Best Garlic Parmesan Cheeseburger Bombs

If you’re anything like me, you know that finger foods are the real MVPs of any gathering. Whether it’s game day, a birthday party, or a casual Friday night hangout, there’s just something extra fun about picking up a bite-sized snack that’s oozing with flavor. That’s exactly why I’m so excited to share these Garlic Parmesan Cheeseburger Bombs with you. They’re soft, golden pockets of cheesy, meaty goodness—all wrapped in a fluffy biscuit dough and finished off with a buttery garlic-Parmesan topping. Need I say more?

I actually stumbled across this recipe when trying to clean out my fridge before a weekend trip. I had some ground beef, leftover shredded cheese, and a tube of refrigerated biscuit dough staring me down. With a little experimentation and a lot of cheese, these magical little cheeseburger bombs were born. And trust me, my family devoured them before they even hit the plate.

These bites are rich and savory, packed with all the classic cheeseburger flavors, but made even more irresistible with that golden, garlicky topping. The best part? They’re super customizable, easy to make, and bake up in under 20 minutes. Perfect for those of us who like our food fast, easy, and seriously delicious.

Let’s jump into the recipe, because once you taste these, you’re going to want them in your weekly rotation.

this recipe

Ingredients You’ll Need

Let’s break this down by parts so you can prep everything ahead of time.

For the Burger Filling:

• 1 pound ground beef

• Salt, freshly ground black pepper, garlic powder, and onion powder (to taste)

• 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce

• 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese or mozzarella

• Optional: crispy bacon pieces, chopped pickles, or caramelized onions for extra flavor

For the Dough Wrapping:

• 1 tube refrigerated biscuit or pizza dough

• Divide into 8–12 pieces, flatten each into a 4-inch circle

For the Garlic Parmesan Topping:

• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted

• 1 teaspoon minced garlic (or garlic powder)

• 2 tablespoons freshly grated Parmesan cheese

• Chopped fresh parsley (optional, but adds a nice touch)

STEP 1: Prepare the Burger Filling

In a large skillet over medium heat, cook your ground beef until it’s fully browned and no longer pink. You’ll want to drain off any excess grease to avoid soggy dough later on. Once drained, season the beef generously with salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, and Worcestershire sauce. Give it all a good stir, then let it cool completely. This part’s important—if the mixture’s too hot, it’ll start melting the dough before it even hits the oven.

Once cooled, fold in your shredded cheese. I usually go for cheddar because it gives that classic cheeseburger taste, but mozzarella works great too for a gooey, stretchy bite. If you’re feeling extra, throw in some crispy bacon bits, diced pickles, or caramelized onions. The more, the better.

STEP 2: Wrap and Seal the Bombs

Now it’s time to get a little hands-on. Take your refrigerated dough and divide it into 8–12 equal portions. Flatten each piece into a 4-inch round—this will give you enough room to stuff and seal them without everything bursting out in the oven.

Spoon 1–2 tablespoons of the cooled burger filling into the center of each dough round. Carefully pinch the edges together to seal, making sure there are no gaps. Then gently roll them between your palms to form a smooth, sealed ball. Place each ball seam-side down on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Make sure to leave a bit of space between them so they have room to puff up while baking.

STEP 3: Brush on the Garlic Parmesan Magic

In a small bowl, mix the melted butter with minced garlic. Now, generously brush that buttery goodness all over the tops of your dough balls. Don’t hold back—it’s what gives these bombs their rich flavor and golden, toasty finish. After brushing, sprinkle the tops with freshly grated Parmesan cheese. The cheese will melt and brown up beautifully in the oven, creating that irresistible crust on top.

Now that you’ve got your cheeseburger bombs assembled and brushed with all that garlicky, buttery goodness, it’s time to get them baking. This is where the magic happens—when that dough puffs up, the cheese melts, and the tops turn perfectly golden and crisp. The smell alone is enough to get everyone hovering around the kitchen, trust me.

I like to think of this part as the “hands-off” reward after the fun of assembling them. Plus, while they’re baking, you can whip up a quick dipping sauce or set the table if you’re serving them as a casual dinner. These also make a fantastic appetizer tray for guests—you’ll probably want to double the batch if you’re feeding a crowd!

Let’s get into the final steps to bring it all together.

STEP 4: Bake Until Golden and Gooey

Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Once it’s fully preheated, pop your baking sheet into the oven and bake the cheeseburger bombs for 15 to 18 minutes. You’re looking for that perfect golden-brown color on top, and the dough should be fully cooked through—not doughy in the center.

Pro Tip: Keep an eye on them around the 14-minute mark. Every oven is a little different, and you don’t want to overbake them. If the tops look like they’re browning too fast, you can loosely tent them with a piece of foil for the last few minutes.

The cheese inside should be melted and gooey, and the outside should be crisp and golden. If you press gently on the top, it should feel firm but slightly soft in the center from the melted cheese and filling.

STEP 5: Add the Finishing Touches

Once your cheeseburger bombs are out of the oven, don’t skip the final buttery brush. If you have any garlic butter left over from earlier, give the tops another pass while they’re still warm. This gives them a glossy finish and bumps up the garlic flavor even more.

Then, sprinkle on a little fresh chopped parsley if you have it. It adds just a bit of color and freshness to balance out the rich, savory flavors. Totally optional, but highly recommended.

Serving Suggestions and Dipping Sauce Ideas

These are best served warm, straight out of the oven, when the cheese is still melted and the dough is tender on the inside and crispy on the outside. They make an incredible appetizer, game day snack, or even a fun twist on burger night.

And don’t forget the dipping sauces—these little bombs love to be dunked. Here are a few of my favorite pairings:

• Ranch dressing – classic and crowd-pleasing

• Spicy mayo – mix mayo with a little sriracha or hot sauce

• Garlic aioli – perfect for doubling down on that garlicky goodness

• Honey mustard – adds a tangy-sweet kick

• BBQ sauce – great for that smoky flavor contrast

You could even set out a little sauce bar if you’re serving these at a party. It’s a fun way to let everyone customize their bites.

Tasty Variations to Try

The base recipe is fantastic as is, but you can easily get creative depending on what you have on hand or what flavors you love. Here are a few ideas to switch things up:

• Add jalapeños to the filling for a spicy kick

• Swap in ground turkey or chicken for a lighter version

• Use pepper jack or Swiss cheese for a new flavor twist

• Mix in caramelized onions for extra richness

• Use crescent roll dough instead of biscuit dough for a flakier finish

You can also go mini or jumbo—just adjust the dough size and filling amounts accordingly. The minis are great for appetizer trays, while jumbo versions make a fun main dish alongside a salad or veggie tray.