  • 2 tablespoons mayonnaise (for brushing, optional)
  • Neutral oil spray for the pan

Method
 

  1. Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment or foil and lightly spray with oil. This helps the bites crisp and release easily.
  2. Cook the bacon until crisp. Drain on paper towels and chop it finely. Set aside. You want small pieces so they mix evenly and don’t cause the bites to fall apart.
  3. In a large bowl, combine the ground beef, chopped bacon, shredded cheese, diced onion, relish, egg, and breadcrumbs.
  4. Add the mustard, ketchup, Worcestershire sauce, salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, and smoked paprika. Mix gently with your hands or a fork. Don’t overwork it—just until everything is evenly combined.
  5. Use a tablespoon or small scoop to portion the mixture into bite-sized balls, about 1 to 1.5 inches in diameter. You should get roughly 24 bites.
  6. Arrange the bites on the prepared baking sheet with a little space between each. If you like extra browning, lightly brush or dab the tops with a thin layer of mayonnaise.
  7. Bake for 12–15 minutes, or until the centers reach 160°F (71°C) and the edges are nicely browned. If you want more color, broil for 1–2 minutes at the end.
  8. Let them rest for 3–4 minutes. This helps the juices settle and the cheese set slightly.
  9. Serve warm with your favorite toppings and dips. Good options include a quick “special sauce” (equal parts mayo and ketchup with a splash of pickle juice), mustard, BBQ sauce, or ranch.