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Air Fryer Turkey Meatloaf is a juicy, flavorful, and healthier take on classic comfort food, ready in under 30 minutes and topped with a sweet, tangy glaze. It’s perfect for a quick weeknight dinner or Sunday meal prep.
Serve this ground turkey turkey meatloaf with a side of air fryer green beans and air fried twice baked potatoes to make a complete meal.
Quick Look At This Recipe
✨ Flavor: Sweet, savory, tangy, and moist.
⏱️ Prep time: 10 minutes.
🔥 Cook time: 25 minutes cooking time, 10 minutes rest time.
⏲️ Total time: 45 minutes.
👥 Servings: 4-6 servings.
🥄 Tools: air fryer, bowls, parchment paper, basting brush.
❄️ Freezer friendly: Yes! Wrap cooled sliced in freezer storage bags and store in the freezer for up to 3 months.
👩🏻🍳 Tip: Use parchment paper or foil to make cleanup easy and to prevent sticking.
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Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Healthy: Made with lean ground turkey for a protein packed dinner.
- Quick: No oven needed! A quick and easy dinner with a 25 minute cooking time.
- Classic: The sweet and savory ketchup based glaze brings everything together.
Table of Contents
Reader comment: “A delicious and healthy twist on a classic meal.“
This high-protein dinner is made with pantry staples and lean ground turkey, then cooked to perfection in the air fryer for a crispy outer crust and tender interior without turning on the oven.
Recipe Ingredients
- ground turkey: lean, protein-rich base
- saltine crackers: helps bind and add texture
- yellow onion, minced: adds moisture and flavor
- green bell pepper, diced small: sweet veggie crunch
- garlic clove, minced: aromatic depth
- milk: keeps it moist and tender
- egg: binds ingredients together
- ketchup: adds flavor and moisture
For the complete list of ingredients, jump to the recipe card below for the measurements and instructions.
Variations
- Add parsley for extra flavor, and add finely chopped zucchini as a hidden veggie that adds more moisture.
How to Make Turkey Meatloaf in the Air Fryer
- Preheat the air fryer to 350°F (175°C) for 3 minutes. In a large bowl, combine the ground turkey, crushed saltines, onion, bell pepper, garlic, milk, egg, ketchup, Worcestershire sauce, and black pepper. Mix just until combined. Avoid overmixing to keep it tender.
- Form the mixture into a loaf roughly 6 inches long, 3–4 inches wide, and 2 inches tall. Sprinkle the 3 Tablespoons of light-packed brown sugar on the bottom of the meatloaf, covering it evenly. Air fry at 350°F (175°C) for 20 minutes.
- In a small bowl, whisk together the ketchup, brown sugar, and Worcestershire sauce for the glaze.
- After 20 minutes of cooking time, carefully remove the basket and brush the top and sides with half the glaze. Return to the air fryer and cook for 5 more minutes.
- Remove from the air fryer and brush with the remaining glaze. Let the meatloaf rest for 10 minutes before slicing to allow juices to redistribute.
Tips
- Use a meat thermometer to make sure the meatloaf is cooked in the center to the recommended internal temperature of 165 °F for turkey.
- Don’t overmix the meat mixture; it can lead to a dense texture.
- Use parchment paper or foil to make cleanup easy and prevent sticking.
- Shape the loaf evenly to ensure even cooking throughout.
Storage and Reheating
- Refrigerator: Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
- Freezer: Wrap cooled slices in foil and freeze for up to 3 months.
- Reheat: Air fry at 350°F (175°C) for 4–6 minutes, or microwave until heated through.
Recipe FAQs
Yes! You can use ⅔ cup of plain or seasoned breadcrumbs as a substitute.
Use an instant-read thermometer. According to the FDA, it’s done when it reaches 165°F (74°C) in the center.
Definitely. Divide the mixture into smaller loaves and reduce the cook time to 10–12 minutes before glazing.
Yes, mix and shape the loaf up to 24 hours ahead and store it covered in the refrigerator.
Classic sides include mashed potatoes, green beans, roasted carrots, or a side salad.
This is one of my favorite classic, hearty, savory, and healthy meals. I hope you enjoy it as much as my family does.
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Air Fryer Turkey Meatloaf
Equipment
- 1 Air Fryer
Ingredients
Turkey Meatloaf
- 1 1/2 pounds lean ground turkey
- 2/3 cup saltine crackers, crushed
- 1/2 cup yellow onion, minced
- 1/2 cup green bell pepper, diced small
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- 1/2 cup milk
- 1 large egg
- 2 teaspoons ketchup
- 2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
- 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 3 Tablespoons light brown sugar
Turkey Meatloaf Glaze
- 1/2 cup ketchup
- 2 Tablespoons light brown sugar, packed
- 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
Instructions
- Preheat the air fryer to 350°F (175°C). In a bowl, combine ground turkey, crushed saltine crackers, minced onion, diced green pepper, garlic, milk, egg, ketchup, Worcestershire sauce, and ground black pepper. Mix just until combined to avoid toughness.
- Form the mixture into a loaf roughly 6 inches long, 3–4 inches wide, and 2 inches tall. Sprinkle the 3 Tablespoons of light-packed brown sugar on the bottom of the meatloaf, covering it evenly.
- Line the air fryer basket with parchment paper. Carefully place the loaf into the basket, sugar-side down. Air fry at 350°F (175°C) for 20 minutes.
- In a small bowl, whisk together the ketchup, brown sugar, and Worcestershire sauce.
- After 20 minutes, carefully remove the basket and brush the top and sides with half the glaze. Return to the air fryer and cook for 5 more minutes.
- Remove from the air fryer and brush with the remaining glaze. Let the meatloaf rest for 10 minutes before slicing to allow juices to redistribute.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Can you tell me the approximate measurements in Cup size for the Onion and Green Pepper?
Yes! It is a half cup of each. I edited the recipe card to reflect that so it’s less confusing. Hope that helps!
This air fryer turkey meatloaf is savory and delicious!