Garlic Parmesan Cheeseburger Bites
Garlic Parmesan Cheeseburger Bites pack juicy beef, melty cheese, and buttery garlic bread flavor into bite-sized bundles perfect for parties, game day, or casual dinners.
Think of these as your favorite cheeseburger, but wrapped in soft biscuit dough and baked until golden and puffed. Every bite has seasoned beef, gooey cheese, and a buttery garlic-Parmesan finish that tastes like a cross between a slider and garlic bread.
They’re the kind of snack that disappears fast, whether you set them out for a movie night, serve them as a fun family dinner, or add them to your game-day spread with plenty of dipping sauces. You can even assemble them ahead so entertaining feels effortless.
Garlic Parmesan Cheeseburger Bites Ingredients
You only need a handful of simple ingredients to turn basic ground beef and biscuit dough into something really special. Here’s what goes into these cheesy little bites and why each piece matters.
- Ground beef (about 1 pound) – The hearty base that brings all the classic cheeseburger flavor.
- Olive oil – Helps the onions and garlic soften and adds a touch of richness to the filling.
- Finely diced onion – Cooks down into the beef mixture and adds sweetness and depth.
- Minced garlic – Builds savory flavor in the filling before showing up again in the buttery topping.
- Worcestershire sauce – Adds that savory, slightly tangy note that makes the beef taste like a true burger.
- Salt and black pepper – Essential seasoning to bring the whole filling to life.
- Shredded cheddar cheese (or similar) – Melts into the warm beef for a creamy, cheesy, stick-together filling.
- Refrigerated biscuit dough (8-count can) – Becomes the soft, golden wrapper that puffs up around the cheeseburger center. Homemade biscuit dough works too.
- Melted unsalted butter – Forms the base of the garlic-Parmesan wash that makes the tops glossy and flavorful.
- Grated Parmesan cheese – Clings to the buttery tops and bakes into a savory, slightly crispy crust.
- Garlic powder – Doubles down on the garlic bread vibe in every bite.
- Dried parsley – Optional, but adds a pretty pop of green and a hint of herbal freshness.
Step-by-Step Garlic Parmesan Cheeseburger Bites
STEP 1: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. This keeps the bottoms from sticking and makes cleanup easy when any cheese bubbles out.
STEP 2: Warm the olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add the finely diced onion and cook until it softens and turns translucent, about 3 minutes, then stir in the minced garlic and cook just until fragrant.
STEP 3: Crumble in the ground beef, seasoning with salt, black pepper, and Worcestershire sauce. Cook, breaking the meat apart, until it’s browned and no pink remains. Drain off any excess grease so the filling stays rich but not greasy.
STEP 4: Take the skillet off the heat and stir in the shredded cheese while the beef is still warm. The cheese should melt and coat the meat, creating a thick, cohesive filling. Let it cool for a few minutes so it’s easier to handle.
STEP 5: Separate the biscuits and flatten each one into a round about 4–5 inches wide. Place roughly 2 tablespoons of the cooled beef mixture in the center of each, then gently pull the dough up and around the filling, pinching the seams to seal. Set them seam-side down on the prepared baking sheet.
STEP 6: In a small bowl, combine the melted butter, grated Parmesan, garlic powder, and parsley. Brush this garlic-Parmesan mixture generously over the tops of the biscuit bombs. Bake for 15–18 minutes, or until deeply golden and puffed. Rest for a few minutes, then serve warm with marinara, ranch, or your favorite dipping sauces.
Can I use homemade biscuit dough?
Yes. Any soft, buttery biscuit dough works beautifully. Roll homemade dough into small circles, fill and seal as directed, and keep the thickness similar so the outside bakes through just as the cheese melts.
Can I swap the ground beef for another meat?
You can. Ground turkey, chicken, or even a plant-based crumble all work. Just cook thoroughly, season generously, and keep the cheese in the mix so the filling still holds together nicely.
Can I assemble these Garlic Parmesan Cheeseburger Bites in advance?
Absolutely. Fill and wrap the bites, then cover and refrigerate for up to 24 hours. Brush with the garlic-Parmesan butter right before baking, adding a minute or two if they’re very cold.
Can I cook cheeseburger bites in the air fryer?
Yes, and they get extra crisp. Arrange them in a single layer in the basket and air fry around 350–360°F until golden and cooked through, checking early so they don’t over-brown.
Helpful Tips
A few small tweaks make these bites even better and help ensure they turn out perfectly every time you bake them.
- Let the beef mixture cool slightly before filling the dough so the biscuits don’t turn soft or start to melt before they hit the oven.
- Don’t overfill; too much beef and cheese can cause leaks. About 2 tablespoons per biscuit usually gives a generous center without bursting.
- Make sure the seams are well sealed and placed face-down on the baking sheet to keep the cheesy filling tucked safely inside while baking.
What to Serve with Garlic Parmesan Cheeseburger Bites
These bites are rich and cheesy, so simple sides balance them out perfectly. Think like you’re building a burger plate, just in miniature.
Serve them with crispy fries, tater tots, or potato wedges and a few different dipping sauces for a fun, pub-style platter. A tangy coleslaw or a crunchy chopped salad adds freshness and cuts through the richness.
For a lighter spread, pair them with raw veggie sticks—carrots, celery, cucumbers, and bell peppers—and a big bowl of ranch or garlic yogurt dip so everything can share the same sauces.
How to Store & Reheat
Once everyone has had their fill, you’ll want to store any leftovers properly so they stay tasty for another round.
Let the cheeseburger bites cool to room temperature, then transfer them to an airtight container. They’ll keep in the refrigerator for about 3–4 days. To prevent sogginess, you can line the container with a paper towel to catch extra moisture.
For reheating, the oven or an air fryer is your best friend. Warm them at 350°F (175°C) until heated through and the outside is crisp again—usually around 8–10 minutes, depending on size. The microwave works in a pinch, but the texture will be softer.
If you’d like to freeze them, arrange cooled bites on a baking sheet, freeze until firm, then move them to a freezer bag. They’re best enjoyed within a couple of months. Reheat from thawed or frozen in the oven or air fryer until hot in the center and sizzling around the edges.
Garlic Parmesan Cheeseburger Bites
Ingredients
- 1/4 cup of butter unsalted and liquefied
- 1 pound approximately 450 grams lean ground beef
- 1 teaspoon dried parsley optional, for garnish
- 1 small yellow onion finely chopped
- 2 tablespoons finely grated Parmesan
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 cup shredded cheese cheddar or a blend such as mozzarella and colby
- 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
- 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 can 16 oz or 450 g refrigerated biscuit dough, yielding 8 large rounds (or homemade equivalent)
- 2 garlic cloves finely minced
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
Instructions
- Warm olive oil in a skillet set over medium heat.
- Sauté the finely chopped onion until it becomes tender and translucent, around 3 minutes.
- Incorporate the minced garlic and continue cooking for an additional 30 seconds.
- Introduce the ground beef to the skillet along with salt, pepper, and Worcestershire sauce. Cook until fully browned and no pink remains, breaking up the meat as it cooks. Drain any residual fat.
- Remove the skillet from the burner and stir in the shredded cheese. Mix until fully melted and incorporated into the beef. Allow the mixture to cool slightly.
- Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C). Prepare a baking tray by lining it with parchment paper.
- Flatten each biscuit dough piece into a disk approximately 4 to 5 inches in diameter.
- Spoon roughly 2 tablespoons of the cooled beef filling onto the center of each flattened dough piece. Fold the dough over the filling and seal the edges by pinching them closed. Arrange the sealed dough balls seam-side down on the baking sheet.
- In a small mixing bowl, combine the melted butter with grated Parmesan, garlic powder, and parsley (if using).
- Generously brush the prepared butter mixture over the tops of the assembled dough bites.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 15 to 18 minutes, or until the tops are golden brown and the dough is puffed.
- Optionally, apply another layer of the garlic butter mixture immediately after baking for added flavor.
- Serve these warm, accompanied by dipping sauces such as ranch, marinara, or your preferred alternative.