My air fryer meatloaf is the perfect size for our family dinner and is filled with a savory flavors. My recipe is even ideal for weeknights!
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My Family Loved Recipe for Meatloaf in the Air Fryer
I first created this air fryer meatloaf to enjoy it without taking a full hour to cook. It’s also a smaller meatloaf, so my family can enjoy it for dinner, and then my husband loves to eat the rest the next day for lunch.
My husband Ben loved getting meatloaf from Boston Market when he was a kid. Although he was a super picky eater, he always looked forward to his mom bringing home their meatloaf. And yes, he loves my air fryer meatloaf recipe just as much as that one!
I made this recipe to be cooked without any fancy air fryer accessories because while I love my accessories, this one was unnecessary to get a perfectly cooked meatloaf.
And, if you love a good air fryer dinner recipe try my recipes for air fryer chicken tenders, air fryer hot dogs, air fryer cod, air fryer burgers, and air fryer fried chicken.
Air Fryer Meatloaf Recipe Ingredients
- Ground beef — I recommend 2lbs of 80/20 lean ground beef
- Eggs
- Milk
- Italian breadcrumbs
- McCormick’s meatloaf seasoning packet
- Worcestershire sauce
- Ketchup
- Light brown sugar
- Dijon mustard
How to Cook Meatloaf in the Air Fryer
A full printable version of this recipe with ingredient measurements is available at the bottom of this post.
STEP ONE: Preheat the air fryer to 350 degrees.
STEP TWO: Combine the beef, eggs, milk, bread crumbs, meatloaf seasoning, and Worcestershire sauce in a large bowl. I use a big spoon or just mix it with my hands.
STEP THREE: Form the meatloaf mixture into a loaf shape, then place it in the preheated air fryer basket. I recommend spraying the basket with some oil using an oil sprayer so the meatloaf is easy to take out after cooking.
I’ve also used a piece of air fryer parchment paper in the basket under the meatloaf if you would like to help with clean up.
STEP FOUR: Cook the meatloaf for 25 minutes.
STEP FIVE: Meanwhile, make the topping by combining the ketchup, brown sugar, Dijon mustard, and Worcestershire sauce.
STEP SIX: At 25 minutes, spoon ¼ cup of the topping mixture onto the meatloaf, just enough to cover it. Place the loaf back in the air fryer for 5-10 more minutes or until a meat thermometer reads 160 degrees.
STEP SEVEN: Remove the loaf from the air fryer. I love to add a little more of the glaze topping before I serve it.
STEP EIGHT: Allow the meatloaf to rest for 5 minutes before slicing.
Tips for the Best Air Fryer Meatloaf
- If you notice the top browning too early, cover it with aluminum foil. Remove the foil once you add the topping. Each air fryer is its own height, so some will brown faster than others.
- Use 80/20 ground beef for the best flavor. I find lean ground beef can turn out a little too dry when air fried.
- Use the remaining topping as a dipping sauce for the meatloaf. My kids love the extra sauce!
- Use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature of the meatloaf before taking it out of the air fryer. Ground beef in a meatloaf must cook to 160 degrees at its thickest point.
Meatloaf Air Fryer Recipe Variations and Substitutions
- For a lighter version, substitute ground turkey or chicken in place of the ground beef. I’ve tried both and they turn out delicious!
- Add some heat by mixing in chopped jalapeños or red pepper flakes for a spicy kick. If I make this while the kids are at a play date, I do this for a spicy switch up.
- Use BBQ sauce or balsamic as the glaze instead of the traditional ketchup mixture.
- Give your meatloaf a cheesy twist by adding a core of cheddar, mozzarella, or pepper jack in the center of the loaf. My husband loves when I add in some pepper jack as a surprise.
- For a deep, smoky flavor, mix in a bit of liquid smoke or smoked paprika.
- Add fresh herbs like basil or thyme for a new flavor profile. I’ve even added in things like roasted diced peppers and onions!
What to Serve with My Air Fryer Meatloaf Recipe
I love to serve my meatloaf with some sort of vegetable like air fryer asparagus, air fryer corn on the cob, air fryer zucchini chips, or air fryer carrots along with some garlic cheese bread.
My kids have started to request air fryer tater tots and Velveeta mac and cheese alongside the meatloaf. I have no idea how that combo came to be, but its their new favorite meal all together.
Air Fryer Meatloaf FAQs
How to store Air Fry Meatloaf
I store leftover meatloaf in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days, though it’s usually gone the next day when my husband eats it for lunch!
How Long to Cook Meatloaf in the Air Fryer
My air fryer meatloaf takes 35 minutes to cook in a preheated air fryer at 350 degrees. I love to use an alarm thermometer that stays in the meatloaf while it’s cooking and beeps when it’s done cooking at 160 degrees F. This is the timing for using 2 pounds of ground beef.
Can I Make Turkey Meatloaf Instead?
Yes! I’ve made my meatloaf recipe with both ground turkey and ground chicken before. I’ve never tried ground pork in it, but I bet that would be delicious too!
How to reheat Meatloaf in the Air Fryer
If I’m home with access to my air fryer, I love reheating leftovers in it. I just put the extra slices in my air fryer basket and cook it at 350 degrees, preheated, for about 3 to 5 minutes.
How I Keep My Air Fryer From Smoking
Air fryers can smoke when cooking fatty proteins, so I recommend either putting a little water under the basket or a piece or two of bread there. It helps to catch any grease that drips off.
How do you keep Air Fried meatloaf moist when cooking?
Overcooking meatloaf is the main reason it will turn dry. I use an alarm thermometer inside the meatloaf that beeps when the meatloaf is done so I can pull it out as soon as its ready!
Why does my meatloaf fall apart when I cook it?
If meatloaf falls apart, it is overcooked or needs more binding ingredients. I would add an extra egg and a little more breadcrumbs to help bind it together so it sticks together. This is not needed for my recipe as it has enough binding ingredients already.
More Easy Air Fryer Dinner Recipes
- Air fryer chicken legs
- Air fryer shrimp
- Pork loin in the air fryer
- Boneless pork chops in the air fryer
- Air fryer steak bites
- Air fryer brats
- Air fryer tilapia
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Easy Air Fryer Meatloaf
Equipment
Ingredients
- 2 pounds ground beef 80/20
- 2 large eggs
- 1/4 cup milk
- 2/3 cup Italian breadcrumbs
- 1 packet McCormick's meatloaf seasoning packet 1.5 ounces
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
For the Topping
- 1 cup ketchup
- 1/2 cup light brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon dijon mustard
- 1/2 tablespoon Worchestershire sauce
Instructions
- Preheat your air fryer to 350 degrees.
- Combine the beef, eggs, milk, bread crumbs, meatloaf seasoning, and Worcestershire sauce in a large bowl. You can use a big spoon or just use your hands.
- Form it onto a loaf shape and place the meatloaf in the air fryer.
- Cook it for 25 minutes.*
- While the meatloaf is cooking, combine the ketchup, brown sugar, dijon mustard, and Worcestershire sauce in a small bowl.
- After 25 minutes spoon 1/4 cup of the topping mixture onto the meatloaf. Place it back in the air fryer and cook for 5 to 10 minutes more until it reaches 165 degrees F.
- Remove the meatloaf from the air fryer and top with additional ketchup mixture and enjoy!
Video
Notes
Nutrition
This nutrition information is based on the exact products I used in this recipe. Brands and sizes of products could alter exact nutrition and should always be calculated independently.
Hi Samantha ~
Glad I found you.
I look forward to your recipes.
Quick question: Do I use the ‘air fryer’ option or the bake option for the meatloaf recipe?
Thank you~
Hi Sandi, all of my recipes labeled for air fryer will use the air fryer function on your appliance. Enjoy!
I’d like to know this too. Almost all recipes just give the temp and time. They don’t say what setting!!! Let me know.
Hi Patti, all of the recipes labeled “air fryer” on my site use the air fry or air crisp setting. I make it easy as all air fryers don’t have additional settings on them.
Samantha,
This Recipe will also work great for Meat Balls with or without Gravy and Sausage Roll Filling.
This was a great recipe here. I added ground italian sausage to mine it was very tasty. I just got my air fryer recently so I’m learning. I had a big piece of meat though ( 2 pounds i think lol ) next time i will cut it in half lol. I ended up having to bump up the time. I was also skeptical about the bake and the air fry settings. I started out as airfry and got scared so i switched to bake then switched it back again lolo. It finally did right. it’s very iintimidating 🙂 thanks for sharing!
Hi Emily, I’m glad you enjoyed the recipe! Air fryer cooking can seem a little counterintuitive at first, but just keep making recipes with it and it will become easier to use. Best wishes!
Hello Samantha,
If I only want to cook 1 pound instead of 2 pounds, would I cut all of the other ingredients in half also? And would it change the cooking time?
Hi Gwendolyn, Yes, please half the rest of the ingredients in the recipe. This will ensure you get the correct flavor and texture in your meatloaf. The cook time will likely decrease, I would start checking the internal temperature at the 30 minute mark (remember you are looking for an internal temperature of 165 degrees F). Enjoy!
It never says what shelf of the air fryer to cook on so can you tell me cuz there’s is the shelves in my air fryer
Hi Kristi, If you are using a countertop oven style of air fryer or one built into your oven, place the rack in the middle. That way you get even heat circulation around your food. Enjoy!
This worked exactly as written, thanks! Probably the best meatloaf I’ve ever made! The only suggestion I’ve got is add onion and bell peppers it was great
Hi Shanna, Thanks for your feedback and the tip about onion and bell pepper. Sounds like a great addition! I’m so thrilled you enjoyed the recipe.
This worked exactly as written, thanks!
You’re so welcome, Sharon! Enjoy!