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Quick & Easy Brown Sugar Glazed Meatloaf Muffins

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These Quick Brown Sugar Glazed Meatloaf Muffins are perfectly portioned, tender, and juicy with a sweet caramelized glaze. Ready in just 35 minutes, they’re a faster, kid-friendly twist on classic meatloaf that’s perfect for busy weeknights.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 ½ pounds ground beef (80/20 blend)
  • 1 cup plain breadcrumbs
  • ½ cup milk (whole or 2%)
  • 1 large egg, lightly beaten
  • ½ cup finely diced yellow onion (about half a medium onion)
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • ½ teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 teaspoon dried thyme
  • ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 2 tablespoons ketchup
  • 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
  • ⅓ cup ketchup (for glaze)
  • ¼ cup packed brown sugar (light or dark)
  • 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
  • ½ teaspoon garlic powder

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease a 12-cup muffin tin with cooking spray or oil.
  2. Prepare the glaze: In a small bowl, whisk together ⅓ cup ketchup, ¼ cup packed brown sugar, 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar, and ½ teaspoon garlic powder. Set aside.
  3. Sauté aromatics: Heat a small skillet over medium heat with 1 teaspoon oil. Cook diced onion for 3-4 minutes until softened. Add minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant. Let cool.
  4. Mix meatloaf base: In a large bowl, combine ground beef, breadcrumbs, milk, beaten egg, cooled onion-garlic mixture, salt, pepper, thyme, smoked paprika, 2 tablespoons ketchup, and Worcestershire sauce. Mix gently with your hands until just combined.
  5. Fill muffin tin: Divide meat mixture evenly among 12 muffin cups, filling to the top and slightly mounded. Press down gently to remove air pockets.
  6. First bake: Bake for 15 minutes until muffins start to brown and shrink slightly.
  7. Apply glaze: Remove from oven. Spoon or brush about 1 tablespoon of glaze over each muffin, spreading evenly.
  8. Final bake: Return to oven and bake for 10-12 more minutes until glaze is bubbly and caramelized, and internal temperature reaches 160°F (71°C).
  9. Rest and serve: Let muffins rest in pan for 5 minutes. Carefully remove and serve warm with extra glaze if desired.

Notes

Use 80/20 ground beef for best moisture. Don’t overmix the meat to avoid toughness. Let muffins rest 5 minutes before serving to redistribute juices. For extra glaze, double the glaze ingredients and reserve half for serving. To prevent sticking, line muffin cups with parchment strips or grease generously. Check internal temperature at 22 minutes to avoid overcooking.

Nutrition

Keywords: meatloaf muffins, brown sugar glazed meatloaf, quick meatloaf, individual meatloaf, easy dinner, comfort food, freezer-friendly, kid-friendly

Find it online: https://evabake.com/quick-and-easy-brown-sugar-glazed-meatloaf-muffins/