Air Fryer Meatloaf

By Becky Hardin

Published Dec 3, 2021

I love that I can serve up a delicious and tasty homemade meatloaf in a fraction of the time thanks to the air fryer. Perfectly cooked and juicy, I find that this Air Fryer Meatloaf recipe is ready to serve in around 30 minutes. Perfect for an easy weeknight dinner.

slices of air fryer meatloaf on plate with mashed potatoes and salad - 5

What’s in This Air Fryer Meatloaf Recipe?

Glazed in a tangy and sweet ketchup mix, this air fryer meatloaf is tasty, hearty, comforting, and a breeze to make. I serve it up with all of your favorite sides for a cozy dinner idea that everyone will love!

Ground Beef : We like 80-85% lean beef for a juicy meatloaf. Any leaner, and it may turn out dry.
Breadcrumbs: Bind the meatloaf and help retain moisture. For a gluten-free option, use gluten-free breadcrumbs.
Onion: A bit of finely chopped yellow or white onion adds an earthy-sweet flavor and moisture.
Milk: Adds moisture and richness to the loaf. Any kind of milk will work, including plant-based milk .
Ketchup: Adds a sweet and umami flavor to both the meatloaf and the glaze.
Worcestershire Sauce: Adds savory, umami flavor to the meatloaf. Check the ingredients carefully if you’re gluten-sensitive, as not all brands are gluten-free.
Seasonings : Salt, pepper, garlic powder, and Italian seasoning add flavor to the meatloaf, while garlic and onion powder add a savory element to the glaze.
Egg: Helps bind the meatloaf and adds moisture.
Sugar: Brown sugar adds rich sweetness to the glaze.
Vinegar: A splash of red wine vinegar a touch of balancing acidity to the glaze.

Variations on Meatloaf in the Air Fryer

I prefer to make this air fryer meatloaf with beef as it has a higher fat content than chicken or turkey so it stays nice and juicy. I sometimes swap some of the beef with another ground meat like chicken or turkey. Pork would also be delicious!

How to Store and Reheat

Leftovers will keep well in the fridge for up to 4 days and can be reheated in the air fryer at 320°F for 5 minutes to warm it back through.

How to Freeze

To freeze, tightly wrap the meatloaf in plastic wrap and aluminum foil, then store in a Ziplock bag for up to 3 months. Let thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.

slices of air fryer meatloaf on plate with mashed potatoes and salad - 7

Serving Suggestions

This is one hearty and delicious meal that is so easy to make. Serve it up with your favorite sides, like mashed potatoes and a spinach salad with bacon for one tasty family meal. Use leftovers to make a delicious meatloaf sandwich with Swiss or Provolone cheese!

Notes from the Test Kitchen

This beef meatloaf takes minutes to make before it gets cooked in the air fryer. Even the clean-up is a breeze! You just need one bowl to mix everything together, and then it’s cooked right in the air fryer basket.

Ingredients1x2x3x

▢ 1 pound ground beef
▢ ½ cup breadcrumbs
▢ ½ cup finely chopped onion
▢ ¼ cup milk
▢ 2 tablespoons ketchup
▢ 2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
▢ ¾ teaspoon kosher salt
▢ ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
▢ ½ teaspoon garlic powder
▢ ½ teaspoon Italian seasoning
▢ 1 large egg

For the Glaze

▢ ½ cup ketchup
▢ 1 tablespoon brown sugar
▢ 1 tablespoon red wine vinegar
▢ ½ teaspoon garlic powder
▢ ½ teaspoon onion powder

Video

Instructions

In a large bowl, mix all the meatloaf ingredients together. 1 pound ground beef, ½ cup breadcrumbs, ½ cup finely chopped onion, ¼ cup milk, 2 tablespoons ketchup, 2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce, ¾ teaspoon kosher salt, ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper, ½ teaspoon garlic powder, ½ teaspoon Italian seasoning, 1 large egg
Form the mixture into a loaf shape.
Transfer the loaf to the air fryer.
Cook at 350 degrees for 15 minutes.
While the meatloaf is cooking, make the glaze. Combine the ketchup, brown sugar, vinegar, garlic powder, and onion powder in a small dish. ½ cup ketchup, 1 tablespoon brown sugar, 1 tablespoon red wine vinegar, ½ teaspoon garlic powder, ½ teaspoon onion powder
While the meatloaf is still in the air fryer basket, spread the glaze over the meatloaf.
Cook the meatloaf for another 5 minutes.
Serve and Enjoy!

Equipment

Air Fryer (click for my favorite)

Becky’s Tips

Don’t overwork the meatloaf mixture. Everything should be well combined, but over-mixing it can cause the beef to become chewy and dense.
Place the meatloaf straight into the air fryer basket. If you prefer, you can lay it on some foil.
We love the tomato glaze to finish off this meatloaf, but it will still be delicious without it.
Use an instant-read thermometer to check the meatloaf for doneness; it should be 165°F at the thickest point.
Let the meatloaf rest for at least 5 minutes before slicing to lock in the juices.

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

How to Make Meatloaf in an Air Fryer Step by Step

Mix the Meatloaf: In a large bowl, mix 1 pound of ground beef, ½ cup of breadcrumbs, ½ cup of finely chopped onion, ¼ cup of milk, 2 tablespoons of ketchup, 2 teaspoons of Worcestershire sauce, ¾ teaspoon of kosher salt, ¼ teaspoon of ground black pepper, ½ teaspoon of garlic powder, ½ teaspoon of Italian seasoning, and 1 large egg together.

Shape and Cook the Meatloaf: Form the mixture into a loaf shape. Transfer the loaf to the air fryer. Cook at 350°F for 15 minutes.

air fryer meatloaf uncooked in air fryer - 9

Glaze and Cook the Meatloaf: While the meatloaf is cooking, make the glaze. Combine ½ cup of ketchup, 1 tablespoon of brown sugar, 1 tablespoon of red wine vinegar, ½ teaspoon of garlic powder, and ½ teaspoon of onion powder in a small dish. While the meatloaf is still in the air fryer basket, spread the glaze over the meatloaf. Cook the meatloaf for another 5 minutes.

More Ground Beef Recipes To Try

Stovetop Burgers
Baked Cheeseburger Sliders
Goulash
Stuffed Shells with Meat
Swedish Meatballs
Air Fryer Hamburgers
Hamburger Casserole

Air Fryer Meatloaf Recipe

Equipment

Air Fryer (click for my favorite)