Air Fryer Meatloaf: A Quick And Easy Dinner Solution

Air fryer meatloaf is a quick and easy meal that can be made in under 35 minutes. It's perfect for busy weeknights when you don't want to turn on the oven. The air fryer creates a tender, moist meatloaf with a tasty crust. You can use ground beef, turkey, or chicken, and add your own glaze or seasoning for a personalised touch.

How to make a meatloaf in an air fryer

Ingredients:

• Lean ground beef
• Milk
• Large egg
• Bread
• Onion powder
• Garlic powder
• Worcestershire sauce
• Dry ground mustard
• Salt and pepper
• BBQ sauce
• Ketchup

Optional:

• Olive oil nonstick cooking spray
• Chopped fresh thyme
• Apple cider vinegar
• Light brown sugar

Method:

Firstly, preheat your air fryer to 350°F.

In a large bowl, combine all the ingredients for the meatloaf. You can use your clean hands for this. Don't overwork the meat, just mix until combined.

Spray a 5-7 quart air fryer basket with olive oil nonstick cooking spray. Shape the meat into a loaf shape (at an angle) in the air fryer basket. Make sure the loaf isn't too thick, or it won't cook all the way through. Try to make the shape as even as possible from end to end.

While the meatloaf is cooking, prepare the glaze by mixing together the ketchup and BBQ sauce in a small bowl.

Air fry at 350°F for 15 minutes. After 15 minutes, brush some of the glaze onto the loaf. Air fry for another 10 minutes at the same temperature. The meatloaf is done when it reaches an internal temperature of 160°F.

Allow the meatloaf to rest for about 5 minutes. Then slice and serve with the leftover glaze.

Tips:

• If you don't have an air fryer, you can also make this meatloaf in an oven, instant pot, or crockpot.
• You don't need to preheat the air fryer.
• Use a large spatula to remove the meatloaf from the air fryer basket.
• Use lean ground beef to keep the grease down and help the loaf stick together. 93% lean beef is ideal, but you could probably get away with 85%.
• You can use regular onion instead of onion powder. You could also add finely diced green peppers.
• The glaze is totally optional. You can use just ketchup or BBQ sauce, or neither.
• This recipe works best with a basket-style air fryer.
• The mixture will seem very wet, but this is normal and will result in a moist meatloaf.
• If your air fryer starts smoking, add a couple of tablespoons of water to the bottom of the basket.
• Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to four days, or freeze for up to three months.

How to make a glaze for a meatloaf

A glaze can make your meatloaf moist and delicious. Here are some steps to make a glaze for your meatloaf, followed by some specific glaze recipes.

Steps to Make a Glaze for a Meatloaf

• Prepare the ingredients: The ingredients for a glaze can include ketchup, brown sugar, lemon juice, mustard, apple cider vinegar, Worcestershire sauce, and/or balsamic vinegar.
• Mix the ingredients: In a small bowl, mix the ingredients for the glaze until you get a smooth mixture.
• Apply the glaze: You can apply the glaze to your meatloaf in two ways. You can spread the glaze evenly over the uncooked meatloaf before baking it. Or, you can brush the glaze onto the meatloaf towards the end of the cooking time.

Specific Glaze Recipes

Ketchup, Mustard, and Brown Sugar Glaze

Mix together 2 tablespoons of yellow mustard, 1/3 cup of ketchup, and 1 tablespoon of brown sugar.

Balsamic Brown Sugar Glaze

Mix together 2 tablespoons of ketchup, 1/2 tablespoon of balsamic vinegar, and 1/2 tablespoon of brown sugar.

Tangy Glaze

Mix together 1 tablespoon of ketchup, 1/2 teaspoon of apple cider vinegar, 1/2 teaspoon of light brown sugar, and 1/4 teaspoon of Worcestershire sauce.

How to store and reheat meatloaf

Storing and reheating meatloaf is simple. To store, wrap the meatloaf tightly in plastic wrap or aluminium foil, or place it in an airtight container. It can be kept in the fridge for up to four days or in the freezer for up to three months.

When reheating, it's important to ensure the internal temperature reaches at least 165°F to guarantee food safety. You can use a meat thermometer to check this. Here are some different methods for reheating your meatloaf:

Air Fryer

Preheat your air fryer to around 350°F. Take the meatloaf out of the fridge and place it on a microwave-safe plate or dish. If your meatloaf is sliced, lay the pieces out individually for more even heating. Cover the meatloaf loosely with aluminium foil to prevent it from drying out. Reheat for 5-10 minutes, checking the internal temperature periodically.

Oven

Preheat your oven to around 350°F. Place your leftover meatloaf slices in a small, shallow dish and sprinkle with a tablespoon of beef broth. Cover the dish with aluminium foil and place in the centre of the oven. Reheat for 20-25 minutes.

Microwave

Place the meatloaf slices in a single layer on a microwave-safe dish. Cover with a damp paper towel to prevent the meatloaf from drying out. Reheat on medium power in short intervals, checking the temperature and rotating the slices regularly.

Skillet or Frying Pan

Place your skillet or frying pan over medium-low heat and add a tablespoon of oil and 1/4 cup of beef broth. Add the meatloaf slices and cook for 2 minutes, then flip and cook for another 2 minutes. Turn up the heat to evaporate any remaining liquid and crisp up the outside of the slices.

Steamer Basket

Add 2" of water to your pan and bring to a simmer. Spray the meatloaf slices with oil to prevent them from sticking, then place in a steamer basket over the simmering water. Cover and steam for 3-4 minutes. Remove the slices and place on a paper towel to remove excess water.

What to serve with meatloaf

Meatloaf is a classic dish that can be served with a variety of sides. Here are some ideas to elevate your meal:

Mashed potatoes

Mashed potatoes are a popular choice to serve with meatloaf. They complement the rich flavours of the meatloaf, creating a balance of flavours and textures that's simply irresistible. For an extra tangy twist, try adding some goat cheese to your mashed potatoes.

Roasted vegetables

Roasted vegetables such as carrots, green beans, bell peppers, and butternut squash can add a burst of colour to your plate. The caramelised edges of the roasted veggies bring out their natural sweetness, which pairs nicely with the savoury notes of the meatloaf.

Garlic green beans

For a palate-cleansing element to balance the hearty meatloaf, serve some tender-crisp green beans with a hint of garlic.

Caesar salad

A crisp Caesar salad can also make a nice pairing with meatloaf. The crisp lettuce, tangy dressing, and crunchy croutons provide a nice contrast to the dense meatloaf.

Macaroni and cheese

Mac and cheese is another classic side dish that goes well with meatloaf. The comforting, cheesy goodness of mac and cheese pairs wonderfully with the comforting qualities of meatloaf, creating a truly satisfying meal.

Baked beans

Baked beans are sweet, smoky, and savoury, making them a perfect pairing with meat. This no-fuss side dish is great for cozy winter nights or summer barbecues, but especially delicious when ladled on top of a slice of meatloaf.

Other ideas

• Rice - plain or as a pilaf
• Pasta - try buttered egg noodles
• Steamed or roasted vegetables - broccoli, cauliflower, carrots, peas, corn, or asparagus
• Creamed pearl onions
• Cornbread
• Mini quiches
• Yellow rice

How to prevent meatloaf from drying out

There are several ways to prevent meatloaf from drying out when using an air fryer. Firstly, it is important to use lean meat to cut down on grease. Secondly, the meatloaf mixture should seem wet before shaping it into a loaf, as this will help it retain moisture during cooking. Thirdly, avoid preheating the air fryer basket if shaping the meatloaf in it to prevent burning yourself. Fourthly, use a meat thermometer to ensure the meatloaf is cooked to the correct internal temperature of 160°F. Finally, let the meatloaf rest for a few minutes after cooking to allow the juices to redistribute, resulting in a juicy meatloaf.

Frequently asked questions