This bacon wrapped smoked mini meatloaf recipe takes classic meatloaf and kicks it up several notches. A classic meatloaf mix is transformed by using crushed Cheez-Its in place of breadcrumbs and infusing it with BBQ sauce before wrapping it in bacon and smoking it to perfection. Then, I top it with BBQ sauce for even more flavor.
I’ve been on a meatloaf kick lately. I just love this classic dish. It’s so good and so versatile! I’ve been making meatloaf since I could cook because it’s so easy and hearty. I’ve also been playing with the recipe for all those years because I love making fun variations. I enjoy making meatloaf recipes with tasty twists like brown sugar meatloaf or meatloaf paninis. Now, I’ve added these mini meatloaves wrapped in bacon and BBQ sauce mixed right in. They’re so delicious, and they make a super fun dinner or an excellent appetizer. We all love it, and I know you will, too, when you give it a try.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Simple Ingredients: Like almost any meatloaf, this recipe uses simple ingredients found in your kitchen or local grocery store.
- Easy: This is an easy recipe that only requires some mixing, wrapping, and baking.
- Tons of Flavor: The meatloaf mix is infused with BBQ sauce, Worcestershire sauce, ketchup, and bold seasonings to create a super flavorful dish.
- Tender and Juicy: All that sauce creates a meatloaf that’s super juicy and never dry.
- Customizable: It’s easy to change up the ingredients to create all kinds of new meatloaf dishes.
- Versatile: These are fun little bites that are perfect for an unexpected dinner or as an appetizer at parties.
- Great for Meal Prep: These little meatloaves are freezer-friendly, so you can make a double batch to freeze some for later.
Ingredients
Mini Meatloaves
- Ground Beef: An 80/20 ground beef creates juicy loaves that aren’t greasy.
- Eggs: Eggs add moisture and bind the meatloaf together.
- Cheez-Its: Crushed Cheez-Its replace breadcrumbs, helping bind the meatloaf together, retaining moisture, and adding a cheesy flavor.
- Sauce: A mix of ketchup, BBQ sauce, and Worcestershire sauce adds tons of flavor and moisture to add a big pop of flavor and keep the loaves tender and juicy.
- Seasonings: A blend of Cajun seasoning, garlic, onion powder, and smoked paprika adds even more bold flavor to the meatloaves.
- Bacon: Wrapping bacon around the outside adds a smoky flavor and crispy texture to the meatloaves.
Topping
- BBQ Sauce: BBQ sauce creates a topping that’s bold and adds additional flavor.
See the recipe card at the end of the post for a full list of ingredients and their exact measurements.
Flavor Variations
- Spicy: Add red pepper flakes or cayenne for even more heat.
- Tex-Mex: Use a blend of ground beef and chorizo and add diced jalapenos for a Tex-Mex version.
- Ground Meat: You have a ton of options here. Try a blend of ground beef and pork, ground beef and turkey, or ground beef and Italian sausage.
- Cinnamon: Believe it or not, cinnamon is a great addition to this meatloaf. Just a tiny amount accentuates the flavor of the meatloaves with an almost imperceptible cinnamon flavor.
Instructions
- Preheat the smoker to 275 degrees and line a baking sheet with foil. Then, place a wire rack on top of it and set it aside.
- Mix everything except the bacon and topping ingredients in a large bowl until combined.
- Shape the mixture into 2-inch oblong meatloaves.
- Wrap each loaf with a slice of bacon and secure it with 2 toothpicks.
- Spread BBQ sauce over the loaves. Halfway through, turn over and brush with BBQ sauce again.
- Smoke for approximately 2 hours or until the bacon is crispy, and the internal temperature registers 165 degrees.
Hint
Mix the beef mixture until just combined. Don’t overwork it, or it will become tough.
Storage
Refrigerate leftovers for up to 3 days in an airtight container. For longer storage, wrap chilled loaves individually in plastic wrap and freeze them for up to 3 months in an airtight, freezer-safe container or heavy-duty freezer bag.
To reheat the meatloaves, defrost them overnight in the refrigerator if frozen. Then, microwave individual portions at 1-minute intervals until heated through.
Pairing Suggestions
If you’re serving these bacon wrapped mini meatloaves as a main dish, pair them with classics like mashed potatoes or baked potatoes and smoked corn on the cob, bacon green beans, or both.
For parties, pair these mini meatloaves with dipping sauces like BBQ sauce, ketchup, spicy mustard, or even ranch. That smoky, BBQ flavor works with just about anything!
Tips
- It’s important to place your meatloaves on a wire rack so the smoke and heat can circulate around them evenly.
- The easiest way to mix your meatloaf is with clean hands.
- It’s important not to overmix the meatloaf ingredients. Mix until everything is combined, and then stop. Overmixing will make the mixture toughen as it cooks.
Frequently Asked Questions
Meatloaf made with lean ground meat or too many breadcrumbs will end up being dry. In addition, cooking it for too long or at a temperature that’s too high will also dry it out. Finally, overmixing the meatloaf mixture will make it dry. Overmixing shortens the proteins, causing them to contract as the meat cooks, squeezing out the moisture along the way.
One of the most important things for moist meatloaf is, unsurprisingly, moisture. Be sure to use enough wet ingredients like sauces or milk, along with breadcrumbs, to hold on to the added liquid and the moisture of the ground meat itself. In addition, eggs are always an excellent choice for keeping meatloaf moist. Finally, mix your ingredients until just combined, and be sure you don’t overcook them.
If you’re meatloaf falls apart, it usually means you didn’t use enough binding agent or you cooked it for too long. Eggs and breadcrumbs are the classic mixture to allow the meatloaf to keep its shape. In addition, overcooking the meatloaf will dry it out, giving it a crumbly texture that falls apart when sliced. Finally, always let your meatloaf rest for about 10 minutes before slicing it to allow everything to properly bind and the juices to redistribute.
Try This Mini Bacon Wrapped Smoked Meatloaf Recipe
These bacon wrapped smoked mini meatloaf recipe use ingredients like Cheez-Its in place of breadcrumbs, and BBQ sauce for more flavor. Then, it’s wrapped with a strip of bacon, slathered in BBQ sauce, and smoked! Oh yeah, it’s also easy to make. That’s a winning combination, if I ever heard of one. Everyone I know loves this recipe, and I think you will, too. Give it a try, and get ready to fall in love!
More Delicious Meatloaf Recipes You’ll Enjoy
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Bacon Wrapped Smoked Mini Meatloaf
Ingredients
Meatloaf
- 2 pounds ground beef
- 2 large eggs
- 1 cup crushed cheez-its
- 3 tablespoons barbecue sauce
- 3 tablespoon ketchup
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 2 teaspoons Slap Ya Mama seasoning
- 2 teaspoons granulated garlic
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
Topping
- 1 cup barbecue sauce
Instructions
- Preheat the smoker at 275 degrees. Line a baking sheet with aluminum foil and place a wire rack on top of the baking sheet. Set aside.
Meatloaf
- In a large bowl, mix all ingredients except the topping ingredient.
- Shape into 2-inch oblong meatloaves.
- Wrap a piece of bacon around each mini meatloaf and place on the prepared baking sheet and rack. Secure each one with two toothpicks to keep the bacon in place.
Topping
- Top with barbecue sauce, and halfway through, turn each one over and spread additional barbecue sauce over the loaves.
- Smoke for approximately 2 hours, or until the internal temperature is 165, and the bacon is crispy.
Notes
- It’s important to place your meatloaves on a wire rack so the smoke and heat can circulate around them evenly.
- The easiest way to mix your meatloaf is with clean hands.
- It’s important not to overmix the meatloaf ingredients. Mix until everything is combined, and then stop. Overmixing will make the mixture toughen as it cooks.
Nutrition
Ellen
Is there any way you could cook this in the oven if you don’t have a smoker?
Hi Terry,
Yes, you definitely can cook these in the oven. Place them on a baking sheet like the directions say for the smoker. Place in a 400 degree oven and baked for 30-35 minutes or until the bacon is crispy and the meatloaf is cooked thoroughly. I hope you enjoy these as much as we do. :)
Thanks so much for your prompt reply. Can’t wait to try them. Glad I found your site. Thanks again!
Thank you so much, Terry! I am glad you found the site too. ;)