Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- **Making the Dough:**
- 1. **Activate the Yeast:** In a large bowl, dissolve the yeast, sugar, and salt in the warm water. Let it stand for 5-10 minutes until foamy.
- 2. **Add the Oil and Flour:** Add the olive oil to the yeast mixture. Gradually add the flour, one cup at a time, mixing well after each addition. You may not need all the flour, so add it until the dough comes together and forms a ball.
- 3. **Knead the Dough:** Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface and knead for 5-7 minutes, until it becomes smooth and elastic. If the dough is too sticky, add a little more flour, one tablespoon at a time.
- 4. **First Rise:** Place the dough in a lightly oiled bowl, turning to coat. Cover with plastic wrap or a clean kitchen towel and let it rise in a warm place for 1-1.5 hours, or until doubled in size.
- **Preparing the Burger Filling:**
- 1. **Season the Beef:** In a large bowl, combine the ground beef, garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper. Mix well.
- 2. **Cook the Beef (Optional):** Lightly brown the ground beef in a skillet over medium heat. Drain off any grease.
- 3. **Cheese Prep:** Cut the cheddar cheese into small cubes.
- **Assembling the Burger Bombs:**
- 1. **Punch Down the Dough:** Once the dough has doubled in size, gently punch it down to release the air.
- 2. **Divide the Dough:** Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface and divide it into 8-10 equal pieces.
- 3. **Form the Bombs:** Take one piece of dough and flatten it into a small circle. Place a spoonful of the seasoned ground beef and a few cubes of cheese in the center of the circle.
- 4. **Seal the Bombs:** Gently pull the edges of the dough up and over the filling, pinching them together to seal the bomb. Make sure there are no holes or gaps.
- 5. **Place on Baking Sheet:** Place the sealed burger bombs on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat. Leave some space between each bomb.
- 6. **Second Rise:** Cover the burger bombs with a clean kitchen towel and let them rise for another 20-30 minutes.
- **Making the Garlic Parmesan Topping:**
- 1. **Melt the Butter:** In a small bowl, melt the butter in the microwave or in a saucepan over low heat.
- 2. **Add Garlic and Parmesan:** Stir in the minced garlic and grated parmesan cheese. If you're using fresh parsley, add it now as well.
- **Baking the Burger Bombs:**
- 1. **Preheat the Oven:** Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
- 2. **Brush with Garlic Parmesan:** Brush each burger bomb generously with the garlic parmesan topping.
- 3. **Bake:** Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the burger bombs are golden brown and the internal temperature of the beef reaches 160°F (71°C).
- 4. **Cool and Serve:** Let the burger bombs cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. Serve warm.
Notes
For best results, use high-quality ground beef with a fat content of around 80/20 for juicy burgers. If the dough is too sticky while kneading, add flour one tablespoon at a time. Don't over-knead. Brush the burger bombs generously with the garlic parmesan topping right before baking to ensure maximum flavor and a beautiful golden-brown crust. Store any leftover burger bombs in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat in the oven or microwave before serving. Get creative and use different cheeses or add other ingredients to the filling!