Description
Mini meatloaf “poppers” oozing with melted cheese—ideal for game days, cocktail parties, or any gathering where finger food rules!
Ingredients
-
Meat Mixture
-
1 lb (450 g) ground beef (80/20)
-
¼ lb (115 g) ground pork (optional, for extra juiciness)
-
½ cup (50 g) panko breadcrumbs
-
⅓ cup (80 ml) milk
-
1 large egg, lightly beaten
-
2 Tbsp ketchup
-
1 Tbsp Worcestershire sauce
-
½ small yellow onion, finely minced (~½ cup)
-
2 cloves garlic, minced
-
1 tsp Dijon mustard
-
1 tsp Italian seasoning
-
½ tsp smoked paprika
-
½ tsp kosher salt
-
¼ tsp black pepper
-
-
Cheese Centers
-
4 oz (115 g) cheese (sharp cheddar or mozzarella), cut into ½″ cubes (makes ~24 cubes)
-
-
Optional Glaze
-
¼ cup ketchup
-
2 Tbsp brown sugar
-
1 Tbsp apple cider vinegar
-
Pinch red-pepper flakes
-
-
Garnish
-
Chopped fresh parsley or chives
-
Instructions
1️⃣ Prep the cheese
: Cut cheese into ½″ cubes and freeze for 10 minutes—this helps them stay intact inside the meat.
2️⃣ Soak the breadcrumbs
: In a small bowl, combine panko and milk. Let sit 2–3 minutes until absorbed.
3️⃣ Mix the meatloaf base
: In a large bowl, gently combine ground meats, soaked panko, egg, ketchup, Worcestershire, onion, garlic, mustard, Italian seasoning, paprika, salt, and pepper—mix just until combined.
4️⃣ Form & stuff bites
: Scoop ~2 Tbsp meat mixture, flatten into a 2″ disk, place a cheese cube in the center, then wrap and seal the meat around it. Roll into a smooth ball. Repeat to make ~24 bites.
5️⃣ Bake the bites
: Preheat oven to 375 °F (190 °C). Arrange bites on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Bake 12 minutes until lightly browned.
6️⃣ Add the glaze (optional)
: Whisk together ketchup, brown sugar, vinegar, and red-pepper flakes. Brush bites with glaze, then bake 5–7 minutes more until the glaze is tacky and the internal temperature reaches 160 °F (71 °C).
7️⃣ Garnish & serve
: Transfer to a platter, sprinkle with parsley or chives, and serve warm with toothpicks.
Notes
-
Cheese swaps: Pepper Jack for heat, Gruyère for nuttiness, or Gouda for a smoky touch.
-
Air-fryer method: Air-fry at 360 °F (180 °C) for 10 minutes; glaze and air-fry 3 minutes more.
-
Make-ahead: Form and freeze on a tray until firm; store in a bag up to 1 month. Bake from frozen, adding ~5 minutes per stage.
-
Dipping sauces: Serve with ranch, BBQ, or honey-mustard on the side.
- Prep Time: 15 min
- Cook Time: 25 min