Easy Air Fryer Meatloaf

Quick, Easy, and Delicious Air Fryer Meatloaf Recipe Perfect for Busy Weeknight Dinners

This easy yet extremely delicious air fryer meatloaf recipe is ideal for busy evenings when you want a quick way to serve a warm, comforting meal.

Made with readily available ingredients, it offers maximum flavor with minimal fuss, making it the perfect comfort food everyone loves.

Meatloaf is a popular comfort food that combines ground meat, eggs, onions, Worcestershire sauce, breadcrumbs, and spices.

It's traditionally shaped in a loaf pan and baked until the top is crispy and brown, and the inside is thoroughly cooked.

Air-frying meatloaf results in even crispier edges, thanks to the air circulation in the fryer basket, while keeping the inside juicy.

Plus, it cooks in half the time compared to a traditional oven.

Why This Recipe Works

• The air fryer works by blowing hot air all around the food, making sure it cooks evenly and gets nice and crispy.

• You can easily tweak this recipe to match your taste or dietary needs, like using various kinds of ground meat or adding different spices and herbs.

• Air fryers usually cook food quicker than regular ovens, which is really handy for those busy evenings or when you're in a rush to make a good meal fast.

• This air fryer meatloaf recipe combines ground meat, breadcrumbs, and spices for a comforting and tasty dish. Using an air fryer brings out the flavors and textures, making it extra delicious.

Ingredients You'll Need

Please scroll down to the recipe card below for the full ingredients list with measurements, complete recipe method, recipe notes, and nutritional information.

• Ground beef - The main ingredient for meatloaf is minced meat, and its fat content is just as important as the quality of the meat. The ideal mince should contain 30% fat for a soft and delicious meatloaf. If you prefer to use lean mince, you should add some fat or oil to the mixture. You can also use ground turkey, pork, or a mixture of your favorites.

• Onion - It enhances the flavor and adds moisture to the meatloaf. I prefer grating it into the mixture. If preferred, you can replace it with shallots.

• Egg - It acts as a binder, combining the meat, breadcrumbs, spices, and herbs together. One egg is enough for up to a kilo of meat.

• Breadcrumbs - They soak up the meat's juices during cooking, helping to keep them inside the meatloaf. Also, they give meatloaf a nice soft texture.

• Milk - I use semi-skimmed or full-fat milk helps to tenderize the meat, achieving a soft meatloaf.

• Worcestershire sauce - It has a unique blend of tangy, savory, sweet, and salty flavors, with an added umami taste from the anchovies.

How to Cook Meatloaf in Air Fryer

Cooking meatloaf in an air fryer is very easy and straightforward. 

However, to achieve the best results you need to follow a few simple steps:

Preheat your air fryer to 180°C (350°F).

In a large bowl, combine the ground beef, egg, breadcrumbs, grated onion, garlic, milk, salt, black pepper, paprika, Worcestershire sauce, and chopped parsley.

Mix thoroughly but avoid overworking the meat to keep the meatloafs tender.

Form the mixture into a loaf shape. The size should fit comfortably in your air fryer.

Line your air fryer basket with parchment paper or aluminum foil. Then, place the meatloaf in the basket.

Cook for approximately 20-30 minutes, or until the meatloaf reaches an internal temperature of 71°C (160°F)

While the meatloaf is cooking, mix together the ketchup, vinegar, and sugar in a bowl for the glaze.

After cooking for about 15 minutes, brush the meatloaf with the glaze, then continue cooking until it's fully cooked.

Let the meatloaf rest for five minutes after cooking to retain its juices, then slice and serve with extra glaze on the side.

Top Tips From the Chef

• When combining your ingredients, mix just until everything is incorporated without overmixing it.

• The ideal mince should contain 30% fat for a soft and delicious meatloaf. If you prefer to use lean mince, you should add some fat or oil to the mixture.

• Make sure your meatloaf is the same thickness all over so it cooks evenly. Don't make the middle thicker than the ends.

• Use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature of the meatloaf. It should reach at least 71°C (160°F) to ensure it's cooked through.

• Always check your meatloaf periodically as air fryers can vary in cooking times.

• If the meatloaf starts browning too early, cover it loosely with a piece of tin foil to avoid it burning.

• After cooking, let the meatloaf rest for a few minutes before slicing. This helps the juices redistribute throughout the meatloaf, keeping it moist and flavorful.

What to Serve with Air Fryer Meatloaf?

Pomme Puree - Creamy Mashed Potatoes are a classic choice that pairs wonderfully with meatloaf.

Other side dishes that go well with meatloaf are Homemade Tater Tots in Air Fryer, Homemade Sourdough Dinner Rolls, Yellow Rice (Indian Turmeric Pilau Rice), Honey Roasted Carrots and Parsnips, and a bowl of refreshing Beetroot and Feta Salad.

Storage, Freezing, and Reheating

Allow the meatloaf to cool to room temperature. Avoid leaving it out for more than 2 hours to prevent bacterial growth.

Wrap the leftover meatloaf in plastic wrap, or place it in an airtight container.

Store the wrapped or contained meatloaf in the refrigerator for up to 4 days, or in the freezer for up to 3 months.

When you're ready to eat the leftovers, reheat them in the oven, microwave, or air fryer until they are thoroughly warmed.

If frozen, it's best to thaw it in the fridge overnight before reheating.

Recipe FAQs

Related Recipes

For delicious side dishes that would complement Air Fryer Meatloaf perfectly, why not try:

Did you make this recipe? Please let me know how it turned out! Leave a comment below and tag @cookingorgeous on Instagram and hashtag it #cookingorgeous.

I hope you enjoy the process of making this perfectly juicy and moist Meatloaf in Air Fryer as much as you enjoy eating it! 🙂 

Bon appétit! / Afiyet olsun!