These guacamole bacon burger bites are about to be everyone’s new favorite appetizer. Burger meatballs are piled with creamy guacamole, crispy bacon, and a few other lovable burger layers.
Mini Burgers to Munch On
I think everyone agrees that fresh guacamole plus crispy bacon is a match made in heaven. This duo works beautifully in my BLT guacamole, but it’s even better in this super fun burger appetizer.
Sure, full-sized burgers like my turkey burgers or Greek chicken burgers are always a hit, but these bacon guacamole burger bites require a bit less work, and look extra playful on a serving platter. So if you need a fun new appetizer idea, this recipe should be on your radar!
Here’s The Essential Burger Layer Run-Down
These scrumptious bites are made with everything you love about a classic beef burger or turkey burger. That means seasoned ground beef, bacon, guacamole, tomatoes, lettuce, and cheese. Of course, you can always omit anything you might not like. But I highly recommend sticking to this combo for the full burger experience!
- Ground Beef: To replicate a classic burger, ground beef is essential. Although, you can also use ground turkey or ground pork if that’s more your thing!
- Seasoning: All these mini meatballs need are a combination of salt, pepper, and garlic powder to give it enough flavor.
- Bacon: You’ll just need 4 slices for this recipe as you’ll be breaking them into smaller pieces for each bite.
- Guacamole: I’m a sucker for homemade guacamole, but you can always use a store-bought version if you’re short on time.
- Tomatoes: Grape or cherry tomatoes are perfect for these bites.
- Lettuce: You honestly only need 4 butter lettuce leaves, which can seem like a waste buying a whole head of lettuce. But save the rest to make lettuce wraps with my chicken salad or tuna salad!
- Cheese: This is optional, especially if you’re dairy-free. I’m using a sharp cheddar, but you can use any type of cheese you’d like.
Find the printable recipe with measurements below.
How To Make Guacamole Bacon Burger Bites
There’s a few components happening in this recipe. But don’t worry, I’ve made a game plan to make the cooking and assembly process as seamless as possible. First, preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) and pull out your rimmed baking sheet.
- Make the burger balls. Mix together the ground beef, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Then roll them into 12 balls and arrange them on one side of the baking sheet. Side note – slightly flatten them so it makes it easier to pile on the rest of the ingredients without toppling over.
- Cook the bacon and burger balls. Place 4 slices of bacon on the other half of the baking sheet. Then bake both items for 20 to 24 minutes. At 15 minutes, check to see if the bacon is done as it might cook faster than the meatballs. If so, remove the strips to a paper towel while the meatballs finish cooking.
- Assembly time! Top each burger ball with a small slice of cheese immediately after coming out of the oven, so it can melt. Then continue layering with a small piece of lettuce, a â…“ piece of bacon, a dollop of guacamole, and half of a cherry tomato. Thread it all together with a stick and you’re done!
Tips For Prepping Ahead
- Make a batch of guacamole earlier in the day. Since guacamole browns easily, make sure to whip up only a few hours before you make everything else. You can also find “stay green” tips for guac on my guacamole recipe post.
- Pre-slice fresh ingredients. You can prep the lettuce leaves, halved cherry tomatoes, and cheese slices a day before and store them in a container. That way you won’t have to worry about prepping everything the day of.
More Bite Sized Appetizers
No matter the occasion, having a list of appetizers always comes in handy. Especially these ones that I’ve served numerous times, and trust me, they never get old.
- Caprese Skewers
- Jalapeno Poppers
- Bacon and Goat Cheese Stuffed Mini Peppers
- Classic Deviled Eggs
- Baked Zucchini Fries
- Smoked Salmon, Avocado, and Cucumber Bites
These guacamole bacon burger bites are hands down the next best thing to a fully loaded cheeseburger. Once you make them, let me know what you think in a comment below!
Guacamole Bacon Burger Bites
Yield
makes 12 bitesDescription
Ingredients
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- 4 slices bacon
- ½ cup guacamole
- 6 grape or cherry tomatoes, cut in half
- 3 butter lettuce leaves, torn into 4 pieces
- 3 slices cheese, cut into quarters
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C). Optional: for easier cleanup, line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Make the burger balls. In a medium bowl, mix together the ground beef, garlic powder, salt, and pepper, until well combined but without over mixing. Roll them into 12 balls, then place them on half of the baking sheet and slightly flatten them.
- Arrange the bacon and cook. Place 4 slices of bacon on the other half of the baking sheet. Then bake both items for 20 to 24 minutes. Check at 15 minutes to see how the bacon is cooking (as all ovens bake differently). If the bacon is cooking faster, you can remove it to a paper towel to drain and continue cooking the meatballs, until they're cooked through.
- Assemble the bites. Top each meatball with a small slices of cheese immediately after coming out of the oven, so it can melt. Then top with a small piece of lettuce, a â…“ piece of bacon, a dollop of guacamole, and half of a cherry tomato. Pro tip: thread the tomato onto the skewer first and push it up halfway, then stick the skewer through the rest of the ingredients. If you try to skewer everything all at once you'll smush down on the guacamole.
Lisa’s Tips
- Make sure to read my tip in the last step above, so you don’t end up with smushed burger bites. And here’s the cute mini skewers I used.
Nutrition
©Downshiftology. Content and photographs are copyright protected. Sharing of this recipe is both encouraged and appreciated. Copying and/or pasting full recipes to any social media is strictly prohibited.
Rating for 3.5 stars is because this is promoted as a bite size appetizer and it definitely is a 2-3 bite app instead, as well as it is one that is difficult to make ahead or to reheat, and there is some time involved from oven to plate that also cools them down.
BUT- they look adorable and it’s possible to make them look just as adorable as the picture too. I made them exactly as written, even Lisa’s recipe for the guacamole(which is yummy! 5 stars!) I wish I chopped the tomatoes and onions smaller for the guac than I did due to how it’s used in this recipe-the chunks work against you when assembling the burger bites.
I made these burger bites as a practice run, as I am looking for new app recipes for entertaining. I served my first try for dinner for my family (along with Lisa’s greek fries-also 5 stars). My family loved the taste but we definitely needed to either eat the bites with our hands (don’t want to do this at a party with guests) or you need a knife and fork-which negates them as a hand held party appetizer you can pop in your mouth. At this point you are better off serving sliders. I liked this recipe bc it DIDN’T have the buns!
However, presentation is awesome and our family loved the flavor, I wished I cooked the meatballs on the lower reccomended end of suggested time(my fault) as they seemed dry. Wasn’t sure if using the 85% instead of 93% beef would also help- but am going to try again and not overcook!
Also, going to try making either 18 or 24 with the same recipe to get them down to bite size apps. Not sure if they will stay on the skewer, but will find out. The downside it will take longer to assemble and lose time from oven to table. I found that putting a dollop of guac ahead of time on each piece of bacon saves a little bit of mess with assembly. In my opinion, it’s not a lot of guac and buying store bought likely won’t change the flavor much.
I recommend round instead of the oval/oblong grape tomatoes I used, just looks better.
Lisa will probably hate this review, but I am a super huge fan and love almost every one of her recipes! I want more app recipes! keep them coming! I especially love anything that can be made ahead of time and popped in the oven or easily reheated or just can be pulled out of the fridge and serve!
Hi Mary – I don’t hate the review at all! I always love to hear feedback from readers. :) While they might be as “nibbly” as you’d hoped for, I’m glad that you loved the flavor and overall presentation of them. Thanks for sharing your thoughts and tips!