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I’ve made this air fryer meatloaf recipe so many times! It is so moist and full of flavor, and the air fryer cooks this classic comfort food in less than 30 minutes!
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Easy Air Fryer Meatloaf Recipe
Busy weeknights can be exhausting, but that doesn’t mean you have to miss out on a delicious meal. This recipe makes an amazing meatloaf without the need for loaf pans and requires very little prep time.
This recipe only requires a few simple ingredients and it easy to make. You just need ground beef, garlic, onion, breadcrumbs, egg, salt, pepper, and your favorite seasonings!
Meatloaf is always a dinner favorite and leftover meatloaf is great for next day lunch or for making meatloaf sandwiches.
Ingredients You Need
- ground beef- For less grease, use lean ground meat, or ground turkey.
- breadcrumbs- Regular or Italian seasoned breadcrumbs help bind the meat during cooking.
- egg- Helps bind ingredients, while keeping the meatloaf tender and juicy.
- milk- Adds moisture to the meat, giving it tenderness.
- yellow onion, chopped- Adds flavor and texture.
- garlic clove, minced- Or substitute with garlic powder.
- kosher salt- Enhances the overall flavor.
- ground black pepper- Adds a light warmth to the flavor.
Meatloaf Glaze Ingredients
- 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce- Enhances the depth of flavor.
- ¼ cup ketchup- Or substitute with tomato sauce.
- 1 tablespoon mustard- Adds a tangy flavor.
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar- Balances out the acidity.
Recipe Variations
- Types of Meat- Swap ground beef with sausage, poultry, or even seafood.
- Sauces- Try buffalo sauce, chili sauce, or a dash of hot sauce for a unique spicy glaze.
- Cheesy Meatloaf- Top with shredded cheddar or Parmesan cheese for a cheesy addition to dinner.
- Lean Meatloaf- Use ground chicken, turkey, or pork for a healthier version.
- Seasonings- Add onion powder, extra garlic, or an extra ½ cup of ketchup for more flavor.
- Vegetables- Mix in mushrooms or bell peppers for added texture.
Are you new to air fryers? If you are, we have a great article about What is an Air Fryer. It talks about what you can make, how to use it, and more.
How to Make Air Fryer Meatloaf
STEP 1: In a large bowl, combine the ground beef, bread crumbs, egg, milk, onion, and seasonings. Stir until well mixed.
STEP 2: Shape the mixture into a loaf and place it in the air fryer basket. Air fry at 380°F (193°C) for 16-18 minutes, until the internal temperature reaches 160°F (71°C).
STEP 3: While you cook meatloaf, mix the glaze ingredients in a medium bowl until well combined.
STEP 4: Once the meatloaf is done, remove the basket from the air fryer and brush the glaze over the top of the loaf. Return basket to the air fryer and cook for an additional 2-3 minutes.
STEP 4
Once the meatloaf is done cooking, remove basket from air fryer and brush sauce on top of the entire loaf. Return meatloaf to air fryer oven and cook again at 380 degrees F for an additional 2-3 minutes cooking time.
Here are a few of our FAVORITE recommendations.
Cosori Dual Blaze Air Fryer – Digital Meat Thermometer – Air Fryer All Day
Tips for Making the Best Meatloaf
- Cover with foil: If the top darkens too quickly, place a sheet of foil over the meatloaf. Be sure to tuck the foil under so it doesn’t catch in the fan.
- Let it rest: Allow meatloaf to sit for 3-5 minutes before slicing for juicier results.
- Extra sauce: Add 2-3 extra tablespoons of ketchup to the glaze for a saucier finish.
- Mini Meatloaves: Shape the mixture into mini loaves for faster cooking.
- Adjust Cooking Time: If using less than 1 pound or more than 2 pounds of meat, adjust the cooking time accordingly. Use an instant read thermometer to check doneness.
Side Dishes to Serve with Meatloaf
If your family loves a traditional meat-and-potatoes dinner, pair this meatloaf with your favorite air fryer side dishes like roasted potatoes, green beans, or mac and cheese!
This Air Fryer Meatloaf is a quick, delicious, and foolproof dinner option. Try it out and let us know how it turns out!
Want to try a unique way to make this recipe? Check out this Italian Loaf Recipe!
Side Dishes
Air Fryer Twice Baked Potatoes
Side Dishes
Air Fryer Roasted Potatoes
Side Dishes
Air Fryer Hasselback Potatoes
Air Fryer Recipes
Cheesy Air Fryer Scalloped Potatoes
In order to make sure the meatloaf has reached the perfect temperature, use a meat thermometer to confirm internal temperature reaches 160 degrees F, which is the safe temperature for ground beef.
I have used air fryer parchment paper in the air fryer for cooking meatloaf. This helps with clean up, but also to prevents any pieces of the meatloaf from sticking. Alternatively, you can also line the basket with foil, or spray with non stick cooking spray.
I did not preheat my air fryer when I made this amazing meatloaf. If your air fryer automatically preheats, you can just adjust the cooking time by a few minutes.
Wrap slices in plastic wrap, aluminum foil, or store in an airtight container for up to 3-4 days. To reheat, place a slice in the air fryer and air fry at 350 degrees F (177 degrees C) for 3-5 minutes.
MORE GROUND BEEF AIR FRYER RECIPES
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Making air fryer meatloaf is the perfect comfort food. You are going to love this recipe!
Air Fryer Meatloaf
Equipment
- 1 Air Fryer
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 pounds ground beef
- 1 cup bread crumbs
- 1 large egg
- 2/3 cup milk
- 1/2 medium onion, chopped
- 1 garlic clove, minced
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon pepper
Meatloaf Sauce
- 1/2 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.
Notes
- If top of meatloaf is darkening before it is done cooking, place a sheet of foil over meatloaf to prevent the top burning.
- Let the meatloaf rest in it’s juices for 3-5 minutes after cooking.
- Depending on how thick the loaf is, the cooking time may need to be adjusted by a few minutes.
- Add an additional 2-3 tablespoons ketchup to the tangy glaze for extra sauce.
- For easy servings or meal prep, shape into mini meat loaves. Air frying time will be lower for smaller loaves.
- If using less than a pound of ground beef or more than 2 pounds of ground beef, cooking times may need to be adjusted, so using an instant-read thermometer to check it’s internal temperature, will confirm doneness.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Hi, I just found your recipe for the air fryer meatloaf. Can I use a loaf pan in the air fryer? We have the nuwave XL air fryer.
You can use the pan. I am guessing it will take a bit longer to cook the bottom of the meatloaf. I just shaped mine into a loaf, and then put it in the air fryer that way.
I think this was the best meat loaf I ever made. I tweaked the
recipe just a tad and added a meatloaf seasoning packet (if using one, don’t add the salt to the meat) I think the glaze was the best part. And I added fried onions that you can get in a can to the top of the glaze for the last few minutes in the oven. Delicious. Thank you for the recipe.
Thank you! So glad you liked it! And fried onions are my favorite! I may have to try that!
Can I use a silicone basket to cook my meatloaf in?
Absolutely. I shaped mine and placed it directly in the basket. You may need to add a minute or two to the cook time if using silicone basket.
Looks great, however 16 minutes cooking time is not fully accurate. You need to double this to attain 160 internal temperature especially if meat was maintained and taken from the refrigerator. Thank you for the recipe.
So this was correct in our air fryer, it could be the brand of air fryer you using. They all cook a little differently!
had to triple the time in my airfryer to reach 160 degrees internal temp… Have a Phillips airfryer and my first thought after looking at the recipe time was, it doesnt seem possible. In my case, it was not.
We definitely try and make a point in all of the recipes to let you know we use a Cosori air fryer, so if you are using a different air fryer, you will definitely need to adjust the cook time as all air fryers cook a little differently. In your case, now you know you should use extra time to ensure foods are cooked through. 🙂
In my experience making this in the air fryer it probably took about 20 min longer than the recommended time I wrapped the entire meatloaf in foil about half way through because it started to cook on the outside a bit too fast, I re-coated with the ketchup sauce a couple times and ended up with a very nice crunchy crust. Overall it was one of my favorite meatloaf recipes!
Love a great taste of the meat loaf thank you for your sharing ..help ????
I have two air fryers that I haven’t used because I didn’t know how to use them, one is like a toaster oven the other one is a big one. I just recently found your website and you make it look so easy. Love your recipes! Thanks!
Thank you! So glad you found us!
Can you use regular parchment paper?
Hi Caryn,
I have used regular parchment paper, but then poked holes in it to keep the air flow moving.
Looks yummy! Think I’ll have to try this.
We made this for Sunday dinner and would give it 10+ stars if we could! Even though we left out 100% of the salt and used reduced salt & sugar products to make the sauce, it still had 100% more flavor than any other meatloaf recipe. Simple salt-free smashed potatoes whipped with a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil completed this diner-worthy dish. Many thanks!
Yay! I am so glad you love it as much as we do. Thank you so much for leaving such a beautiful comment. It makes our day when we make our readers happy. 🙂