Doritos Stuffed Burgers with Pepper Jack Cheese

Pepper Jack Stuffed Doritos Burgers — Start your week with a bold, crunchy burger. Crushed nacho cheese Doritos mix into the meat for a salty, crisp exterior, and a center of molten pepper jack cheese gives each bite a hot, gooey payoff.

I first heard about a Doritos burger on the radio and knew I had to try it. The combination is simple and satisfying: chips, ground beef, and an egg to bind. Crush the chips in a food processor or inside a zip-top bag with a rolling pin—either method works fine.

This recipe yields five stuffed patties when you portion the meat by 1/4 cup scoops. Each finished burger uses roughly 1/2 cup total of the meat mixture, so you’ll be forming and assembling ten small portions before sealing them into five stuffed patties.

To assemble, flatten each 1/4 cup portion into a patty about 1/2″ thick. Make a shallow indentation in the center of five patties—an ice cream scoop works great for this—and place about 2 tablespoons of shredded pepper jack in each indentation.

Top each cheese-filled patty with one of the remaining patties to form a sandwich of meat and cheese. Crimp and seal the edges well so the cheese stays inside as the burgers cook. Gently reshape and smooth each patty, then press lightly so the burgers are an easy size to bite without dislocating your jaw.

Cook the patties on a griddle or grill over medium-high heat. They take about 6 minutes per side to reach well-done; reduce the time if you prefer a rarer center. Because they’re stuffed with cheese, these burgers stay juicy even when cooked through.

Why These Burgers Work

The standout element is the crunchy Doritos crust. The chips add corn-forward flavor and a satisfying saltiness that complements the beef and pepper jack. The melted cheese center delivers a contrast of hot, creamy texture against the crisp exterior—best enjoyed immediately so you get that perfect molten cheese pull.

Other Sandwich Recipes You Might Like

• Italian Beef with Pepperoncini
• Garlic Bread Grilled Cheese
• Pork Tenderloin Sandwich
• Easy Pulled BBQ Chicken Sandwiches
• Banh Mi–Style Pulled Pork Sandwiches
• Slow Cooker BBQ Beef Sandwiches
• Easy French Dip
• Onion Soup Mix Burger
• Pork Burger
• Greek-Style Turkey Burgers
• Sloppy Joe Sauce

Recipe

Ingredients

• 3/4 cup finely crushed Nacho Cheese Doritos (about 2 cups whole chips)
• 1 1/3 pounds ground beef (85% lean or less)
• 1 egg
• 3/4 cup pepper jack cheese, shredded
• Salt and pepper, to taste
• Buns and your favorite burger toppings

Instructions

1. Combine the crushed chips, ground beef, and egg in a bowl. Mix gently until just combined—avoid overworking the meat.
2. Divide the mixture into ten 1/4-cup portions. Flatten each portion into a patty about 1/2″ thick.
3. Use the back of an ice cream scoop or your thumb to make a shallow indentation in the center of five patties. Fill each indentation with about 2 tablespoons of shredded pepper jack.
4. Top each cheese-filled patty with a plain patty and crimp the edges to seal. Smooth and slightly flatten the sealed patties so they cook evenly. Season both sides with salt and pepper.
5. Cook the burgers over medium-high heat on a griddle or grill for about 6 minutes per side for well-done. Reduce the time for a less-cooked center. Remove when the internal temperature reaches your desired doneness and the cheese is melted inside.
6. Serve on toasted buns with your preferred toppings. Take the first bite while the cheese is hot and melty for the best experience.

Nutrition Facts (per patty)

Tip: Seal the edges well to keep the pepper jack from leaking while cooking. If you like extra crunch, press a thin layer of crushed Doritos on the outside of the formed patties before cooking. Enjoy these burgers fresh and hot for the best flavor and texture.

Tag @heatherlikesfood on Instagram and use #heatherlikesfood if you make this—it’s always fun to see your takes on recipes.