Best Air Fryer Meatloaf (Easy 5 Minute Prep Recipe)
This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my disclosure policy.
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! Use this classic meatloaf recipe and cook it in the air fryer. Perfect for busy weeknights.
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!
This meatloaf mixture is super simple to make, and it’s one of those air fryer recipes that the whole family will enjoy.
No matter if you put BBQ sauce or ketchup on top of the meatloaf, you’re sure to get the best results from this easy air fryer version.
This is the best ay to make delicious meatloaf in less time! Follow the printable recipe card below to learn the simple steps to this delicious meal!
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.
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 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.
Air Fryer Meatloaf Recipe FAQ
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.
You can also make a meat mixture using ground pork, lean ground beef, or ground turkey. I’ve used a variety of ground meat before to make the loaf shape, and it’s an easy way to put a spin on this easy air fryer meatloaf recipe.
Just be sure that whatever meat you use for this meatloaf, it’s cooked all the way through before serving. Using an instant-read thermometer is the best way to make sure that the easy recipe is fully cooked and ready to enjoy.
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.
Did I mention that this is my favorite meatloaf recipe?! The large meatloaf is so versatile in how it can be cooked. This is what makes it the best air fryer meatloaf recipe out there!
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.
You can add all your favorite sides! I love pairing this with green beans, small loaves of cornbread, and even mashed potatoes. The best thing about this tasty air fryer meatloaf is that it’s easy to pair with just about anything.
When it comes to a classic comfort food meal, it doesn’t get much better than this.
Enjoy!
With love, from our simple kitchen to yours.
Don’t miss a thing! Follow us on
Facebook | Twitter | Pinterest | Instagram
Other Delicious Meatloaf Recipes
Best Air Fryer Meatloaf (Easy 5 Minute Prep Recipe)
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
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.
Originally published July 2021, updated and republished April 2024
Disclosure: Posts may contain affiliate links. If you purchase a product through an affiliate link your price will remain the same and The Slow Roasted Italian will automatically receive a small commission. Thank you for supporting us, it helps us keep creating new recipes.
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.
This was such a good way to cook meatloaf, and took way less time! It was so easy.
It doesn’t say how many lbs of meat
Hi Shari,
Sorry about that, it is 2 pounds of ground beef.
TSRI Team Member,
Holli
Should the air fryer be preheated? Or just put the meat in and then turn it on?