Air Fryer Meatloaf Recipe

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This Air Fryer Meatloaf Recipe takes classic comfort food to new levels of simplicity!

Comfort food often means dealing with piles of messy pots and pans, but not with this easy-to-make recipe! In under an hour, you’ll have a perfectly seasoned meatloaf topped with a tangy glaze, all without the hassle.

Serve with Deviled Eggs, and you’ll feel like you’re enjoying a festive holiday feast.

Why this recipe works

1. Quick and Easy – The air fryer is a fantastic time saver, making this recipe a breeze to prepare.
2. Delicious Glaze – You’ll love the tangy glaze, which pairs perfectly with the meatloaf.
3. Family Favorite – This dish is always a crowd-pleaser at my home!
4. Meal-Prep – Double the recipe and freeze some for later in the month.

How long does it take to cook meatloaf in the air fryer

An air fryer is much like a convection oven. It cooks by blowing hot air around the food, keeping the temperature consistent throughout the cooking time. The food cooks faster because of the circulation and the small oven size.

Remember, every air fryer cooks differently. Use a meat thermometer to ensure the meatloaf is cooked through. It should be at 160 degrees after 20-25 minutes.

If you want more air fryer recipes, try my Cheese Sticks and Breakfast Potatoes.

Easy air fryer meatloaf ingredients

• Ground Beef – Remember, a little fat adds flavor and helps make a moist meatloaf. I recommend using 80/20, which is 80 percent lean and 20 percent fat. That might seem like a lot of fat, but much of it will be rendered out as it cooks.
• Oats – You can use either old-fashioned or quick oats when making meatloaf. They keep the texture light and help prevent the meatloaf from becoming dry. Use gluten-free oats if you have a gluten allergy.
• Onion – I recommend cutting the onion very fine so that the loaves stay intact, but if you have picky eaters at your house, try grating the onion.
• Spices – If you are out of thyme, substitute Italian seasoning.
• Olive Oil – Olive oil helps to brown the loaves.

How to make meatloaf in the air fryer

Preheat the air fryer – Set to 375 degrees.

Prepare the meatloaf mixture: To a large bowl, ground beef, oats, finely diced onion, egg, olive oil, minced garlic, salt, black pepper, thyme, chili powder, and cayenne pepper.

Shape the meatloaf: Divide the meat mixture into 4-6 equal portions. Shape each portion into a small loaf.

Air-fry the meatloaf: Place the mini meatloaves in the preheated air fryer basket, making sure they do not touch each other. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may need to cook them in batches. Cook for 15 minutes.

Prepare the glaze: While the mini meatloaves are cooking, mix the ketchup, brown sugar, and Worcestershire in a small bowl.

Glaze the meatloaf: After cooking for 15 minutes, open the basket and top each loaf with the glaze.

Continue cooking: Bake for an additional 5 – 10 minutes until the internal temperature reaches 160 degrees.

Rest and serve: Let the mini meatloaves rest for a few minutes before serving. Enjoy them with your favorite sides!

What to serve with meatloaf

Yes, I love serving meatloaf with mashed potatoes, but there are so many other options! This meatloaf has a little kick from the cayenne that pairs perfectly with mashed potatoes, hashbrowns casserole, stove top sweet potatoes, and maple glazed carrots.

Prefer something green? Roasted Brussels Sprouts are absolutely delicious with meatloaf.

Oven directions

1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
2. Add ground beef, oats, finely diced onion, egg, olive oil, minced garlic, salt, black pepper, thyme, chili powder, and cayenne pepper to a large bowl.
3. Form four equal-sized small mini meatloaves and carefully place them in an 8″ casserole dish.
4. Bake for 30 minutes.
5. While the mini meatloaves are cooking, mix the ketchup, brown sugar, and Worcestershire in a small bowl.
6. Remove and pour equal parts of sauce over each loaf.
7. Bake for an additional 5-10 minutes until the internal temperature is 165 degrees.
8. Serve immediately.

Storage

Refrigerator: Cool to room temperature, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days.

Freezer: Cool to room temperature, store in an airtight container, and freeze for up to 3 months.

Meal prepping meatloaf for the fridge and freezer:

For the Fridge:

1. Prepare Meatloaf Mixture: Follow your meatloaf recipe to prepare the mixture.
2. Shape and Store: Shape the meat mixture into a loaf or mini loaves. Place them in an airtight container or wrap them tightly in plastic wrap.
3. Refrigerate: Store the prepared, uncooked meatloaf in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. When ready to cook, follow the recipe instructions.

For the Freezer:

1. Prepare Meatloaf Mixture: Follow your meatloaf recipe to prepare the mixture.
2. Shape and Wrap: Shape the meat mixture into a loaf or mini loaves. Wrap each loaf tightly in plastic wrap and aluminum foil for extra protection.
3. Label and Freeze: Place the wrapped loaves in a freezer-safe bag or container. Label with the date. Freeze for up to 3 months.
4. Thaw and Cook: When ready to cook, thaw the meatloaf in the refrigerator overnight. Cook according to the recipe instructions.

More air fryer recipes

Buffalo Boneless Chicken Wings

Homemade Croutons

Mexican Pizza Recipe

Marinated Flank Steak

★ If you make this recipe, please give it a star rating below!

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