Air Fryer Meatloaf

This Air Fryer Meatloaf recipe is an easy comfort food meal idea that’s deliciously juicy, perfectly cooked, and budget-friendly! The BEST meatloaf recipe made in the air fryer or the oven.

 

Estimated reading time: 9 minutes

There’s no comfort food more timeless than meatloaf! The savoury aroma of a perfectly baked meatloaf fills your kitchen and it makes the best main dish for a cozy dinner. But gone are the days of slaving over a homemade meatloaf for hours – let us simplify your traditional family dinner by introducing you to our new favourite way of making homemade meatloaf: in the air fryer!

This Air Fryer Meatloaf Recipe is the most simple and flavourful meatloaf we’ve ever tried. It comes together in minutes and bakes to perfection in the air fryer OR in the oven (if you prefer). Follow our guide to the perfect meatloaf and you’ll be well on your way to meatloaf heaven!

When making meatloaf, it’s best to start at the beginning – with the ingredients!

1. Ground Meat: We make meatloaf with ground beef, but a mix of ground beef and pork also creates a rich flavour profile. Opt for regular or lean meats, but not extra-lean ground meat as this can make for a dry meatloaf.

2. Filler: Bread crumbs or crushed crackers add texture and help bind the meatloaf together. For a gluten-free twist, try using gluten-free quick oats.

3. Binders: Eggs are essential to hold everything together, while milk adds moisture.

4. Flavour Enhancers: Onions, garlic, and a medley of herbs and spices infuse meatloaf with a ton of flavour.

5. Toppings: Ketchup and barbecue sauce, or a glaze of your choice provides that signature meatloaf finish.

The secret to a truly exceptional meatloaf lies in using top-notch, quality ingredients. Choose fresh meats, and don’t skimp on the seasonings!

Here are our expert tips for crafting the perfect meatloaf!

1. Choose the right meat. We recommend regular or lean ground beef for meatloaf because it contains enough fat to keep the meatloaf nice and juicy. While extra-lean ground beef is healthier and lower in fat, it lacks fat which can make your meatloaf dry and less flavourful.

2. Start with the flavour paste. Mix all the ingredients together before adding the meat. This will help the flavours distribute evenly throughout the meat as you mix everything together and prevent over-mixing.

3. The Meat-to-Filler Ratio: Strike a balance between the meat and the other ingredients to achieve the ideal texture. Too much filler can make your meatloaf dry, while too little can result in a dense, heavy loaf.

4. Avoid over-mixing. Over-working the meat can cause the meatloaf to develop a dry, tough and dense texture. Mix just until combined.

5. Seasoning liberally: Don’t be shy with seasonings. Meatloaf can handle bold flavours, so feel free to experiment with herbs and spices and be sure to add the glaze for a ton of added flavour.

6. Poke holes in the aluminum pan. The best meatloaf is baked on a rack, allowing air to surround the meatloaf. This can cause it to lose its shape, so we suggest poking holes in the aluminum pan, baking in the pan until almost fully baked, and then inverting out of the pan, glazing, and air frying or baking for the remainder of the cooking time.

7. Use a meat thermometer. Ensure your meatloaf reaches a safe internal temperature of 160°F (71°C) and be sure to stop the cooking process once it’s reached this temperature.

8. Resting time: Once your meatloaf is cooked, allow it to rest for a few minutes before slicing. This crucial step allows the juices to redistribute, keeping your meatloaf tender, juicy and flavourful.

Here’s what we recommend serving with this delicious meatloaf recipe:

• Creamy Instant Pot Mashed Potatoes
• Air Fryer Green Beans
• Air Fryer Corn on the Cob
• Olive Garden Salad
• Roasted Potatoes and Carrots
• Garlic Butter Roasted Carrots

If you’ve been gifted an air fryer for the holidays and it’s been sitting on your shelf collecting dust, or if you’ve been thinking about picking up an air fryer for awhile but haven’t yet, we’d HIGHLY recommend getting started. An air fryer is a fantastic kitchen appliance for achieving that oven-crisp or fried texture in a fraction of the time with next to no added fat, and to be honest it’s a kitchen appliance we’d have a hard time living without!

Here’s a list of air fryers we recommend (paid links):

• A great Air Fryer for space-saving (2 quart capacity)
• The perfect Air Fryer for large families with a dual basket feature
• A standard Air Fryer for everyday use (works well for a family of 2 to 4 people)
• A large Air Fryer for everyday use (works well for a family of 2 to 4 people)

In addition to an air fryer, you’ll need this basic kitchen equipment to make this recipe (paid links):

• mixing bowl
• measuring cups and spoons
• silicone spatula
• chopping board
• chef’s knife
• single use aluminum loaf pans

Here’s the list of ingredients you’ll need to make this air fryer meatloaf recipe (paid links):

For the Meatloaf:

• 1 cup ritz cracker crumbs or panko breadcrumbs
• ½ cup milk or use dairy-free milk, if desired
• 2 tablespoon tomato paste
• 2 medium onions finely diced (approximately 1 cup)
• 4 cloves of garlic finely minced
• 2 teaspoons smoked paprika
• 2 teaspoons pepper
• 2 teaspoons salt
• 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
• 1 tablespoon dijon mustard
• 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
• 2 eggs
• 2 pounds ground beef use regular or lean

For the Glaze:

• ½ cup ketchup
• ¼ cup barbecue sauce
• 1 tablespoon brown sugar
• 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
• 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
• 1 teaspoon sriracha or other hot sauce optional

While the classic meatloaf recipe is a timeless favourite, there’s no shortage of ways to infuse exciting new flavours into this comforting dish. Try one of these delicious flavour variations:

1. Cheese-Stuffed: Create a well in the meat mixture, add your favourite cheese, and seal it up before baking.

2. Mushroom-Infused: Sautéed mushrooms, either mixed into the meat or used as a flavourful topping, add an earthy richness to your meatloaf.

3. Spicy: Heat things up by incorporating diced jalapeños, cayenne pepper, or your favourite hot sauce into the mix.

4. Mediterranean: Add some crumbled feta cheese, sun-dried tomatoes, and a Greek-inspired blend of herbs and spices.

5. Bacon-Wrapped: Embrace the smoky, savoury goodness of bacon by wrapping your meatloaf in thin slices before baking.

6. Veggie-Packed: Sneak in extra nutrition by adding finely chopped vegetables like carrots, bell peppers, or spinach to your meatloaf mixture. It’s a clever way to get your greens.

We hope you love this recipe as much as we do! Let us know in the comments below, what’s your favourite air fryer recipe? We’d love to know!

• Air Fryer Roasted Vegetables
• Easy Healthy Turkey Veggie Meatballs
• Air Fryer Chicken Breasts
• Easy Baked Classic Meatballs
• Air Fryer Whole Chicken
• Air Fryer Burgers
• Veggie Burgers
• Air Fryer Baked Sweet Potato

Watch the video below to see exactly how we make this recipe. You can find many more deliciously simple recipe videos on our YouTube channel!