📝 About This Recipe
Elevate a humble comfort food classic into a modern, crispy-edged delight with these individual meatloaf muffins. By using the air fryer, we achieve a perfectly caramelized exterior while locking in a succulent, tender interior that traditional ovens often miss. These petite portions are infused with aromatic herbs and finished with a tangy balsamic-tomato glaze that makes them as beautiful as they are delicious.
🥗 Ingredients
Meatloaf Base
- 1.5 pounds Ground Beef (80/20 lean-to-fat ratio for best flavor)
- 1/2 cup Yellow Onion (finely grated or minced)
- 3 cloves Garlic (pressed or minced)
- 3/4 cup Panko Breadcrumbs (plain)
- 1/4 cup Whole Milk (helps hydrate the breadcrumbs)
- 1 large Egg (beaten)
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire Sauce
- 2 tablespoons Fresh Parsley (finely chopped)
- 1 teaspoon Kosher Salt
- 1/2 teaspoon Black Pepper (freshly cracked)
- 1/2 teaspoon Dried Thyme
The Glaze
- 1/2 cup Ketchup
- 1 tablespoon Brown Sugar (packed)
- 1 teaspoon Balsamic Vinegar (adds a sophisticated tang)
- 1/4 teaspoon Smoked Paprika (for a hint of wood-fired flavor)
👨🍳 Instructions
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1
In a small bowl, combine the panko breadcrumbs and milk. Let them sit for about 5 minutes until the breadcrumbs have fully absorbed the liquid; this 'panade' ensures a moist meatloaf.
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2
In a separate small mixing bowl, whisk together the ketchup, brown sugar, balsamic vinegar, and smoked paprika until smooth. Set this glaze aside.
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3
In a large mixing bowl, combine the ground beef, minced onion, garlic, beaten egg, Worcestershire sauce, parsley, salt, pepper, and thyme.
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4
Add the soaked panko mixture to the meat. Using your hands or a fork, gently mix the ingredients together until just combined. Do not overwork the meat, or the loaves will become dense.
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5
Lightly grease a standard 12-cup muffin tin with non-stick cooking spray. If your air fryer basket is small, ensure your muffin tin fits or use silicone muffin liners.
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6
Divide the meat mixture evenly into the 12 muffin cups, pressing down slightly to level the tops but keeping them airy.
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7
Preheat your air fryer to 350°F (175°C) for 3 minutes.
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8
Carefully place the muffin tin into the air fryer basket. If using individual silicone liners, space them out slightly to allow for maximum air circulation.
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9
Air fry at 350°F for 12 minutes. The tops should be starting to brown and the meat should be firming up.
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10
Open the air fryer and spoon a generous tablespoon of the prepared glaze over each mini meatloaf, spreading it to the edges.
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11
Continue air frying for another 6-8 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 160°F (71°C) and the glaze is bubbly and slightly tacky.
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12
Remove the tin from the air fryer and let the meatloaves rest in the pan for 5 minutes. This allows the juices to redistribute so they don't fall apart.
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13
Use a butter knife or small offset spatula to gently lift the loaves out of the tin and serve immediately.
💡 Chef's Tips
For the juiciest results, always use 80/20 ground beef; leaner meat can become dry in the high-heat environment of an air fryer. Grate your onions instead of chopping them—the onion juice adds incredible moisture and the texture disappears into the meat. If you don't have a muffin tin that fits your air fryer, you can shape the meat into free-form 3-ounce oval patties and place them directly on the air fryer tray. Avoid over-mixing the meat; stop as soon as the ingredients are visually incorporated to maintain a tender 'crumb'. To check for seasoning before cooking, fry a tiny marble-sized piece of the mixture in a skillet and taste it, adjusting salt/pepper if needed.
🍽️ Serving Suggestions
Serve alongside creamy garlic mashed potatoes to soak up any extra glaze. Pair with air-fried green beans or roasted asparagus for a complete, healthy meal. A crisp wedge salad with blue cheese dressing provides a cool, refreshing contrast to the warm meat. For a beverage, a medium-bodied Red Blend or a cold Amber Ale complements the savory beef and sweet glaze perfectly. Leftovers make fantastic 'Meatloaf Sliders' on toasted brioche buns the next day.