Juicy Air Fryer Meatloaf

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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 TenderloinAir Fryer DrumsticksAir Fryer Chicken Parmesan, and Air Fryer Whole Chicken.

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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! 

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Cooked meatloaf on a white plate.

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.

What to serve with air fryer meatloaf?

We love serving meatloaf with buttered carrots, air fryer broccoli, or air fryer Brussels sprouts. They are also amazing with instant pot garlic mashed potatoes or cauliflower mashed potatoes.

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Side view of cooked meatloaf slathered in ketchup.

Air Fryer Meatloaf Recipe

Aileen Clark
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.
4.32 from 16 votes
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Additional Time 10 minutes
Total Time 55 minutes
Course Main Dish Recipes
Cuisine American
Servings 4
Calories 400 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 1 pound ground beef
  • 1/2 cup ketchup divided
  • 1/2 cup breadcrumbs
  • 1/4 cup diced yellow onion
  • 1/4 cup milk
  • 2 large eggs
  • 2 garlic cloves minced
  • 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper

Instructions
 

  • Preheat air fryer to 330°F.
  • Combine all ingredients except 1/4 cup ketchup in a large bowl.
    Ingredients for meatloaf in a metal bowl.
  • Mix well until fully combined.
    Ground beef in a metal bowl.
  • Form into a loaf and place into preheated air fryer.
    Raw meatloaf inside basket of air fryer.
  • Set air fryer to 30 minutes at 330°F.
  • Brush remaining 1/4 cup ketchup on top of meatloaf during the last 5 minutes of cooking.
    Cooked meatloaf with ketchup brushed on top inside air fryer basket.
  • Remove meatloaf from air fryer and let rest for 10 minutes.
  • Slice and serve.
    Sliced meatloaf topped with ketchup on a white plate.

Notes

Cooked meatloaf may be refrigerated up to 3 days and frozen up to 3 months.

Nutrition

Serving: 1sliceCalories: 400kcalCarbohydrates: 13gProtein: 35gFat: 23gSaturated Fat: 8gPolyunsaturated Fat: 11gTrans Fat: 1gCholesterol: 195mgSodium: 1032mgFiber: 1gSugar: 8g
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Collage photo of slices of meatloaf.

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4.32 from 16 votes (16 ratings without comment)

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