Copycat Burger King Dragon Whopper Recipe

The Burger King Dragon Whopper is a bold, flame-grilled burger inspired by the How to Train Your Dragon collaboration. It stands out because of its fiery look, smoky beef flavor, and spicy sauce twist.
If you’ve ever wondered how to recreate the Dragon Whopper at home, this guide walks you through the exact ingredients, steps, and small tricks that actually make it taste right.

I’ll be honest. The first time I saw this burger online, I thought, Is this just a regular Whopper with food coloring? Turns out, there’s more to it. I tested versions at home, tweaked the seasoning, and yes, I burned one bun along the way. Worth it.

This article covers everything: ingredients with measurements, how to make it step by step, how to serve it, how to store it, and the most common questions people search for worldwide.

Ingredients for Burger King Dragon Whopper

These ingredients are based on recreating the Burger King Dragon Whopper recipe as closely as possible using home-friendly items. You don’t need anything fancy.

For the Dragon-Style Burger Buns

• All-purpose flour – 3 cups
• Warm milk – 1 cup
• Active dry yeast – 2¼ teaspoons (1 packet)
• Sugar – 2 tablespoons
• Salt – 1 teaspoon
• Butter (melted) – 3 tablespoons
• Egg – 1 large
• Paprika – 1 teaspoon
• Tomato paste – 1 tablespoon (for color swirl)

Quick note: Burger King uses a special colored bun. At home, this swirl method gets you close without artificial dyes.

For the Flame-Grilled Beef Patties

• Ground beef (80/20) – 1½ pounds
• Salt – 1½ teaspoons
• Black pepper – 1 teaspoon
• Garlic powder – 1 teaspoon
• Onion powder – 1 teaspoon
• Smoked paprika – 1 teaspoon

For the Dragon Whopper Toppings

• American cheese slices – 4
• Beef bacon or regular bacon – 8 slices
• Roma tomatoes – sliced
• Iceberg lettuce – shredded
• White onion – thin slices
• Pickles – optional

For the Dragon Whopper Sauce

• Mayonnaise – ½ cup
• Ketchup – 2 tablespoons
• Hot sauce – 1 tablespoon (adjust to taste)
• Smoked paprika – ½ teaspoon
• Honey – 1 teaspoon

How to Make the Burger King Dragon Whopper (Step-by-Step)

This is where most people get stuck. Don’t rush it. The first two steps matter more than you think.

Step 1: Make the Dragon Burger Buns

The bun is half the magic of the Dragon Whopper.
Start by mixing warm milk, yeast, and sugar. Let it sit for 5 minutes until foamy. If it doesn’t foam, your yeast is dead. Been there.

Add flour, salt, butter, and egg. Knead until soft.
Divide the dough into two portions. Mix paprika into one portion and tomato paste into the other. Gently twist them together to create a marbled effect. Don’t overmix, or you’ll lose the color contrast.

Let the dough rise for 1 hour.
Bake at 375°F (190°C) for 15–18 minutes until lightly golden.

Step 2: Prepare the Flame-Grilled Patties

This step answers a big question people ask: How does Burger King get that flame-grilled taste?

Mix beef with salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, and smoked paprika. Don’t overwork the meat. Form wide, thin patties.

Grill on high heat or use a cast-iron pan. You want char. Real char.
Cook about 3–4 minutes per side.

Add cheese in the last minute and cover to melt.

Step 3: Make the Dragon Whopper Sauce

Stir all sauce ingredients together in a bowl.
Taste it. Adjust the heat if needed.

In my experience, this sauce makes or breaks the burger. Too much ketchup and it tastes basic. Too much hot sauce and it kills the balance.

Step 4: Assemble the Dragon Whopper

Toast the buns lightly.
Spread sauce on both sides.

Layer like this:

• Bottom bun
• Lettuce
• Tomato
• Beef patty with cheese
• Bacon
• Onion
• Pickles (optional)
• Top bun

Press gently. Don’t smash it.

How to Serve the Dragon Whopper

The Dragon Whopper is best served hot, fresh, and messy.
That’s the point.

Classic pairings work best:

• Crispy French fries
• Onion rings
• Mozzarella sticks

For drinks, I usually go with:

• Cola
• Root beer
• Lemonade

If you’re doing a themed meal, add spicy dipping sauces on the side. Kids love the look of the bun, and adults love the flavor.

Storage and Reheating Tips

The Dragon Whopper tastes best fresh, but leftovers happen.

How to Store

• Store patties separately in an airtight container
• Keep buns wrapped at room temperature for 1 day
• Sauce stays fresh in the fridge for up to 5 days

How to Reheat

• Reheat patties in a skillet for the best texture
• Avoid microwaving buns if possible
• Assemble fresh after reheating

Freezing is okay for patties, not for buns.

FAQs – Burger King Dragon Whopper Questions Answered

What is the Burger King Dragon Whopper?
The Burger King Dragon Whopper is a limited-time burger inspired by How to Train Your Dragon. It features a flame-grilled beef patty, special sauce, bacon, cheese, and a dragon-themed colored bun.

Is the Dragon Whopper spicy?
It’s mildly spicy. The heat mostly comes from the sauce. At home, you control how spicy it gets.

Does Burger King still sell the Dragon Whopper?
Availability depends on promotions. Many people search for the recipe because it’s often limited-time only in the US.

What makes the Dragon Whopper different from a regular Whopper?
The bun, sauce, and theme. The base burger is similar, but the flavor profile is smokier and slightly spicier.

Can I make the Dragon Whopper without a grill?
Yes. A cast-iron skillet works well. You won’t get full-flavored flavor, but smoked paprika helps.

Is this recipe kid-friendly?
Yes. Reduce the hot sauce and skip spicy toppings. Kids mostly love the colorful bun.

Conclusion: Is the Dragon Whopper Worth Making at Home?

The Burger King Dragon Whopper recipe is fun, bold, and surprisingly doable at home.
If you enjoy copycat fast-food recipes, this one’s worth trying.

I won’t pretend it’s healthier than a regular burger. It’s not. But it’s a great weekend project, especially if you like themed food or missed it when Burger King stopped selling it.