This easy air fryer meatloaf takes 30 minutes to cook and is topped with a simple & sweet tomato sauce. This turns out moist and flavorful without a ton of work.
Meatloaf is a family-friendly comfort food if one ever existed. So often it is associated with a loving family dinner. It is a meal that is always best cooked at home instead of ordered at a restaurant.
I think this is what makes meatloaf so much more popular in home kitchens yet not so popular at restaurants.
This mindset appealed to me when I was looking at my next air fried dinner. I was looking for a comfort food that was a main dish that would taste great. I didn’t want to mess with this particular recipe too much. I wanted traditional seasonings and flavors, but I also wanted to use the air fryer.
Much like our air fryer drumsticks, this is a new family favorite!
Ingredient Notes:
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Meat– You will need lean ground beef for a good, non-greasy meatloaf.
Loaf- To hold it all together we will use some Italian seasoned bread crumbs, egg, milk, and onion.
Seasonings– We season them with a garlic clove, Worcestershire sauce, salt, pepper, garlic powder, and ground mustard.
The sauce topping– For the sauce, we keep it easy. You will need ketchup, Worcestershire sauce, brown sugar, salt, and pepper.
How to Make Meatloaf in the Air Fryer:
- Grab a large bowl and add all of the ingredients for the meatloaf to the bowl.
- Use a rubber spatula or a large wooden spoon to stir all of the ingredients together until they are combined well. You can also use your hands for this if you don’t mind getting a bit messy.
- Cut a piece of parchment paper to the size of the bottom of your air fryer. Place your meat mixture onto this parchment paper and shape it into a loaf.
- Place the parchment paper and the loaf into your air fryer basket, and cook it for 20 minutes.
- Do a quick check of your meatloaf after 10 minutes to see if the top is browning. If it is, cover the top of the loaf with a small strip of foil.
- While this is cooking, whisk together the sauce ingredients in a small bowl.
- After the meatloaf is cooked for 20 minutes, remove the basket and brush the sauce on the top and sides of the meatloaf.
- Return to the air fryer and cook for 10 more minutes or until the meatloaf is 160 degrees Fahrenheit in the middle.
- Slice and serve!
Common meatloaf questions:
Yes, our meatloaf often looks pink even when it’s fully cooked. Adding vegetables and seasonings can cause this. We always recommend using an internal thermometer to check the temperature of your meatloaf.
The center of the meatloaf should be 160 degrees F.
Yes! We eat cold meatloaf sandwiches the next day – white bread and mayo are all that is needed, but feel free to dress it up however you like.
If you store your meatloaf in an air-tight container, you can keep it in the fridge for up to a few days.
Air Fryer Selection
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What Is the Best to Serve With Meatloaf?
There is not perfect answer here that fits everyone.
I often go with baked potatoes and find that air fryer baked potatoes are the best.
If you want to avoid potatoes asparagus or butternut squash are fantastic also!
Add to it a side salad or cottage cheese and your meal is complete!
Make it an air fried meal:
- Cheese stuffed crescent rolls
- Air Fryer Potato Wedges
- Roasted sweet potato cubes
- Air Fryer Broccoli Cheese Casserole
- Air Fryer Cookies
Air Fryer Meatloaf
Equipment
Ingredients
For the meatloaf:
- 1 1/2 pounds lean ground beef
- 2/3 cup Italian seasoned bread crumbs
- 1 large egg
- 1/2 cup milk
- 1/2 cup chopped onion
- 1 garlic clove minced
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon ground mustard
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
For the sauce:
- 1/2 cup ketchup
- 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 teaspoon brown sugar
- pinch of salt and pepper
Instructions
- Preheat the air fryer to 380 degrees for 5 minutes.
- In a large bowl, combine all of the ingredients for the meatloaf. Using a rubber spatula, or large spoon, stir the ingredients so they are all well combined. Place meat mixture onto parchment paper, and shape into a loaf.
- Place the parchment paper with loaf on it into the air fryer basket. Cook at 380 degrees for 20 minutes. Check halfway to make sure the top isn’t getting too browned. If it appears to be, cover the top of the meatloaf with a small strip of foil.
- While meatloaf is cooking, whisk together the sauce ingredients in a small bowl until the sugar has dissolved.
- Once the meatloaf is done cooking, remove the tray and brush on the sauce, covering the top and all sides. Return to the air fryer and continue cooking for an additional 10 minutes or until the meatloaf reaches 160 degrees.
- Slice and serve while hot.
Notes
Nutrition
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Comments & Reviews
Patricia Meredith says
I am so glad you are doing this for people Karly. I am going on 82 and even though I have been cooking for more years then I care to say, I still need help. These new type of cooking devises are hard for me to figure out and you make it so much easier for me so Thank You, Thank You, Thank You.
Karly says
Thanks, Patricia! So glad you find the recipes helpful! 🙂