Air Fryer Meatloaf
Craving that classic comfort food flavor of meatloaf but short on time? This Air Fryer Meatloaf recipe delivers all the deliciousness you remember from childhood – that savory, slightly sweet, and perfectly moist meatloaf – in a fraction of the time. Perfect for busy weeknights, kid-friendly, customizable, and healthy!
Equipment
- Air Fryer,
- Mixing bowl
Ingredients
- 1.5 pounds Ground Beef lean ground beef (80/20 is a good balance)
- Ground Pork optional, for added flavor
- 1 cup Breadcrumbs plain or gluten-free for gluten-free option
- 1 large Egg lightly beaten
- 1/4 cup Milk dairy or non-dairy
- 1/2 cup Onion finely chopped
- 1/2 cup Ketchup divided - 1/4 cup for meat mixture, 1/4 cup for topping
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire Sauce
- 2 cloves Garlic minced, garlic powder can be substituted
- 1 teaspoon Dried Italian Herbs
- to taste Salt & Pepper
- Optional Toppings brown sugar, mustard, or hot sauce can be added to ketchup topping
Instructions
- Preheat your air fryer to 350°F (175°C).
- In a large mixing bowl, combine ground beef, breadcrumbs, egg, milk, chopped onion, 1/4 cup ketchup, Worcestershire sauce, minced garlic, Italian herbs, salt, and pepper.
- Gently mix all ingredients until just combined; avoid overmixing to prevent a tough meatloaf.
- Shape the meat mixture into a loaf shape that fits inside your air fryer basket, leaving space around edges for air circulation.
- In a small bowl, mix the remaining 1/4 cup of ketchup with optional toppings such as brown sugar, mustard, or hot sauce.
- Spread the ketchup topping evenly over the top of the meatloaf.
- Place the meatloaf in the air fryer basket and air fry for 35-40 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 160°F (71°C). Use a meat thermometer to check doneness.
- Remove from air fryer and let rest for 5-10 minutes to allow juices to redistribute.
- Slice and serve with your favorite side dishes.
Notes
You can easily adapt this recipe to dietary needs with ingredient swaps, such as vegan meat alternatives and gluten-free breadcrumbs.