Buffalo Chicken Meatloaf Cupcakes with Mashed Potato Frosting
Spicy buffalo chicken meatloaf cupcakes, topped off with smooth mashed potato frosting and pea sprinkles. A perfect meal for April Fools’ Day.
Last year I got it in my head that I wanted to make savory cupcakes for April Fools’ Day, only I forgot. The days just slipped by and before I knew it, I had to save the idea for another year. Thankfully I remembered in plenty of time this year. It’s hard to believe that April 1st aka April Fools’ Day is a week away! How is that even possible? I’m certainly not complaining, because it means summer will be here practically tomorrow but I’d still love for time to slow down a bit.
In any case, so I doubt these would really fool anyone, but they were so much fun to make. And if you have meatloaf or even specifically, buffalo sauce fans, in your life then you should absolutely make these. My original plan was to stick with basic meatloaf and mashed potatoes, but then I got it in my head that it had to be of the buffalo sauce variety for some reason.
It worked and is totally necessary. The meatloaves are a mixture of chicken and hot Italian sausage, but you can use sweet Italian if you prefer. Lots of standard buffalo chicken flavor mixed in as well from celery to blue cheese and of course buffalo sauce.
The potatoes are simple and toned down from what I usually make. I normally make super buttery potatoes that are just ridiculously creamy and delicious. I knew I needed them to be a bit simpler so not to out shine the rest of the dish. Hey, it’s totally possible when we’re talking about buttery potatoes.
Top these off with a drizzle of buffalo sauce or mini pea ‘sprinkles’. Either is a perfect and delicious option for this savory maybe not so April Fools’ dish. But I promise, if you make these for someone special in your life, even if they aren’t fooled… they’ll still totally love them and want more!
Buffalo Chicken Meatloaf Cupcakes with Mashed Potato Frosting
Ingredients
Meatloaf ingredients:
- 1/2 C yellow onion, chopped
- 1/2 C celery, chopped
- 1/4 C green bell pepper, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 Tbsp unsalted butter
- 1 lb ground chicken
- 1/2 lb Italian sausage, casings removed
- 1 C seasoned breadcrumbs
- 3/4 C milk
- 2 large eggs
- 1/4 C blue cheese crumbles
- 1/4 C Parmesan cheese
- 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes, optional
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp ground black pepper
- 2 Tbsp buffalo sauce
Mashed Potatoes:
- 2 lb potatoes, peeled and cubed
- 1 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/2-3/4 C milk
- 5 Tbsp unsalted butter
- Mini peas for 'sprinkles', if desired
Instructions
- For the meatloaf cupcakes:
- Preheat oven to 375°F. Grease a 12-cup muffin pan with olive oil.
- In a medium skillet over medium heat, saute vegetables until tender. Transfer to a large bowl with remaining meatloaf ingredients. Combine with your hands. Divide among greased muffin cavities using a large cookie scoop. Press down on meatloaf mixture to flatten down.
- Bake for 35-40 minutes or until the internal temperature reaches at least 160°F.
- For the mashed potato frosting: Peel and cube 2lb potatoes. Cook in a large pot of water until fork tender. Use a potato rice for extra smooth potatoes, followed by beating the potatoes in a large bowl or stand mixer with butter and salt. Slowly add milk until a smooth but spreadable consistency is reached.
- If not using immediately, cover well and reheat prior to serving.
- To assemble: Add warm mashed potatoes to a large plastic bag of piping bag fit with a large icing tip. Pipe potatoes onto meatloaf cupcakes. Drizzle with buffalo sauce or add peas for sprinkles.
- Serve warm.
Notes
Try these other buffalo recipes:
Promise me you’ll make these again when I move to NH? :) Such a fun idea, who could resist these cupcakes?
Of course! Move on up ;)
Best way to serve up meatloaf ever!
I have no words for these. Simply genius, my friend. I love it!
Those have got to be the worlds best muffins!! I mean Buffalo anything is just so good! I can not wait to make these!
These are genius! And I love the pea “sprinkles” = too cute! I’d gobble these up right now – they look SO good to me.
Get OUT. Love this!
I’m simultaneously drooling and grossed out by a “meatloaf “cupcake”. Awesome April Fool’s idea ;)
lol they’re only gross if you bite into them really expecting a regular cupcake, otherwise they’re delicious! :)
This look insane, in a GOOD way! Yum!!
that frosting! I love these so much Rachel. Pretty sure Kevin will beg me to make them as soon as I show him – he gets tired of my sweets. I know… WHO is he?! The pea “sprinkles” omg I love you.
Tired of sweets?! Has he bumped his head recently? ;)
gah these look amazing. My mouth is watering here. Love it!
these are toooo funny! at first i was like, waitt what? but theyre such a good idea for april fools day!
I am absolutely positively in love with buffalo chicken meatballs. But these? Topped with creamy potatoes? I don’t even have words.
Haha this is the best ever! I love that perfect mashed potato frosting! So awesome, but Ill make sure to warn people before they bite into one ;)
Yes – cold would be weird ;)
I can’t figure out from the instructions how to “tag” a recipe on the recipe file with you. HELP!?!?! Thanks
I’m not sure what you’re asking.
You’re an evil genius.
Rachel, this is a brilliant idea! Love the fondant/buttercream style mashed potatoes, I definitely want to replicate your recipe! Gorgeous blog, by the way. This is my first visit and it’s completely inspiring. Beautiful photos also. Thanks x
Thank you and I hope you enjoy it if you try it. :)
Cool idea and looks and sounds wonderful! Great site too.
Thank you :)
Ha! I love the creativity that went into this! They’re so cute and perfect to get those little ones to eat cause they’re cute and tiny :) I’d go for the first one (slathered in buffalo sauce) cause i’m not a fan of peas, I know, I’m picky lol
I don’t know what you’re talking about – those aren’t peas, they’re sprinkles lol ;)
First time I have seen a savory cupcake. I love it, especially the peas on top. So cute!
These little meatloaf cupcakes are a great idea for April Fools Day or any day really! The perfect of swirl of mashed potatoes on top makes me love them even more.
Haha this is a perfect prank, so clever! Only partially mean since after the first shocking bite they get a savory treat to make up for it :)
I would love to serve these to ben for April Fool’s Day! How fun!!!
These are adorbs! I need to branch out to some more savory- some crazy people don’t like sweets as much as me!
This is so creative! I would never ever think of this!
I love this!! I really wouldn’t mind popping a few for lunch!
Wow… just wow. I have hearts in my eyes!!
I have always wished there were more reviews of the actual recipes in cooking blogs after many a beautifully photographed but bland dinner. Well here’s one! This recipe is AWESOME. I made it just as listed, but I’ll play with things like almond flour instead of breadcrumbs in the future – because I’ll definitely be making it again! Thanks for the recipe, Rachel!
Thank you so much for sharing! I’m glad you enjoyed them so much! :)