If you’re looking for a delicious and easy dinner idea, this Air Fryer Meatloaf recipe is a game-changer. Perfectly cooked in an air fryer, this meatloaf comes out juicy on the inside and perfectly caramelized on the outside. It’s a great option for busy weeknights when you want a home-cooked meal without spending hours in the kitchen.

Air Fryer Meatloaf

One of the best things about making meatloaf in the air fryer is how quickly it cooks compared to traditional oven-baking. The air fryer ensures an even cook and a beautifully browned crust, while the inside remains tender and flavorful. Plus, the air fryer minimizes the need for added oils, making this a slightly healthier alternative to classic meatloaf recipes.

This recipe is also incredibly versatile. You can easily customize the ingredients to suit your taste, adding in your favorite seasonings or swapping out the ground beef for turkey or chicken. The combination of Worcestershire sauce, onion, and garlic gives it a savory depth, while the glaze made from apple cider vinegar, brown sugar, and ketchup adds a tangy-sweet finish that is simply irresistible.

What You Will Love About This Recipe

There are several reasons someone will love this Air Fryer Meatloaf recipe. First and foremost, the air fryer significantly reduces cooking time while delivering a juicy, perfectly cooked meatloaf with a caramelized crust. This makes it an ideal option for busy weeknights when you want a hearty, home-cooked meal without the long wait.

Another thing to love about this recipe is its simplicity and versatility. The ingredients are straightforward and likely already in your pantry, yet they come together to create a flavorful and satisfying dish. The combination of Worcestershire sauce, onion, and garlic adds depth and savory notes, while the tangy-sweet glaze made from apple cider vinegar, brown sugar, and ketchup provides the perfect finishing touch.

Finally, cooking meatloaf in the air fryer minimizes the need for additional oils, making it a slightly healthier option compared to traditional methods. The air fryer also ensures an even cook, so you don’t have to worry about dry or undercooked spots. This recipe offers a delightful blend of ease, flavor, and healthier cooking, making it a must-try for any meatloaf lover.

How To Make Air Fryer Meatloaf

Step 1: You will add all your meatloaf ingredients in a bowl and give it a good mix with your hands. Get it nice and incorporated.

Step 2: Use a loaf pan to put your meatloaf in. You can either use one or make an aluminum loaf pan if you need. Then you will air fry for 35 minutes, and then remove from the air fryer.

Step 3: Whip up your glaze and top the meatloaf. Replace back in the air fryer and finish cooking 5-10 minutes or until the meatloaf is fully cooked and glaze thickens up a bit.

What To Serve With Meatloaf

The sky’s the limit on what to serve with this dish. From homemade mashed potatoes to air fryer french fries. This recipe is a favorite of mine and my kids love it.

Sometimes I will make mashed potatoes and brown gravy to go with it and other times we do macaroni and cheese or french fries and a roasted vegetable.

Dinner Rolls
Mashed Potatoes
French Fries
Mac and Cheese
Roasted Vegetables
Zucchini Pie or Zucchini Casserole
Etc

New To The Air Fryer World

I used this COSORI Air Fryer, it was the perfect size for this meatloaf. I loved the this air fryer’s one-touch preset icons make air frying easier than ever. The digital LED display and touch panel are angled toward you so you never have to bend down to operate your air fryer.

Customizable Presets and Shake Reminder: Pre-select and save your own time, temperature, and shake reminders for consistently perfect results

I am beginning to teach my older boys how to use this air fryer so when they move out on their own they can learn how to use the air fryer oven to cook. This is an oilless cooker so you can make that deep-fried food you love without the oil but still gain the crunch.

Tips & Tricks

Use Fresh Ingredients: Fresh garlic, onion, and quality ground beef will enhance the flavor of your meatloaf. Pre-chopped or pre-minced ingredients can sometimes lack the same punch as their freshly prepared counterparts.
Shape Matters: Make sure your meatloaf is evenly shaped and fits well into your air fryer basket. An even shape ensures that it cooks uniformly, avoiding any dry or undercooked spots. You can use a small loaf pan or create a foil pan to help shape and contain the meatloaf.
Don’t Overmix: When combining your meatloaf ingredients, mix just until everything is combined. Overmixing can result in a dense, tough meatloaf.
Preheat Your Air Fryer: Just like an oven, preheating your air fryer ensures that your meatloaf starts cooking immediately, which helps in forming a nice crust and cooking it evenly.
Monitor the Temperature: Use a meat thermometer to ensure your meatloaf reaches an internal temperature of 160 degrees Fahrenheit. This helps in making sure it’s cooked through without being overdone.
Glaze in Stages: For the best results, apply the glaze in stages. Add a layer of glaze halfway through cooking and another layer towards the end. This allows the glaze to caramelize and develop deeper flavors.
Rest Before Slicing: Let the meatloaf rest for a few minutes after cooking. This allows the juices to redistribute, resulting in a juicier meatloaf that holds its shape better when sliced.
Experiment with Add-ins: Feel free to add finely chopped vegetables like bell peppers, carrots, or mushrooms to the meat mixture for added flavor and nutrition. You can also mix in different seasonings to suit your taste.

FAQs

Yes, you can substitute ground beef with other meats like ground turkey, chicken, or pork. Keep in mind that different meats have different fat contents, which may affect the cooking time and texture. For leaner meats like turkey or chicken, consider adding a bit more moisture (such as an extra egg or a bit of milk) to prevent the meatloaf from drying out.

The best way to ensure your meatloaf is cooked through is to use a meat thermometer. Insert the thermometer into the thickest part of the meatloaf, and it should read 160 degrees Fahrenheit. This ensures the meat is safe to eat and cooked properly.

If you don’t have a loaf pan that fits your air fryer, you can create a makeshift pan using aluminum foil. Shape the foil into a loaf pan shape and place your meatloaf mixture inside. This helps catch the drippings and keeps the meatloaf in the correct shape while cooking.

Store leftover meatloaf in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. You can also freeze slices of meatloaf for up to 3 months. To reheat, thaw in the refrigerator overnight and warm in the oven, microwave, or air fryer until heated through.

Yes, you can customize the glaze to your liking. Some popular alternatives include barbecue sauce, tomato sauce, or even a mixture of ketchup and mustard. Feel free to experiment with different flavors to find your favorite.

Air Fryer Meatloaf

Name: Air Fryer Meatloaf
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 45 min
Total time: 50 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 1/2 Pounds Ground Beef; 1 Egg; 1 TSP Worcestershire Sauce; 2 TBSP Chopped Onion; 1 TBSP Minced Garlic; 1 Slice of Bread, broken into pieces; 1/2 Cup Milk; 4 TBSP Ketchup; GLAZE; 4 TBSP Apple Cider Vinegar; 2 TBSP Brown Sugar; 1/2 Cup Ketchup

Prep Time: 5 minutes

Cook Time: 45 minutes

Total Time: 50 minutes

Air Fryer Meatloaf is an easy and delicious air fried meatloaf recipe. Juicy and seasoned meatloaf that is topped with a sweet and savory sauce.

Ingredients

1 1/2 Pounds Ground Beef
1 Egg
1 TSP Worcestershire Sauce
2 TBSP Chopped Onion
1 TBSP Minced Garlic
1 Slice of Bread, broken into pieces
1/2 Cup Milk
4 TBSP Ketchup
GLAZE
4 TBSP Apple Cider Vinegar
2 TBSP Brown Sugar
1/2 Cup Ketchup

Instructions

Preheat Air Fryer to 390 degrees.
Create a loaf pan that fits your air fryer to help catch the oil as your meatloaf cooks.
Mix all of your meatloaf ingredients together. You want to make sure it is completely blended together.
Place and shape your meatloaf into your aluminum foil loaf pan.
Air fry for 35 minutes.
After 35 minutes, pour glaze over the top of your meatloaf and use a basting brush to evenly coat.
Air fry for another 5-10 minutes until the glaze starts to bubble & caramelize. Internal temperature should be 160 degrees.

Notes

*Thank you Budget Savvy Diva for the inspiration for the meatloaf recipe, it has been my favorite meatloaf recipe for years.

Nutrition Information:

Yield:

Serving Size:

1
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 309Total Fat: 16gSaturated Fat: 6gTrans Fat: 1gUnsaturated Fat: 7gCholesterol: 100mgSodium: 331mgCarbohydrates: 16gFiber: 0gSugar: 12gProtein: 25g

Melissa

I’m Melissa, the imaginative force behind Sparkles to Sprinkles, where creativity comes to life, and sprinkles of joy are scattered generously. Melissa is a proud Jersey girl who found love with a New York boy. As a mom to four wonderful boys and a few fur babies, her journey into the world of blogging began after making the life-changing decision to stay home and raise her children. Previously a dedicated workaholic, Melissa’s blog became her creative outlet and passion project. Inspired by her mother-in-law, a masterful cook renowned for her delicious home-cooked meals and legendary holiday feasts (think mouthwatering sausage stuffing), Melissa honed her culinary skills through a combination of family recipes and countless cooking classes. She often attended these classes with her son Michael, who shared her enthusiasm for cooking from a young age. Melissa’s love for learning extends beyond familiar cuisines, as she enjoys exploring international recipes in hands-on cooking classes. Her blog features a diverse array of recipes, showcasing her expertise with various kitchen appliances such as the Instant Pot, air fryer, Slow Cooker, Ninja Foodi, Instant Vortex Plus, and more. Join Melissa on her culinary adventures as she shares tried-and-true family favorites alongside exciting new discoveries!

2 Comments

mac says:

August 5, 2020 at 2:54 pm

what is the 4T in the glaze,,the first ingredient is blank..thanks much..

1. Melissa says:
  
  August 5, 2020 at 10:51 pm
  
  I am so sorry, it is apple cider vinegar and updated on the recipe. Thanks so much 🙂

Air Fryer Meatloaf