Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C) or set your air fryer to 400°F (200°C). Spread the frozen tater tots in a single layer on a baking sheet or in the air fryer basket. Bake or air fry them for 20-25 minutes until they are golden brown and crispy, flipping halfway through.

While the tater tots are baking, heat a skillet over medium-high heat and add a drizzle of olive oil. Once hot, toss in the ground beef and, if using, the diced onion. Cook for about 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the beef is browned and fully cooked. Season with garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper to taste, then drain any excess grease.

On a large serving platter, begin to build your Loaded Cheeseburger Tater Tot Pile. Start with a layer of crispy tater tots, and sprinkle half of the shredded cheddar cheese over the tater tots, followed by the cooked ground beef. Finally, layer on the remaining shredded cheese.

Return the assembled tater tot pile to the oven, set at 375°F (190°C), for about 5 minutes until the cheese melts.

Add your favorite toppings like ketchup and burger sauce, pickles, diced tomatoes, and lettuce. Customize this delicious creation to suit everyone's tastes and serve hot.