Introducing Instant Pot Meatloaf Bites! These savory morsels capture all the flavor of traditional meatloaf in a fraction of the time. With tender meat and a savory glaze, this Instant Pot Meatloaf Appetizer is sure to become a family favorite.
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Why This Recipe Works
- Bite-Sized Delight: This meatloaf recipe makes perfect snack size appetizers.
- Quick and Convenient: Pressure cooker meatloaf bites are super speedy to make.
- Packed with Flavor: Each bite is bursting with the classic meatloaf taste everyone will love.
📋 Ingredients
- Lean Ground Beef: Ground meat adds a rich, savory flavor and forms the bulk of the meatloaf bites.
- Ground Pork Sausage: Enhances the depth of flavor with its fatty, slightly sweet taste.
- Breadcrumbs: Helps bind the meatloaf mixture together while also keeping it moist and tender.
- Eggs: Act as a binder, holding all the other ingredients together to form cohesive bites.
- Salt and Black Pepper: Balance the flavors of the meat and other ingredients.
- Non-Stick Spray: Prevents the meatloaf bites from sticking to the Instant Pot, ensuring they retain their shape during cooking.
- Ketchup: Adds a tangy sweetness to the glaze that contrasts nicely with the savory meatloaf bites.
- Paprika: Brings a subtle smokiness to the glaze, complementing the sweetness of the ketchup.
- Worcestershire Sauce: Gives the glaze a complex, savory depth of flavor with its unique blend of vinegar, molasses, and spices.
For the complete list of ingredients with measurements and instructions, please see the recipe card at the bottom of the post.
🔀 Substitutions & Variations
- Ground Turkey: One simple way to cut out some of the fat content in your recipes is to swap out the ground beef and use ground turkey meat instead. You won't even notice a taste difference really but just be certain to make a note of any changes that you'll need to do for future recipes as turkey meat can sometimes cook up drier due to less fat content.
- Extra Flavor: If you wish add some garlic powder or onion powder to your meatloaf mixture.
🔪How To Make Instant Pot Meatloaf Bites
Step One: In a large bowl, mix together your beef and pork, bread crumbs, eggs, salt, and pepper.
Step Two: Spray your molds with cooking spray. Fill each mold with the meat mixture. Cover the mold with your silicone lids. If the mold you have doesn’t come with one, you can cover with aluminum foil.
Step Three: Add 1 cup of water to your Instant Pot. Add your trivet to the Pot then add your silicone molds on top of the trivet. You can add up to two layers of molds in your Pot. Pressure cook for 35 minutes.
Step Four: Naturally release and remove the molds carefully by using a hot pad or towel, and pulling the trivet out. Place each mold on a cooling rack. Allow to cool in the molds for 5 minutes. Then, remove from molds and serve with ketchup!
Mini Beef meatloaf bites are perfect for parties or as a main dish with creamy mashed potatoes, chopped onion, vegetables, and gravy.
👩🍳 Expert Tips
- Select the Right Meat: Use a mix of ground meats for the best flavor and texture. A combination of ground beef and ground pork often works well, as the pork adds a bit of fat, which keeps the bites moist and flavorful.
- Add Moisture and Binding Agents: Incorporate ingredients that add moisture and help bind the mixture together. Finely chopped onions, a splash of milk, and breadcrumbs are traditional, but for moister bites, consider adding a small amount of soaked breadcrumbs or even a bit of grated zucchini.
- Season Well: Don't skimp on seasonings. Meatloaf benefits from robust flavors, so add herbs like parsley or thyme, as well as Worcestershire sauce and a touch of garlic powder. Salt and pepper are essential, but you can also mix in a bit of smoked paprika for a deeper flavor profile.
- Use Silicone Molds or Egg Bite Molds: To cook meatloaf bites in an Instant Pot, use silicone molds or specifically designed egg bite molds. These allow for even cooking and easy removal after cooking. Lightly grease the molds before adding the meat mixture to prevent sticking.
- Add Water for Pressure Cooking: Before placing the mold in the Instant Pot, add a cup of water to the pot's base. This is crucial for generating enough steam to pressure cook the meatloaf bites properly.
💭 FAQs
In an Instant Pot, traditional meatloaf glazes may not work as intended due to the pressure cooking environment. The high pressure and steam can dilute or alter the consistency of glazes, resulting in less desirable outcomes. Additionally, without the direct heat of an oven, glazes may not caramelize or set properly.
Allow the meatloaf bites to cool completely, then transfer them to an airtight container or resealable plastic bag. Store them in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. To reheat, simply microwave them until heated through or warm them in the oven. If you want to store meatloaf bites for a longer period, freeze them individually on a baking sheet until solid, then transfer them to a freezer-safe container or bag. They can be stored in the freezer for up to 2-3 months.
Absolutely! Ground beef is commonly used, but you can also opt for ground turkey, chicken, or pork. Each will provide a unique flavor and texture to your meatloaf bites.
To ensure easy removal, generously grease your silicone egg bite mold with cooking spray or a light coating of oil before adding the meat mixture. This simple step helps in releasing the meatloaf bites effortlessly after cooking.
Yes, you can prepare both at the same time. Place peeled and quartered potatoes at the bottom of the Instant Pot, add the trivet on top, and position the egg bite mold filled with the meatloaf mixture above it. This method allows you to serve a complete meal efficiently.
After pressure cooking, the internal temperature of the meatloaf bites should reach 160°F (71°C) to be considered safe for consumption. Using a kitchen thermometer is the most reliable way to check doneness.
Serving Suggestions
You can serve these appetizers with meatloaf sauce, BBQ sauce, ketchup or sour cream or as part of a meal.
- Garlic Mashed Potatoes: Creamy and flavorful, the perfect match for savory meatloaf bites.
- Parmesan Asparagus: Elegant and simple, enhancing the meal with a touch of sophistication.
- Sweet Potato Fries: A hint of sweetness complements the savory meatloaf bites beautifully.
- Cauliflower Mash: Low-carb alternative, velvety, and satisfying without the extra calories.
- Sauteed Green Beans: Quick and easy, a crisp side that brings a burst of color to your plate.
🍜 Related Recipes
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Instant Pot Meatloaf Bites
Equipment
- 14 Skewers Optional
Ingredients
- 1 pound Ground Beef
- 1 pound Ground Pork Sausage
- 1 cup Breadcrumbs
- 2 Eggs
- Salt
- Black Pepper
- 2 cups Ketchup
- ¼ teaspoon Paprika
- 2 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
Instructions
- In a large mixing bowl, mix together your beef, sausage, breadcrumbs, eggs, salt, and pepper.
- Spray your molds with cooking spray. Fill each mold with the meatloaf mixture. Cover the mold with your silicone lids. If the mold you have doesn’t come with one, you can cover with aluminum foil.
- Add 1 cup of water to your Instant Pot. Add your trivet to the Pot then add your silicone molds on top of the trivet. You can add up to two layers of molds in your Pot.
- Cook on High Pressure for 35 minutes.
- Once done cooking, manually open the valve using a towel or hot pad to prevent burning from the hot steam.
- Once the steam has quit, remove the molds carefully by using a hot pad or towel, and pulling the trivet out. Place each mold on a cooling rack. Allow to cool in the molds for 5 minutes.
This yummy goodness in 10 minutes is the motivation I need to have the girls over this weekend
These look amazing and I know my son would love a bite like that. I do not have an instant pot so I would have to try it in an oven or air fryer.
This is something that my husband would love for dinner. These sound so simple to make.
What a neat idea. I love bite size portions like this, and these bites sound like they would have a great consistency.
I'm sure this is so delicious since the ingredients are slightly similar to what we called "embutido".
It's a great idea to make meatloaf bites! My family will love it for an appetizer or a movie night dinner!
Meatloaf is so heavenly. My wife and I love it and we have a favorite restaurant near our place where we always have meatloaf. Unfortunately, it closed down because of the pandemic. These days though, I think cooking at home is the safest option so I'll try this recipe.
That's so clever. These are perfect finger food for picnics over the summer. I've not tried meatloaf before so this would be interesting.
love a good meatloaf recipes. theres so many ways to make one
Oh, looks so cute and yummy 😍I have never had meatloaf bites before, so definitely want to give your recipe a try now!
These Instant Pot Meatloaf bites would be perfect to make for my next gathering.
That sounds like a delicious dish to try and I'm up for any instant pot recipes.
I tried these meatloaf bites for a party, and they were a hit!