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Graham Cracker Meatloaf

by Kristen

Your family will love the taste of this sweet meatloaf recipe! This meatloaf recipe calls for Graham crackers as the filler. This result is a sweet meatloaf that is also super moist and fluffy! This is an easy hand-off recipe,  I have added oven, Instant Pot, and slow cooker instructions for you.  I have spent years perfecting my sweet meatloaf glaze. If you have leftovers, you might want to make meatloaf sandwiches for lunch the next day, although you may not have any!

My aunt has a fantastic ham ball recipe where she uses graham crackers as the filler. Graham crackers aren’t just for dessert!   It gave me the idea to use graham crackers as the filler ingredient instead of oatmeal, crushed saltine crackers, or bread crumbs in a classic meatloaf recipe instead of breadcrumbs. This meatloaf is traditional comfort food, sweet, savory, and kid-friendly!

Ingredients Needed 

1 pound of lean ground beef

1 cup of crushed graham crackers

One egg

1/2 cup of milk

1/3 cup of chopped onion

Meatloaf Glaze 

1/2 cup of ketchup

Two tablespoons of brown sugar

One tablespoon of Worcestershire sauce

Equipment Needed

One slow cooker or baking dish or loaf pan if cooking in the oven

One large bowl for mixing up the meatloaf mixture

freezer bags and a rolling pin so you can crush the graham crackers.

Optional Ingredients: You can replace the ground beef with ground turkey, ground pork, or ground chicken. You can also add more spices and salt and pepper or mustard to your meatloaf if you like.

Note: If you want to make this meatloaf gluten-free, you can use gluten-free graham crackers.

Side Dishes that taste great with this meatloaf 

Mashed Potatoes 

Minted Carrots

Broccoli Salad 

This meatloaf turns out perfectly moist each time! This is the best meatloaf! This meatloaf is such a classic comfort food!

5 from 1 vote
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Slow Cooker Graham Cracker Meatloaf

Your family will love the taste of this sweet meatloaf recipe! This meatloaf recipe calls for Graham crackers as the filler. This result is a sweet meatloaf that is also super moist and fluffy!

Ingredients

  • 1 pound lean ground beef
  • 1 cup crushed graham crackers
  • 1 egg
  • 1/2 cup milk
  • 1/3 chopped onion

Meatloaf Glaze

  • 1/2 cup ketchup
  • 2 tablespoon brown sugar
  • 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce

Instructions

  1. In a medium mixing bowl,  mix the ingredients for a meatloaf just like you would if you were baking one in the oven: ground beef, graham crackers, egg, milk, and onion

  2. Form a loaf and place it in your slow cooker.  You can double the recipe if you want to make two loaves as I did.

  3. Make the glaze in a separate bowl.  Add the glaze on top before you start slow cooking.

  4. Slowly cook the meatloaf for 5-6 hours on low

  5. Serve

Instant Pot Instructions

  1. In a medium mixing bowl,  mix the ingredients for a meatloaf just like you would if you were baking one in the oven: ground beef, graham crackers, egg, milk, and onion

  2. Place the meat on two pieces of aluminum foil and shape it into a round loaf that will fit inside your instant pot.

  3. Fold the sides of the aluminum foil up to make a nest for the meatloaf

  4. Add one cup of water to the bottom of the instant pot, followed by a wire trivet, and then place the meatloaf on top.

  5. Secure lid and set the pressure release valve to "sealing"

  6. Cook on high pressure for 25 minutes. Let the pressure naturally release for 10 minutes.

  7. Spoon the glaze over the meatloaf once you remove it from your instant pot

If you like this meatloaf, you should check out my other slow cooker meatloaf recipes.

Slow Cooker Pork Meatloaf 

Slow Cooker Turkey Parmesan Meatloaf 

Slow Cooker Greek Meatloaf 

Slow Cooker Italian Meatball 

In my opinion, slow-cooking meatloaf is the best way to cook a meatloaf. I recommend using a meat thermometer to make sure your meatloaf cooks to at least 160 degrees Fahrenheit.

When one thinks of making meatloaf for dinner, I don’t believe that counting calories are the first thing on our mind. this recipe meets daily protein requirements and will be low in cholesterol as long as you use lean meat. There will most certainly be carbohydrates in this meatloaf. Still, I advise that instead of dwelling on the nutritional information or sodium or fiber, you serve this meatloaf alongside vegetables for a well-balanced meal.

If you make this meatloaf, please let make know! Tag me on social media or comment below! You can find me on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Instagram, or Tiktok.

 

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8 comments

Joan February 5, 2023 - 10:13 pm

5 stars
Different but in a good way

 
Kristen February 6, 2023 - 1:15 am

Thanks?

 
Eren Moore June 14, 2022 - 3:00 pm

Can this recipe be doubled? If so would the instant pot cook times remain the same?

Can’t wait to try it tonight!

 
Kristen June 14, 2022 - 8:20 pm

recipe can be doubled, assuming it can fit. I would add a few more minutes. since the meatloaf is essentially being steamed when it’s cooking on the trivet, it won’t burn.

 
Chris David April 6, 2022 - 4:25 am

Great recipe and really a nice one. Will surely try this

 
Cindy March 30, 2022 - 1:08 pm

I would like to make this but you didn’t give an oven temperature

 
Kristen March 30, 2022 - 2:04 pm

350

 
SmilynStef January 15, 2022 - 10:48 pm

I use graham cracker crumbs for my ham loaf, but never thought about trying it for beef … sounds yummy.

 

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