Cheesy BBQ Meatloaf Bites with Crunchy Onion Top
These bite-sized meatloaf snacks are packed with gooey cheddar, smoky BBQ sauce, and topped with crispy fried onions for irresistible crunch. Perfect for parties, game nights, or family snacking, they’re easy to make and always a crowd-pleaser.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 10-12 bites (about 4 servings) 1x
- Category: Appetizer
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 lb ground beef (80/20 for juiciness)
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1/2 cup BBQ sauce
- 1/2 cup breadcrumbs (panko or regular)
- 1 large egg
- 1/2 cup finely diced onion (about 1 small onion)
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
- 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce (optional)
- 1 cup fried crispy onions (store-bought or homemade)
- 1/2 cup extra shredded cheddar cheese (for topping)
- 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley (optional, for garnish)
- Extra BBQ sauce (optional, for drizzling)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly spray a standard 12-cup muffin tin with nonstick spray or use paper liners.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine ground beef, 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese, BBQ sauce, breadcrumbs, egg, diced onion, garlic powder, salt, black pepper, and Worcestershire sauce (if using). Mix gently until just combined.
- Using a cookie scoop or tablespoon, portion the mixture evenly into the muffin tin, pressing gently but not packing tightly. You should get 10-12 bites.
- Sprinkle each bite with fried crispy onions and a pinch of extra shredded cheese.
- Bake for 22-25 minutes, until meat is cooked through (internal temp 160°F) and cheese is melted and bubbling. For extra crunch, broil for 1-2 minutes at the end, watching closely.
- Let bites cool in the tin for 5 minutes, then loosen edges and transfer to a serving plate.
- Garnish with chopped parsley and drizzle with extra BBQ sauce if desired. Serve warm.
Notes
For gluten-free, use almond flour instead of breadcrumbs and check fried onions. For dairy-free, use vegan cheese and skip cheese topping. Don’t overmix the meat mixture to keep bites juicy. Broil briefly for extra crunch but watch closely to avoid burning. Store leftovers in the fridge up to 4 days or freeze up to 2 months.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 meatloaf bite
- Calories: 120
- Sugar: 2
- Sodium: 320
- Fat: 7
- Saturated Fat: 3
- Carbohydrates: 6
- Fiber: 0.5
- Protein: 9
Keywords: meatloaf bites, cheesy meatloaf, BBQ meatloaf, party snack, appetizer, crunchy onion, finger food, game day, comfort food