Kid Friendly Meatloaf Cupcakes Recipe – A Gluten Free Recipe (2024)

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You need a new ground beef recipe.

What? How’d I know that? Because I can read minds.

Okay. Not really. The truth is that I heard your family protesting yet another meatloaf all the way over here.

*sigh* Okaaay. It was actually my family doing the protesting. (Although my grain free meatloaf recipe is awesome!)

When we purchased a quarter of grass fed beef from our local farmer I ended up with 38 pounds of wonderful, grass-fed, ground beef to work my way through. I needed something beyond my usual meatloaf-chili-tacos rotation.

I created this recipe years ago and my family still loves it today. This meatloaf cupcake recipe has been with us through our real food transition, our paleo/primal preferences, and now our low-carb keto dinners.

See the recipe below and scroll down for a printable version if you need it.

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Kid Friendly Meatloaf Cupcakes Recipe – A Gluten Free Recipe (1)

Meatloaf Pie Inspired Meatloaf Cupcakes

One of my favorite childhood dishes was my mother’s meatloaf pie. I didn’t believe her the first time she made it and I asked what we were having for dinner. In my tiny world pies were always sweet, never savory, and I might have gagged a little at the thought of a meat pie.

Of course, when I saw it, a pie-shaped meatloaf topped with thick, creamy mashed potatoes and neatly arranged strips of cheese, I was sold. Cheese makes me weak in the knees.

And so one day, as I looked at two pounds of boring ground beef begging me to turn it into something my boys wouldn’t snub, I expanded on my mother’s pie genius and decided to attempt meatloaf cupcakes.

They were a hit!

Low Carb Keto Meatloaf Cupcakes

As I mentioned earlier, this meatloaf cupcakes recipes has been with my family through all of our dietary preferences. We ate them piled high with creamy mashed potatoes when we transitioned to a real food diet. We switched to sweet potatoes when we went paleo/primal.

Now that our dinners are usually low carb keto, we skip the potato topping and just add cheese.

The customization options are endless for toppings or sides with these meatloaf cupcakes.

Grab the recipe today and wow your family tonight!

Scroll the bottom of the post to print the recipe.

Here’s the recipe!

Ingredients

For the meatloaf:
2lbs grass-fed ground beef
2 pastured eggs
3 tsp garlic powderKid Friendly Meatloaf Cupcakes Recipe – A Gluten Free Recipe (3)
3 tsp onion powderKid Friendly Meatloaf Cupcakes Recipe – A Gluten Free Recipe (4)
2 tsp paprikaKid Friendly Meatloaf Cupcakes Recipe – A Gluten Free Recipe (5)
1 tsp sea saltKid Friendly Meatloaf Cupcakes Recipe – A Gluten Free Recipe (6)
1/4 tsp nutmegKid Friendly Meatloaf Cupcakes Recipe – A Gluten Free Recipe (7)
Optional–1/2 tsp ground mustardKid Friendly Meatloaf Cupcakes Recipe – A Gluten Free Recipe (8)

For the mashed potatoes (if you don’t eat keto or low carb):
6 medium russet potatoes (3 large sweet potatoes)
1/2 c of whole, raw grass-fed milk (if you aren’t using raw whole milk, use a 1/4c whole milk, 1/4c cream.)
1/4 c butter (more if you’d like!)
1/4 c sour cream (optional–we like the tangy flavor, but I omit it when using sweet potatoes)
Himalayan Pink Salt Kid Friendly Meatloaf Cupcakes Recipe – A Gluten Free Recipe (9)to taste

Optional–shredded Gouda cheese

Peas, carrots (shredded or chopped), cheese, bacon, or other toppings

Instructions
1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
2. Line a muffin tin with paper muffin cupsKid Friendly Meatloaf Cupcakes Recipe – A Gluten Free Recipe (10) or grease the tin liberally with butter or coconut oil.
3. Mix all of the meatloaf ingredients together.
4. Bake for 30-35 minutes or until the meat reaches an internal temperature of 160 degrees.
5. Peel, wash and chop the potatoes.
6. Boil the potatoes until soft and then drain. (If using sweet potatoes, you’ll need to bake them first–400 degrees for an hour.)
7. With a hand mixer, mix all of the mashed potato ingredients together.
8. Put the mashed potatoes in a pastry bag and pipe onto the meatloaves. (No pastry bag? Snip the tip off of a gallon-sized Ziploc bag and insert a pastry tip. No pastry tip? Do a tiny snip of the bag and it will work as a round tip.)
9. Decorate with colorful veggies, cheese, bacon or whatever else seems yummy.

Print the Recipe

Meatloaf Cupcakes

Print Recipe

Ingredients

  • For the meatloaf:
  • 2 lbs grass-fed ground beef
  • 2 pastured eggs
  • 3 tsp garlic powder
  • 3 tsp onion powder
  • 2 tsp paprika
  • 1 tsp sea salt
  • 1/4 tsp nutmeg
  • Optional--1/2 tsp ground mustard
  • For the mashed potatoes:
  • 6 medium russet potatoes 3 large sweet potatoes
  • 1/2 c of whole raw grass-fed milk (if you aren't using raw whole milk, use a 1/4c whole milk, 1/4c cream.)
  • 1/4 c butter more if you'd like!
  • 1/4 c sour cream optional--we like the tangy flavor, but I omit it when using sweet potatoes
  • Himalayan Pink Salt to taste
  • Optional--shredded Gouda cheese
  • Peas carrots (shredded or chopped), cheese, bacon, or other toppings

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 375 degrees.

  • Line a muffin tin with paper muffin cups or grease the tin liberally with butter or coconut oil.

  • Mix all of the meatloaf ingredients together.

  • Bake for 30-35 minutes or until the meat reaches an internal temperature of 160 degrees.

  • Peel, wash and chop the potatoes.

  • Boil the potatoes until soft and then drain. (If using sweet potatoes, you'll need to bake them first--400 degrees for an hour.)

  • With a hand mixer, mix all of the mashed potato ingredients together.

  • Put the mashed potatoes in a pastry bag and pipe onto the meatloaves. (No pastry bag? Snip the tip off of a gallon-sized Ziploc bag and insert a pastry tip. No pastry tip? Do a tiny snip of the bag and it will work as a round tip.)

  • Decorate with colorful veggies, cheese, bacon or whatever else seems yummy.

Before you go!

This is how I get a real food dinner on the table on even the busiest evenings. It’s all about planning, baby. Check it out!

Kid Friendly Meatloaf Cupcakes Recipe – A Gluten Free Recipe (11)

If you’re looking for Keto Meal Plans I recommend REAL PLANS. They’re my favorite real food, keto meal planner.

Kid Friendly Meatloaf Cupcakes Recipe – A Gluten Free Recipe (12)

Kid Friendly Meatloaf Cupcakes Recipe – A Gluten Free Recipe (2024)

FAQs

What is a gluten free substitute for breadcrumbs in meatloaf? ›

What is a gluten-free substitute for breadcrumbs in meatloaf? As seen in this meatloaf with breadcrumbs, I use almond flour and pork panko. These are excellent gluten-free substitutes that are also low-carb and keto friendly.

What can I use as a binder in meatloaf instead of breadcrumbs? ›

Substitute For Bread Crumbs In Meatloaf
  • Bread. Fresh bread or stale bread are perfect binding agents and fill-ins for regular breadcrumbs in meat loaf. ...
  • Crackers. Crushed crackers are one of the best substitutes for bread crumbs. ...
  • Oatmeal. ...
  • Potato Chips. ...
  • Rice. ...
  • Pretzels. ...
  • Cereal. ...
  • Nuts.
Mar 16, 2024

How to freeze uncooked meatloaf? ›

Freezing Meatloaf

For anything longer than two days, you will want to place the meatloaf in the freezer until ready to use. Mix the ingredients and form the loaf, then wrap it very well with plastic wrap and place it in an airtight freezer bag. Raw meatloaf should last up to six months in the freezer.

What can I use instead of breadcrumbs that are gluten-free? ›

Substitution / Alternatives For Gluten-Free Breadcrumbs
  • Homemade almond flour or almond meal.
  • Corn flakes (not all corn flakes are gluten free, so be sure to check ingredients)
  • Gluten-free crackers.
  • Rolled oats (used certified gluten free)
  • Crushed nuts.
  • Gluten free pretzels.
  • Potato chips.
  • Rice or Corn Chex cereal.
Apr 22, 2020

What can I use to bind instead of breadcrumbs? ›

Nuts Or Seeds

Sunflower seeds, almonds, and sesame seeds are all great breadcrumb alternatives. Chop larger nuts finely in a food processor. Seeds like sesame are already small enough and can be used as is. Use a variety of nuts as a coating for chicken, fish, or pork; just pulse them finely so they will stick.

What is a gluten free substitute for breadcrumbs in meatballs? ›

Rolled oats are the perfect gluten-free binding ingredient, replacing breadcrumbs in meatballs or meatloaf and many more recipes when you need to bind meat and eggs. Rolled oats are best not used as a coating agent as they tend to go soggy.

Are panko breadcrumbs gluten free? ›

Yes. Providing Panko Breadcrumbs are made with gluten free bread and are processed and cooked in a gluten-clean environment, they are safe for people with Coeliac Disease (Celiac) and other gluten or wheat avoidant conditions.

Is it better to freeze baked or unbaked meatloaf? ›

A: What a thoughtful gesture! Meatloaf can be frozen either fully cooked and cooled or raw ready to bake. Wrap each meatloaf tightly to prevent freezer burn or contamination from raw meat. Whichever method you use, be sure to defrost meat loaf thoroughly in refrigerator before baking or reheating.

Can you freeze uncooked meatloaf with raw eggs in it? ›

The Quick Answer. Yes, you can! You can freeze leftover (already-cooked) as well as uncooked, raw meatloaf. This makes meatloaf a super convenient recipe for meal prep, of course.

Can you freeze raw meatloaf and bake later? ›

It's easy to make two: one to freeze and the other to bake right away. Or for individual meals, form the meatloaf mixture into muffin-sized balls and freeze in a non-stick muffin pan. Once solid, bag them for the freezer; remove only what you need for each meal. Again, use within three months.

What is a gluten-free alternative to breadcrumbs in meatballs? ›

Rolled oats are the perfect gluten-free binding ingredient, replacing breadcrumbs in meatballs or meatloaf and many more recipes when you need to bind meat and eggs. Rolled oats are best not used as a coating agent as they tend to go soggy.

What is a gluten-free substitute for breadcrumbs in meatballs? ›

Crushed Tortilla Chips

For a gluten-free substitute to traditional breadcrumbs, look for gluten-free corn tortilla chips. You can use these crunchy crumbs to coat chicken cutlets and fish fillets, or you can fold crushed tortilla chips into your meatball mixture for a crowd-pleasing family dinner idea.

What is a good gluten-free breading? ›

Other Ideas for Gluten-Free Breading:

Sweet rice flour. Brown rice flour. Crushed corn chips (or potato chips) Crushed Brown Rice Crispy Cereal.

Can I use flour instead of breadcrumbs in meatloaf? ›

This is a recipe for a country-style meatloaf, which uses flour instead of breadcrumbs or crackers for the binding agent. The addition of mushrooms, carrots, celery, and onions make this classic comfort food so moist, full of flavor, and absolutely delicious.

References

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