Dessert

Cheeseburger Cups Recipe

ByElena Hart September 20, 2026September 20, 2026

Introduction

Cheeseburger Cups are a fun and easy twist on a classic favorite. These bite-sized treats combine all the flavors of a cheeseburger in a convenient muffin tin format, perfect for parties or a quick snack.

The image shows four small cheeseburger bites in a silver muffin tray on a white marbled surface. Each bite has three main layers: a toasted golden-brown mini bun base, a layer of cooked ground beef with some diced onions, and melted yellow cheese on top. Drizzled over the cheese are zigzags of red ketchup and bright yellow mustard. Each bite is topped with a large green pickle slice sprinkled with white sesame seeds. One bite is held by a woman's hand with pale yellow nail polish, showing the mini burger's soft and slightly crispy texture. Some sesame seeds and bits of beef are scattered around the tray. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients

Cooking spray
6 burger buns, split

1 tbsp. vegetable oil
1 medium onion, chopped

1 lb. ground beef
1/2 tsp. garlic powder

Kosher salt
Freshly ground black pepper
3 slices cheddar, quartered

Ketchup, for serving
Yellow mustard, for serving
12 pickle chips

Sesame seeds, for garnish

Instructions

Step 1: Preheat the oven to 350°F and grease a muffin tin with cooking spray. Flatten the burger bun halves to about 1/4 inch thick using a rolling pin. Place one bun half, cut-side up, into each prepared muffin cup.
Step 2: Heat vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chopped onion and cook, stirring occasionally, until soft, about 5 minutes.

Step 3: Add ground beef to the skillet and cook, breaking it up with a wooden spoon, until no longer pink, about 6 minutes. Drain any excess fat.
Step 4: Return the beef mixture to the skillet. Season with garlic powder, kosher salt, and freshly ground black pepper to taste. Mix well and divide the mixture evenly among the bun cups in the muffin tin.
Step 5: Top each cup with a quarter slice of cheddar cheese. Bake in the preheated oven until the cheese melts and buns turn golden, about 10 minutes.

Step 6: Remove the cups from the oven. Drizzle with ketchup and mustard, place a pickle chip on top of each, and sprinkle with sesame seeds before serving.

Tips & Variations

For an extra layer of flavor, try adding a dash of Worcestershire sauce to the beef mixture before baking.
Use different cheese types like Swiss or pepper jack for variation.

Serve with a side of crispy fries or a fresh salad to make a complete meal.

Storage

Store leftover cheeseburger cups in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat in the oven at 350°F for 5-7 minutes or until warmed through to keep the buns crisp. Avoid microwaving to prevent sogginess.