Air Fryer Meatloaf

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Air Fryer Meatloaf is perfectly seasoned and topped with a sweet and tangy glaze. Make this easy meatloaf recipe for dinner in under an hour!

titled collage for easy meat loaf recipe


 

Enjoy a comfort food meal without creating a pile of pots and pans to clean afterward. In fact, you can have the whole kitchen cleaned by the time dinner is on the table!

easy meatloaf recipe ingredients

Air Fryer Meatloaf Recipe

Don’t have an air fryer? I’ve got another easy meatloaf recipe for the oven that’s topped with a delicious balsamic glaze.

You can even convert that recipe into meatloaf meatballs for easy snacking!

Otherwise, use your air fryer to cook all of your favorites in minutes – like perfectly crisp chicken wings or tender, juicy steak.

air fry meatloaf

Meatloaf In Air Fryer Recipe Tips and Tricks

  • Choose a fattier blend. If your ground beef is too low fat, you will end up with a dry loaf. Aim for a fat content of at least 15%.
  • Don’t overmix! This is often the culprit for a dense, dry meatloaf. Combine the ingredients just until they are evenly distributed, then leave it alone.
  • Get a smooth surface. Dip your hands in warm water or coat them in a little bit of olive oil before shaping the air fryer meatloaf. 
  • When is it done? The easiest way to know for sure is by inserting a digital meat thermometer into the center.

    It should read around 165°F and no longer be pink in the center when sliced.
  • Let it rest. Wait 5 to 10 minutes before slicing so all of the juices have a chance to redistribute throughout the meat.
meatloaf recipe in basket of air fryer

Meatloaf In An Air Fryer Serving Suggestions

Whip up a batch of mashed potatoes to go with this meatloaf in air fryer recipe. Add a side of steamed veggies or toss in some cauliflower while the loaf is resting.

For a simple meal, pair it with some greens tossed in your favorite dressing or any one of my pasta salads.

meatloaf in air fryer with brown sugar glaze

Air Fryer Meatloaf Recipe FAQ

Can I use ground turkey to make lean meatloaf in air fryer?

Yes, you can. When I make it with ground turkey instead, I like to add the zest of one lemon to the mixture. It adds a really nice complementary flavor.

Can I substitute Panko breadcrumbs for the traditional ones?

Absolutely! Because this air fryer meatloaf recipe doesn’t have Italian seasoning, you may want to add about a teaspoon of that with the other spices.

I also recommend soaking the Panko in a quarter cup of milk so they don’t dry out the beef mixture too much.

Why don’t I need to air fry meatloaf in a pan?

Whether you are making meatloaf in an air fryer or the oven, skipping the pan allows the outside to crisp up and caramelize.

You can certainly air fry meatloaf in a mini loaf pan if you prefer. Test it first to be sure that it fits in your basket and use one with holes in the bottom for the fat to drain.

Enjoy!
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air fryer meatloaf on a cutting board

slices of air fryer meatloaf

Best Air Fryer Meatloaf (Easy 5 Minute Prep Recipe)

Donna Elick
Air Fryer Meatloaf is the perfect comfort food with a sweet, tangy glaze! This easy meatloaf recipe takes under an hour to make!
5 stars from 1 review
Tried this recipe?Please comment and review!
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 45 minutes
Total Time 50 minutes
Course Main
Cuisine American
Method Air Fryer
Servings 6

Ingredients
 

  • 2 pounds ground beef
  • 2 eggs
  • 1/2 cup Italian bread crumbs
  • 1/2 cup onions, diced
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, minced
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon pepper
  • 3/4 cup Ketchup
  • 2 tablespoon brown sugar
  • 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder

Instructions
 

  • In a large mixing bowl, combine the beef, eggs, bread crumbs, onions, garlic, parsley, salt, and pepper. Using your hand combine all the ingredients until they are all well combined.
  • Form the mixture into a loaf form that will fit into your air fryer basket.
  • Place the meatloaf into the air fryer and set it to 380°F for 30 minutes.
  • In a small mixing bowl, whisk together the ketchup, brown sugar, Worcestershire sauce, and garlic powder. Brush the ketchup mixture over the top of the meatloaf and set it for another 10-15 minutes until the loaf reaches an internal temperature of 165°F.
  • Allow the meat to rest for 5-10 minutes before slicing.

Nutrition

Serving: 1 | Calories: 115cal | Carbohydrates: 22g | Protein: 4g | Fat: 2g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 55mg | Sodium: 830mg | Sugar: 12g | Fiber: 1g | Calcium: 44mg | Iron: 1mg

All nutritional information is based on third party calculations and is only an estimate. Each recipe’s nutritional value will vary depending on the ingredients used, measuring methods, and portion sizes.

Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!
titled image collage for easy air fryer meatloaf

Originally published July 2021, updated and republished April 2023

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5 Comments

  1. Meatloaf without having the oven on during the summer is a big win. I did put some foil underneath mine and brought it up to cover the top for all but the last 10- 15 minutes. The foil also helped when I lifted the loaf out of the air fryer.

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