Tender Mini Meatloaf Bites (Printable)

Savory mini meatloaf bites baked with a sweet maple-mustard glaze, great for meals or gatherings.

# What You Need:

→ Meat Mixture

01 - 1 lb ground beef (85% lean)
02 - 1/2 cup breadcrumbs
03 - 1/4 cup milk
04 - 1 large egg
05 - 1/3 cup finely diced onion
06 - 1/4 cup finely diced celery
07 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
08 - 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley
09 - 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
10 - 1 tsp salt
11 - 1/2 tsp freshly ground black pepper
12 - 1/2 tsp dried thyme

→ Maple-Mustard Glaze

13 - 3 tbsp pure maple syrup
14 - 2 tbsp Dijon mustard
15 - 1 tbsp ketchup

# How-To Steps:

01 - Preheat oven to 375°F. Lightly grease a 12-cup muffin tin.
02 - In a large bowl, combine breadcrumbs and milk. Let sit for 3 minutes until softened.
03 - Add ground beef, egg, onion, celery, garlic, parsley, Worcestershire sauce, salt, pepper, and thyme to the breadcrumb mixture. Gently mix until just combined without overworking.
04 - Divide the mixture evenly among the muffin cups, pressing lightly to fill each.
05 - In a small bowl, whisk together maple syrup, Dijon mustard, and ketchup until smooth.
06 - Spoon or brush half of the glaze over the tops of the meatloaf bites.
07 - Bake for 20 minutes at 375°F.
08 - Remove meatloaf bites from oven and brush remaining glaze on top.
09 - Return to oven and bake an additional 5 minutes until cooked through (internal temperature 160°F).
10 - Let rest for 5 minutes. Use a knife to loosen each bite, then lift out for serving.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • They're actually fun to eat—no awkward slicing, just pick one up and go.
  • The muffin tin trick means every bite gets crispy edges and a little glaze pocket on top.
  • Meal prep magic: make a double batch and freeze them for nights when cooking feels impossible.
02 -
  • Don't overmix the meat mixture—I learned this the hard way and made dense, tough meatloaves that felt like eating a hockey puck.
  • The muffin tin is not just a gimmick; it creates more surface area for the glaze to caramelize, which makes them taste exponentially better than a regular loaf.
03 -
  • If you want extra flavor depth, add a pinch of smoked paprika or a dash of hot sauce to the meat mixture for a subtle smoky or spicy undertone.
  • Ground turkey or chicken works beautifully as a lighter substitute, though you might need to add an extra tablespoon of milk since poultry is leaner.
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