Meatloaf In The Air Fryer: A Quick, Crispy Treat

Air fryers are a convenient alternative to traditional ovens for preparing meatloaf. Not only does it reduce the cooking time by half, but it also yields a juicy, tender, and flavourful meatloaf. The ideal temperature for cooking meatloaf in an air fryer is 350°F for 30 minutes, with an internal temperature of 160°F. The air fryer's small size is perfect for a one-pound meatloaf, which would otherwise become too dark on the outside if cooked in a larger quantity. The fat drips away from the loaf, preventing burning and making cleanup a breeze.

What ingredients are needed to make meatloaf in an air fryer?

Making meatloaf in an air fryer is a quick and easy way to get dinner on the table. The ingredients you'll need are:

• Ground beef—most recipes call for 1-2 pounds of 80/20 or 85/15 lean ground beef, but you can also use ground chicken or turkey if you prefer.
• Breadcrumbs—regular breadcrumbs are recommended over panko, but some recipes call for tearing up slices of bread into small pieces instead.
• Eggs—these help bind the meatloaf together.
• Milk—this helps keep the meatloaf moist.
• Onion—you can use fresh, dried, or powdered onion.
• Seasonings—the most common seasonings include salt, pepper, garlic powder, Italian seasoning, and Worcestershire sauce. You can also add in fresh or dried herbs like basil or thyme, or spices like paprika or red pepper flakes.
• Toppings/glaze—a traditional meatloaf glaze can be made by mixing ketchup, brown sugar, apple cider vinegar, and Worcestershire sauce. You can also top your meatloaf with a combination of ketchup and BBQ sauce, or just use BBQ sauce on its own.

Some recipes also include prepared horseradish, mustard, or cheese in the middle of the loaf.

How long does it take to cook meatloaf in an air fryer?

Air fryers are a great way to cook meatloaf, offering a quick and easy method that doesn't compromise on flavour. The cooking time will depend on the type of air fryer you have, the size of your meatloaf, and the temperature you are cooking at.

Most recipes suggest cooking your meatloaf in the air fryer for around 30 minutes. This is based on a temperature of 350°F, which is widely considered the best temperature to cook meatloaf in an air fryer. However, some recipes suggest cooking for slightly longer, around 35 minutes, or slightly less, at 25 minutes.

It is important to ensure your meatloaf is cooked through. To check this, use a meat thermometer to ensure the internal temperature of the meatloaf has reached 160°F. If it hasn't, return to the air fryer and cook for a little longer.

Tips for Cooking Meatloaf in an Air Fryer

• Don't try to cook your meatloaf too fast. Keep the temperature at 350°F or 370°F for the duration of the cooking time.
• Rest your meatloaf. After cooking, let it rest for at least 5 minutes, ideally 10. This allows the juices to redistribute and the meatloaf to firm up, making it easier to slice.
• Use a thermometer. This is the best way to check that your meatloaf is cooked through.
• Don't overmix your meat. Mix together all the wet ingredients and seasonings first, then add in any breadcrumbs, and finally, your meat. This ensures everything is evenly dispersed without overworking the meat.
• Don't line your air fryer basket with foil. This can cause the meatloaf to stick and stops the fat from dripping away from the meat.
• Check your meatloaf regularly. Air fryers vary, so start checking your meatloaf after 15 minutes of cooking time.

What temperature should the air fryer be set to?

The ideal temperature to cook meatloaf in an air fryer is 350°F. This temperature is generally true for all types of meat, be it beef, turkey, pork, or veal. At this temperature, the meatloaf will be cooked in 20-30 minutes.

However, different air fryers may have slightly different cooking temperatures. For example, one source recommends keeping the temperature at 370°F for the entire duration of cooking.

It is important to ensure that the meatloaf is cooked thoroughly. To check this, stick a meat thermometer into the middle of the loaf and ensure that the internal temperature is at least 155-165°F. Then, let the meatloaf rest for a few minutes. This will allow the juices to redistribute, making the meatloaf nice and juicy when sliced.

How do you make meatloaf in an air fryer?

How to Make Meatloaf in an Air Fryer

Ingredients

You will need the following ingredients to make a meatloaf in an air fryer:

• Ground beef
• Breadcrumbs
• Milk
• Egg
• Salt
• Pepper
• Onion
• Thyme
• Ketchup
• Apple cider vinegar
• Light brown sugar
• Worcestershire sauce
• Cooking spray

Method

First, preheat your air fryer to 350°F. While the air fryer is preheating, prepare the meatloaf mixture by combining the breadcrumbs, milk, ground beef, onion, egg, thyme, salt, and pepper in a bowl. Be careful not to overmix the ingredients. Form the mixture into a loaf shape and place it in the air fryer basket. You can line the basket with foil or parchment paper for easier cleanup, but this is optional.

Next, make the glaze by mixing ketchup, apple cider vinegar, light brown sugar, and Worcestershire sauce. After the meatloaf has cooked for about 15 minutes, brush the glaze on top.

Cook the meatloaf for a total of 20-25 minutes, or until an instant-read thermometer inserted into the centre reaches 155°F.

Finally, remove the meatloaf from the air fryer and let it rest for 5 minutes before slicing and serving.

Tips

• If the top of the meatloaf is browning too quickly, cover it with aluminium foil.
• Use a leaner type of ground beef (85-93% lean) to reduce the amount of grease and smoke.
• Don't overmix the meat, as this can make it tough.
• Let the meatloaf rest for at least 5 minutes after cooking to allow the juices to redistribute.
• Mix all the ingredients except the meat first, and add the meat last.
• Use a meat thermometer to check that the meatloaf is fully cooked. It should reach an internal temperature of 160°F.

What can you serve with air fryer meatloaf?

There are many side dishes that go well with air fryer meatloaf. Here are some ideas:

• Mashed potatoes
• Scalloped potatoes
• Roasted potatoes
• Twice-baked potatoes
• Broccoli
• Spinach
• White button mushrooms
• Green beans
• Fried rice
• Mac and cheese
• Scalloped potatoes
• Glazed carrots
• Dinner rolls
• Salad

You can also serve your meatloaf with a side of extra glaze/sauce.

Frequently asked questions