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This Air Fryer Meatloaf is one of those go-to dinners that’s easy to prep, full of flavor, and comes out juicy every time. It’s the perfect weeknight recipe when you want something hearty without turning on the oven.
Looking for a leaner version that’s high in protein? Try our air fryer turkey meatloaf, with 30 grams of protein per serving.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Reader Review
“I think this was the best meat loaf I ever made. I think the glaze was the best part. Delicious. Thank you for the recipe.”
-Lisa
Quick Look At This Recipe
- ✨ Flavor: Classic, cozy meatloaf with a sweet-savory glaze and a tender, juicy texture.
- ⏱️ Prep time: 10 minutes
- 🔥 Cook time: 19 minutes
- ⏲️ Total time: 29 minutes
- 👥 Servings: 4
- 🥄 Tools: Air fryer, mixing bowl, parchment or foil, and an instant-read thermometer
- ❄️ Freezer-friendly: Freeze the cooked meatloaf (whole or sliced) for up to 3 months; thaw overnight and reheat in the air fryer.
- 👩🏻🍳 Tip: Shape the loaf no more than 2 inches thick for even cooking, and always check the center with a thermometer for perfect results every time.
SUMMARIZE AND SAVE THIS CONTENT ON
This classic meatloaf recipe gets a modern twist in the air fryer. It cooks up faster with a caramelized glaze on top, and stays super moist inside. Never have dry meatloaf again, just simple ingredients and big flavor!
For more delicious air fryer beef recipes, try our air fryer hamburgers and air-fried meatballs! Either one pairs well with a wide variety of side dishes, such as these easy roasted potatoes or this simple beet and kale salad.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Quick-cooking comfort food: Enjoy classic, oven-style meatloaf flavor in a fraction of the time thanks to the air fryer’s steady, direct heat.
- Beginner-friendly method: No special pan or shaping trick required.
- Great for meal prep: Leftovers reheat beautifully in the air fryer, so you get the same fresh-from-the-oven feel the next day.
- Versatile: Pair this meatloaf with easy air fryer sides like air fryer green beans, air fryer baked potatoes, or air fryer Brussels sprouts for a complete meal that’s both quick and satisfying.
Ingredients You Need
- Ground Beef: An 80/20 blend (80% lean, 20% fat) is ideal for air fryer meatloaf. It has enough fat to keep the loaf juicy and flavorful without creating excess grease or causing the air fryer to smoke. Leaner blends tend to dry out, while higher-fat mixes can lead to splattering and uneven cooking. For more ground beef recipes, try these air fryer stuffed peppers.
- Breadcrumbs: Breadcrumbs soak up the milk and juices, creating a soft, uniform mixture that stays moist while giving the meatloaf structure. They help prevent the loaf from becoming dense or tough. You can use regular or Italian seasoned breadcrumbs. You can swap these for gluten-free breadcrumbs to keep it allergy-friendly.
- Egg: The egg acts as a binder, helping the meat, breadcrumbs, and seasonings hold together so the loaf slices cleanly without crumbling.
- Milk: Milk hydrates the breadcrumbs so they soften and swell, creating a tender, moist texture throughout the meatloaf. This keeps your meatloaf from becoming dense or dry as it cooks.
- Glaze: Ketchup gives the glaze its classic sticky finish, while Worcestershire sauce adds savory depth. Mustard brings a little tang to brighten everything up, and brown sugar balances the acidity with a touch of sweetness. For a less sweet glaze, you can swap the ketchup for tomato sauce instead.
A full list of ingredients is included in the recipe card below.
Recipe Variations
- Types of Meat: Swap half of the ground beef for sausage or ground pork, or you can even use a beef-and-pork blend to change up the flavor.
- Spicy Kick: Give the glaze a twist with some chili sauce or a splash of hot sauce for a spicy kick.
- BBQ Meatloaf: Swap the ketchup glaze for your favorite BBQ sauce for a smokier, more robust flavor. This one is always a hit with kids.
- Cheesy Meatloaf: Add shredded cheddar or Parmesan on top for a melty, cheesy finish.
- Lean Meatloaf: Use ground chicken, turkey, or pork if you want a lighter version that still tastes great.
- Add Vegetables: Stir in finely chopped mushrooms or bell peppers for extra moisture, flavor, and texture.
- Low-Carb/Keto Meatloaf: Replace breadcrumbs with crushed pork rinds and reduce the brown sugar in the glaze or use a sugar-free substitute.
How to Make Air Fryer Meatloaf
Grab your air fryer and ingredients, and let’s make a classic American meatloaf! I’m using a 5.8L Cosori basket-style air fryer, but you can easily adjust the timing for your model.
Oven-style air fryers may cook a bit faster, while smaller baskets may need an extra minute or two, so keep an eye on doneness and use a thermometer for the best results.
- Combine the ground beef, bread crumbs, egg, milk, onion, and seasonings in a large bowl and stir until well mixed.
- Shape the mixture into a loaf and place it in the air fryer basket. Air fry at 380° F for 16-18 minutes, until the internal temperature reaches 160 degrees F.
- Mix the glaze ingredients in a medium bowl until well combined.
- Remove the basket from the air fryer and brush the glaze over the top of the loaf. Return it to the air fryer and cook for an additional 2-3 minutes. Let it rest and then slice and serve with air-fried red potatoes.
Recipe Tips
- Cover if needed: If the top starts to brown too quickly, loosely cover the meatloaf with foil. Tuck the edges underneath so the fan doesn’t blow it around.
- Let it rest: Just like a juicy air fryer ribeye steak, allow the meatloaf to rest for 3–5 minutes before slicing. This helps the juices settle and keeps the slices from falling apart.
- Use liner options: Air fryer parchment works great for easy cleanup and prevents sticking. You can also line the basket with foil or simply spray it with nonstick cooking spray.
- Make it saucy: If you love extra glaze, stir in 2–3 more tablespoons of ketchup for a richer, saucier finish.
- Preheating notes: This recipe was tested without preheating. If your air fryer auto-preheats, just reduce the cook time by a few minutes to compensate.
- Storing: Wrap leftover slices in plastic wrap, aluminum foil, or store in an airtight container for up to 3-4 days in the refrigerator or up to 3 months in the freezer.
If your family loves a traditional meat-and-potatoes dinner, pair this meatloaf with your favorite air fryer side dishes like air fryer roasted potatoes and air fryer mac and cheese!
Air Fryer Meatloaf Recipe FAQ’S
Use a meat thermometer to check the center of the loaf. It should read 160°F, which is the safe internal temperature for ground beef. Make sure you insert the thermometer into the thickest part of the meatloaf. Once it hits 160°F, pull it from the air fryer, add the glaze, cook again, and then let it rest for a few minutes before slicing.
The air fryer is the quickest way to reheat meatloaf without drying it out. Place a slice in the basket and heat at 350°F (177°C) for 3–5 minutes, or until it’s warmed through. Thicker slices may need an extra minute. For multiple slices, arrange them in a single layer so the hot air can circulate evenly. If the meatloaf seems a little dry, brush on a thin layer of ketchup or glaze before reheating to bring back some moisture.
Yes! Mini meatloaves cook quickly and are great for portion control. Shape the mixture into 4–6 small loaves, each about 2 inches thick, and place them in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Air fry at 380°F for 8–12 minutes, depending on their size, then add the glaze and cook for an additional 1–2 minutes until it caramelizes. As always, check that the internal temperature reaches 160°F before serving. Mini loaves also freeze and reheat beautifully, making them perfect for meal prep.
The cook time will change depending on the size of your meatloaf. If you’re using less than 1 pound, the loaf will cook faster, so start checking for doneness a few minutes early. For a larger 2-pound loaf, expect it to take several minutes longer. No matter the size, the most reliable way to know it’s done is to use an instant-read thermometer. The center of the meatloaf should reach 160°F, which ensures it’s fully cooked and safe to eat.
More Air Fryer Ground Beef Dinners
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Air Fryer Meatloaf
Equipment
- 1 Air Fryer
Ingredients
- 1 ½ pounds ground beef
- 1 cup bread crumbs
- 1 large egg
- ⅔ cup milk
- ½ medium onion, chopped
- 1 garlic clove, minced
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon pepper
Meatloaf Sauce
- ½ cup ketchup
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon mustard
- 1 teaspoon Worcestershire Sauce
Instructions
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the ground beef, bread crumbs, egg, milk, onion, and seasonings. Stir together until the ingredients are well mixed and onion and seasonings are evenly distributed throughout the ground beef.
- Shape the meatloaf into a loaf and place on top of a piece of air fryer parchment paper or small pan or tray. Air fry at 380 degrees F for 16-18 minutes.
- While the meatloaf is cooking, in a small bowl, combine the ketchup, brown sugar, mustard and Worcestershire Sauce. Stir together until well combined.
- Once the meatloaf is done cooking, open basket, and brush sauce on top. Return basket to air fryer and air fry at 380 degrees F for an additional 2-3 minutes.
Video
Notes
- Cover if needed: If the top browns too quickly, loosely cover the meatloaf with foil and tuck the edges under so it stays in place.
- Let it rest: Allow the meatloaf to rest for 3–5 minutes before slicing to keep the juices inside and the slices intact.
- Use a liner: Air fryer parchment makes cleanup easy and prevents sticking. You can also line the basket with foil or use nonstick cooking spray.
- Extra sauce: For a richer glaze, add 2–3 additional tablespoons of ketchup to the mixture.
- Preheating: This recipe was tested without preheating. If your air fryer auto-preheats, reduce the cook time by a few minutes.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Very easy to make.
I think so too! Glad you enjoyed it.
Love the glaze!! Thank you for your recipe!
So glad you loved it! ๐
I always thought air fryers were for frozen food but I gave in and bought the same one my son and daughter-in-law have. I searched air fryer recipes and came across your page, the air fryer I purchased is the smart cosori pro II 5.8 quart air fryer so you can imagine how stoked I was that you use the same!!! Thank you
Thanks Shell! We love our Cosori air fryers!