Air Fryer Meatloaf Recipe

Lastest Updated June 27, 2024
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Air fryer meatloaf is a perfect choice when you want a tasty and quick home-cooked recipe to make the best of already available ingredients. Made from ground meat and infused with spices, this American classic is a dish that everyone will love.

In addition to being ideal for family meals, it’s also an excellent dish to bring to potlucks or parties. Moreover, thanks to the air fryer, you can make a yummy meatloaf in just about half an hour. Let’s not waste any more time and get right to today’s recipe!

Air Fryer Meatloaf
Ideal For Family Meals

Why This Air Fryer Meatloaf Recipe Works

Meatloaf is an old-school dish in American cuisine. Historically, it was a way to cut down on food expenses as homemakers could make meatloaf using cheap types of meat. Nowadays, meatloaf has become a well-loved main dish for many people.

Compared to the traditional method, which often involves an oven, cooking meatloaf using an air fryer will save you half the time. In particular, you can make my meatloaf recipe in just about half an hour! Plus, the air fryer also reduces the use of oil, resulting in a less greasy and healthier dish.

Moreover, the recipe asks for extremely easy-to-find ingredients and has a trouble-free cleanup. Basically, you only need to prepare your ground meat of choice and a few simple spices.

What Are Key Tools for Perfect Air Fryer Meatloaf?

Here are the kitchen tools that I use for this recipe. As you can see, they are super basic!

  • Air fryer: Mine is the Pro I model from COSORI, but you can use the COSORI Pro II, which is the latest upgrade, or any kind of air fryer you like.
  • Mixing bowl: For mixing the ingredients.
  • Parchment paper: For lining the air fryer basket to prevent the meatloaf from sticking to it. Remember that you should only line the basket after you’ve preheated the device.
  • Food prep gloves: Wear them when you mix the meat mixture.
  • Knife and chopping board: For chopping and mincing the ingredients.
Kind Of Air Fryer

What Ingredients Are Must-Have for Air Fryer Meatloaf?

You’ll need the following ingredients to make a delectable air fryer meatloaf.

  • Ground meat: Use lean ground beef or pork as you like.
  • Breadcrumbs: You can make homemade breadcrumbs by cutting a sandwich into small pieces, air frying them for 3-4 minutes, then pulsing them in a food processor.
  • Milk: The breadcrumbs will soak up the milk and add moisture to the meatloaf.
  • Egg: Helps bind the meatloaf together and give it a stabler form.
  • Sesame seeds: Add a slightly sweet and nutty flavor to the basting sauce.
  • Olive oil: For making the basting sauce.
  • Sauces: Ketchup, oyster sauce, soy sauce.
  • Spices and aromatics: Garlic, onion, salt, pepper, sugar, and chili powder.
Homemade Breadcrumbs
Spices And Aromatics

Step-by-Step Air Fryer Meatloaf Instructions

Have you got all the required tools and ingredients? If yes, it’s time to cook a juicy and flavorsome meatloaf with 6 detailed steps!

Step 1: Prepare the Ingredients

Crack the egg into a separate bowl. You can also crack your egg directly into the meat, but a few eggshells might get stuck in it if you aren’t careful.

Chop 1 onion into small pieces and mince 0.35 ounces of garlic.

Crack The Egg

Step 2: Shape and Marinate the Meatloaf

Combine 0.88 pounds of ground beef or pork with:

  • Chopped onion
  • Minced garlic
  • 0.8 cups of milk
  • 1 ounce of breadcrumbs
  • 1 teaspoon of salt
  • 1 teaspoon of ground pepper
  • 1 egg

Mix everything well using your hands, then shape the mixture into a meatloaf. Let it marinate for 5 minutes.

Combine The Meat

Step 3: Cook the Meatloaf

First, preheat the air fryer for a couple of minutes.

Preheat The Air Fryer

Then, line the air fryer basket with parchment paper and carefully put your meatloaf. Air fry the meatloaf at 395 degrees F for 18 minutes.

Air Fryer Basket With Parchment Paper

Step 4: Make the Basting Sauce

While waiting for your meatloaf to cook, make the basting sauce. In a small bowl, mix together:

  • 2 teaspoons soy sauce
  • 2 teaspoons olive oil
  • 1 teaspoon sugar
  • 1 teaspoon sesame seeds
  • 2 teaspoons oyster sauce
  • 2 tablespoons ketchup

Stir well to combine.

Make The Basting Sauce

Step 5: Brush the Meatloaf with the Sauce

After 18 minutes, take the meatloaf out and brush it with the basting sauce. Then, air fry it at 395 degrees F for another 2 minutes.

Meatloaf Out And Brush

Step 6: Present the Dish

Place the cooked meatloaf on a plate and garnish with herbs. Enjoy the meatloaf while it is still hot with a slice of bread and fresh veggies.

Plate And Garnish With Herbs
Bread And Fresh Veggies

Some Handy Tips to Know

Since this recipe is really easy, I believe you’ll be able to make it without any problem. That said, there are a few tips that you should know.

Since This Recipe
  • Besides pork and beef, you can also use ground turkey or a combination of these types of meat for cooking meatloaf.
  • Store any leftovers in an airtight container and refrigerate. The meatloaf will last for up to 5 days this way.
  • The best way to check the meatloaf’s doneness is to use a thermometer. Insert the thermometer into the thickest part and make sure that it reads at least 160 degrees F.
  • You can shape the meatloaf in advance and store it uncooked in the fridge for about 1 to 2 days.
  • If you find the meatloaf a bit hard to slice after cooking, allow it to rest for about 5 to 10 minutes for the juice to redistribute.

Making Meatloaf At Home Is So Easy!

With the help of an air fryer, making delicious meatloaf has never been this easy. In just about half an hour, you’ll have this iconic American dish ready for dinner, lunch, or even breakfast. Better yet, you can use any kind of meat that you like.

What do you think about today’s air fryer recipe? How is it compared to the traditional oven-baked meatloaf? Don’t hesitate to write a comment and let me know your answers. Also, please share the recipe with the people you know.

Air Fryer Meatloaf Recipe

Air Fryer Meatloaf

Air fryer meatloaf is a quick and effortless dish that anyone can make in just half an hour. Follow my recipe to treat your loved ones to a juicy and flavorsome meatloaf!
5 from 2 votes
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Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American
Keyword: Air Fryer Meatloaf
Level of Difficulty: Easy
Dietary Preference: None
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 30 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Calories: 378kcal

Equipment

  • Air Fryer
  • Parchment Paper
  • Mixing Bowl
  • Food Prep Gloves
  • Knife
  • Chopping Board

Ingredients

  • 0.88 pounds ground beef or pork
  • 1 ounce breadcrumbs
  • 0.8 cups milk
  • 0.35 ounces garlic
  • 1 onion
  • 1 teaspoon ground pepper
  • 1 teaspoon sugar
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon chili powder
  • 1 teaspoon sesame seeds
  • 2 teaspoons soy sauce
  • 2 teaspoons oyster sauce
  • 2 teaspoons olive oil
  • 2 tablespoons ketchup
  • 1 egg

Instructions 

  • Chop the onion into small pieces and mince the garlic. Crack the egg into a separate bowl.
    Crack The Egg
  • Combine the meat with chopped onion, minced shallot, milk, breadcrumbs, salt, pepper, and egg. Mix well using your hands and shape the mixture into a meatloaf. Marinate for 5 minutes.
    Combine The Meat
  • First, preheat the air fryer for a couple of minutes.
    Preheat The Air Fryer
  • Line the air fryer basket with parchment paper and carefully put your meatloaf in. Air fry the meatloaf at 395 degrees F for 18 minutes.
    Air Fryer Basket With Parchment Paper
  • Add soy sauce, olive oil, sugar, sesame seeds, oyster sauce, and ketchup to a small bowl. Stir well
    Make The Basting Sauce
  • After 18 minutes, take the meatloaf out and brush it with the basting sauce. Air fry it at 395 degrees F for another 2 minutes.
    Meatloaf Out And Brush
  • Place the cooked meatloaf on a plate and garnish with herbs. Enjoy the meatloaf while it is still hot!
    Plate And Garnish With Herbs

Video

Notes

  • The total time is for making 1 meatloaf, which equals 4 servings.
  • Besides pork and beef, you can also use ground turkey or a combination of these types of meat for cooking meatloaf.
  • Store any leftovers in an airtight container and refrigerate. The meatloaf will last for up to 5 days this way.
  • The best way to check the meatloaf’s doneness is to use a thermometer. Insert the thermometer into the thickest part and make sure that it reads at least 160 degrees F.
  • You can shape the meatloaf in advance and store it uncooked in the fridge for about 1 to 2 days.
  • If you find the meatloaf a bit hard to slice after cooking, allow it to rest for about 5 to 10 minutes for the juice to redistribute.

Nutrition

Calories: 378kcal | Carbohydrates: 15g | Protein: 22g | Fat: 25g | Saturated Fat: 9g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 11g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 117mg | Sodium: 1061mg | Potassium: 468mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 7g | Vitamin A: 326IU | Vitamin C: 3mg | Calcium: 118mg | Iron: 3mg
Richie

Richie

Content Writer

Expertise

Home Cooking, Meal Planning, Food Styling, Food Photography, Cooking-video Maker, Beverage Evaluation Expert

Education

Saigon Culinary Arts Centre, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

  • Program: Diploma in Culinary Arts
  • Focus: Vietnamese and Asian cuisines with intensive training and hands-on approach.

Vietnam Australia Vocational School (VAAC), Hanoi, Vietnam

  • Program: Bartender
  • Focus: Basic knowledge on how to store, preserve and select ingredients, and practice cocktails, mocktails, hot and cold drinks.

Richie, based in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, is a dynamic Content Writer with a talent for capturing the essence of culinary art.

Richie specializes in creating visually appealing and tasty content, offering a new angle on Vietnamese and other culinary traditions. With a background in graphic design and a love for food styling and photography, he expertly combines beauty with food narratives, encouraging his audience to discover the culinary world through his imaginative perspective.

5 from 2 votes (2 ratings without comment)

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