Step 1

Preheat the oven to 450 degrees F (230 degrees C).

Step 2

Toss tots with oil on a 10x15-inch baking pan, then spread into a single layer.

Step 3

Bake in the preheated oven, turning once halfway through, until browned and crisp, 15 to 18 minutes.

Step 4

Meanwhile, put ground beef on a sheet of waxed paper. Top with another sheet and press beef into a 4x6-inch rectangle. Remove top sheet. Sprinkle beef with salt and pepper, then cut into sixteen 1x1 1/2-inch rectangles.

Step 5

Break each cheese slice into quarters; fold quarters over to make 16 pieces of double-layered cheese.

Step 6

Cook beef in a large skillet over medium heat until browned on one side, about 3 minutes. Turn burgers over, top with cheese; cook, covered, until beef is no longer pink in centers and cheese has melted, about 3 minutes.

Step 7

Top 1 tot with a cheeseburger, ketchup, mustard, pickle, and another tot; spear stack with a toothpick. Repeat with remaining ingredients.