Air Fryer Meatloaf is a hearty, flavorful main dish that makes weeknight dinner simple and satisfying. This easy air fryer meatloaf recipe gives you tender, moist meatloaf with a sweet and savory glaze, and it can be ready in about an hour from start to finish.
Meatloaf is a classic American comfort food, although many cultures have their own version of seasoned ground meat shaped into a loaf. This air fryer version keeps the familiar flavor and texture while making the cooking process quicker and more convenient.
Air Fryer Meatloaf
The air fryer has become a favorite kitchen appliance because it cooks everyday foods quickly and evenly without heating up the whole kitchen. It works especially well for simple recipes, and meatloaf is a great example. The circulating hot air helps the outside cook beautifully while keeping the inside tender and juicy.
This air fryer meatloaf recipe is packed with flavor from onion, carrot, garlic, Worcestershire sauce, Dijon mustard, ketchup, and a tangy homemade glaze. The meat mixture is divided into two smaller loaves, which helps them cook faster than one large loaf. It is a practical dinner recipe for busy nights, family meals, or meal prep.
Which Ground Beef is Best for Meatloaf?
- Ground chuck with an 80% lean to 20% fat ratio is often used for meatloaf because it has plenty of flavor and moisture.
- A 90% lean to 10% fat blend also works well and creates less grease in the air fryer basket.
- If you prefer a leaner meatloaf, you can use 97% lean to 3% fat ground beef, although the texture may be slightly less rich.
Some Variations of This Meatloaf Recipe
- Add small cubes of cheddar cheese to the meat mixture for a richer, cheesier meatloaf.
- Wrap the shaped loaves in bacon before cooking for extra smoky flavor.
- Replace the bread crumbs with stuffing crumbs, crushed pork rinds, panko, or cooked rice.
- Add a packet of onion soup mix for extra seasoning, but leave out the added salt if you do.
How to Make Meatloaf in the Air Fryer
Start by gathering all of your ingredients. Add the onion, carrot, garlic, ketchup, mustard, salt, pepper, eggs, cottage cheese, and Worcestershire sauce to a large bowl. Stir these ingredients together first so the seasoning is evenly distributed before adding the ground beef.
Add the ground beef and seasoned bread crumbs, then mix gently until everything is combined. Avoid overmixing, as that can make meatloaf dense. Form the mixture into two equal loaves and place them in a foil-lined air fryer basket or on the air fryer rack.
Air fry the meatloaves for about 20 minutes. While they cook, prepare the sauce by combining the glaze ingredients. Spoon half of the sauce over the loaves and continue air frying for another 10 minutes. Let the meatloaf rest for 5 minutes before slicing. The meatloaf is done when the internal temperature reaches 160°F.
Tip: For a saucier finish, use half of the sauce during cooking and spoon the remaining sauce over the meatloaf just before serving.
Tips for Meatloaf Made in the Air Fryer
- Line the air fryer basket with foil to make cleanup easier.
- Cottage cheese may sound unusual in meatloaf, but it helps keep the texture moist. You can use an equal amount of milk instead if preferred.
- Fatty foods may cause smoking in some air fryers. If your model has enough space, place a piece of bread under the rack in the bottom of the basket to absorb dripping grease.
- Shape the meat mixture into two smaller loaves instead of one large loaf so the meat cooks more evenly and quickly.
Storing Leftover Meatloaf
Store leftover air fryer meatloaf in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. You can also freeze cooked meatloaf for up to 3 months in an airtight freezer-safe container or freezer bag. For best results, let the meatloaf cool before storing it.
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If you make this delicious air fryer meatloaf, leave a comment and rating to share how it turned out. It is always helpful to know what worked well for you and any variations you tried.
Air Fryer Meatloaf
Equipment
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Air Fryer
Ingredients
Meat Loaf
- ¼ cup minced onion
- ¼ cup shredded carrot
- 1 Tablespoon minced garlic (or 3 teaspoons garlic powder)
- 3 Tablespoons ketchup (or BBQ sauce)
- 1 Tablespoon Dijon mustard
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 2 large eggs, beaten
- ¼ cup cottage cheese (or whole milk)
- 1 Tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 2 pounds ground beef
- ⅓ cup seasoned bread crumbs (or stuffing crumbs, crushed pork rinds, etc.)
Sauce
- ½ cup ketchup
- ¼ cup tomato sauce
- ¼ cup packed brown sugar (or pure maple syrup)
- 1 Tablespoon Dijon mustard
- 2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
- 1 Tablespoon finely minced onion
- 1 teaspoon liquid smoke (optional)
Instructions
Meat Loaf
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Preheat the air fryer to 375°F for 5 minutes.
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Line the air fryer basket with foil and spray it with nonstick cooking spray.
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In a large mixing bowl, combine the onion, carrot, garlic, ketchup, mustard, salt, pepper, beaten eggs, cottage cheese, and Worcestershire sauce.
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Add the ground beef and bread crumbs. Mix by hand or with a large spoon until just combined.
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Shape the mixture into 2 loaves and place them in the prepared air fryer basket.
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Cook at 375°F for 20 minutes.
Make the Sauce
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Combine all sauce ingredients in a small saucepan.
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Cook over medium-low heat for 4 minutes, stirring often.
Finish
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Spoon half of the sauce over the meatloaves, return them to the air fryer, and cook for another 10 minutes.
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Transfer the meatloaves to a serving tray. Spoon the remaining sauce over the top and let them rest for 5 minutes before slicing and serving.
Notes
Tips
- Cottage cheese helps keep the meatloaf moist. If you prefer, replace it with an equal amount of milk.
- Line the air fryer basket with foil for easier cleanup.
- You can cook the meatloaf with half of the sauce, then spoon the remaining sauce over the cooked loaves before serving.
- Air frying fatty foods can cause smoke. If your air fryer design allows it, place a piece of bread under the rack to absorb grease drips.
Storage
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Freeze cooked meatloaf for up to 3 months.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated and should be used only as an approximation.