Smoky Ghost Pepper Cheeseburger Bites with Bourbon Kick
These Smoky Ghost Pepper Cheeseburger Bites are fiery, smoky, and packed with flavor. Featuring spiced beef patties, smoky ghost pepper cheese, and a bourbon glaze, they’re perfect for spice lovers and party appetizers that pack a punch.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 12 bites 1x
- Category: Appetizers, Snacks
- Method: Grilled or Pan-Seared
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
- For the Beef Patties:
- 1 pound (450 g) ground beef (80/20 lean-to-fat ratio)
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional, for added heat)
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- For the Toppings:
- 6 slices of smoky ghost pepper cheese, cut into quarters (or substitute with pepper jack for less heat)
- 12 slider buns or mini brioche rolls
- 1/2 cup crispy fried onions
- 12 pickle slices (optional)
- For the Bourbon Glaze:
- 1/4 cup bourbon
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon ketchup
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- 1/2 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
Instructions
- Prepare the Beef Patties:
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the ground beef, smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, cayenne pepper (if using), salt, and black pepper. Mix gently to avoid overworking the meat.
- Shape the mixture into 12 small patties, about 2 inches in diameter.
- Make the Bourbon Glaze:
- In a small saucepan over medium heat, combine the bourbon, brown sugar, ketchup, Dijon mustard, and Worcestershire sauce.
- Simmer for 3-4 minutes, stirring frequently, until slightly thickened. Remove from heat and set aside.
- Cook the Patties:
- Heat a grill or skillet over medium-high heat. Cook the patties for 2-3 minutes on each side, or until cooked to your desired doneness.
- During the last minute of cooking, place a quarter-slice of ghost pepper cheese on each patty to melt.
- Assemble the Bites:
- Toast the slider buns or mini rolls lightly if desired.
- Brush the bottom buns with a bit of the bourbon glaze.
- Place a beef patty on each bun, then top with crispy fried onions and a pickle slice (if using). Drizzle with more bourbon glaze if desired.
- Add the top bun to complete the bite-sized sliders.
- Serve:
- Serve warm with additional bourbon glaze on the side for dipping.
Notes
- For a milder version, replace ghost pepper cheese with cheddar or Swiss.
- Make the patties ahead of time and refrigerate until ready to cook.
- Serve with cooling sides like coleslaw or ranch dressing to balance the heat.