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Air fryer meatloaf is juicy on the inside and crispy on the outside. Plus, making meatloaf in an air fryer is faster than the oven! You are going to love this classic meatloaf recipe in the air fryer.

Plate of meatloaf and salad in front of platter of air fried meatloaf.

Other meatloaf recipes we love are spicy meatloaf, Instant Pot Meatloaf, Sweet and Spicy Meatloaf and meatloaf muffins.

If you are looking for more air fryer inspiration, try our recipes for Garlic Herb Air Fryer Pork Tenderloin, Air Fryer Drumsticks, Air Fryer Chicken Parmesan, and Air Fryer Whole Chicken.

A picture showing the cover images for all three cookbooks written by Aileen Clark.

Making meatloaf in an air fryer

If you want to try air frying meatloaf, it is very similar to making it in the oven. You start with a combination of ground beef, onion, garlic, spices, egg, bread crumbs, and milk. Mix it all together and form it into a loaf.

Instead of using a loaf pan, you will place it into the air fryer without a pan, so it won’t be quite as uniform. It sure tastes good though, so it’s worth it!

Cook it on a lower heat than you would in the oven because the outside has the tendency to want to burn. I made this meatloaf three times before I found the right temperature that cooked it thoroughly without burning it. That sweet spot is 330 degrees.

Basket Air Fryer or Air Fryer Oven?

I made this meatloaf in my basket style air fryer. It is only a 1-pound meatloaf, so it will fit in smaller air fryers. It can also be made in an air fryer oven with the same directions.

I have found that most recipes cook at the same time and temperature whether in a basket or oven air fryer. An air fryer oven just has more room to accommodate larger portions or a larger cut of meat (like this recipe for air fryer whole rotisserie chicken). However, some air fryer ovens do cook slightly slower, so it is important to check the internal temperature of your meat before serving.

Sliced meatloaf topped with ketchup on a white plate.

Do I need to use foil or parchment?

No, there is no need to use foil or parchment when making meatloaf in your air fryer. I have found it is better to actually skip those items because a good amount of grease drips down from the meatloaf and you don’t want it to pool at the bottom of the meatloaf. Instead, let it drip down underneath and carefully lift it out with a spatula.

Can I make a 2 pound meatloaf?

Yes, you can double this recipe, as long as you have room in your air fryer. As you can see in the picture below in the recipe card, I could easily fit a 2 pound meatloaf in my air fryer. I wrote and tested this recipe with a 1 pound meatloaf to accommodate readers who have a smaller air fryer.

White plate with two slices of meatloaf and a green salad.

To double this recipe, increase your cook time to 40-45 minutes and check your meatloaf with a meat thermometer to ensure it has cooked all the way through. It should be 160°F.