Air Fryer Meatloaf Recipe – Moist & Juicy Every Time!

When I first purchased an air fryer, I didn’t even consider making meatloaf in it. My only intention of using it was to make foods that were traditionally deep-fried.

However, when I moved to a new home and had to wait for my oven to be delivered, I decided to get creative and give it a try. And I couldn’t be happier with the results!

The meatloaf was perfectly cooked and nice and moist on the inside. However the outer layer had a nice caramelized crust that tasted amazing!

It was a total different taste than when I made Meatloaf and Mashed Potatoes in my Instant Pot. Although the meat tasted great, the exterior was just as moist as the interior.

However, when I used my air fryer it tasted just as good, if not even better than than when I make it in the oven! Although there are a few key tips to know before you attempt to make it in the air fryer that will help it turn out perfect each and every time.

Recipe Tips For Making Meatloaf In An Air Fryer

1. Saute the Onions

There is nothing worse than spending the time to make meatloaf and have it turn out dry and crumbly. In order to prevent that from happening be sure to saute the onions before adding them to the meat mixture.

Once the onions begin to heat up, they will release liquid and become soft. This added liquid will then be distributed throughout the meatloaf, helping to make the meat nice and moist.

2. Use 1 Pound of Ground Beef

Although you may be tempted to use your favorite, go-to, family size meatloaf recipe and cook it in the air fryer, think twice. Unfortunately most air fryers are too small to properly cook a meatloaf that large.

Therefore be sure to use only 1 pound of ground beef to ensure that the meat gets properly cooked. Otherwise the inside of the meatloaf will be undercooked and the outside will become too brown.

3. Use Lean Ground Beef

For best results, use lean ground beef to prevent the grease from dripping and smoking in the bottom of your air fryer. It is best to use at least 90/10 lean to fat ground beef.

However you can also use 93/7 ground beef mixture, although to ensure that it stays nice and moist, you will need to add a little more liquid to the recipe (see tip #4).

4. Add More Liquid If Using Ground Turkey or Chicken

If you do use a super lean meat (including ground beef with a 93/7 lean to fat ratio) to make your air fryer meatloaf, you will need to add one additional teaspoon of liquid to the recipe. You could add more Worcestershire sauce, ketchup or even beef stock if you prefer.

5. Don’t Over Mix The Meat

Just like when making Oven Baked Meatloaf, it is important to not over mix the ingredients. Doing so will cause the meatloaf to turn very dense and tough.

To prevent over mixing, start by combining all of the ingredients except the meat itself. This will help prevent you from over working the entire mixture, trying to get the ingredients well distributed.

In addition, instead of using your hands, it is best to use two forks to mix the meat into the other ingredients. This will help prevent the urge to squeeze the stands of meat, making the fibers compressed.

However, if you absolutely insist on using your hands, mix it with your fingers extended. This allow you to combine the ingredients without squeezing it between your fingers.

6. Use Foil

Because meatloaf releases a lot of liquid when cooked, grease will drip through the holes of the basket to the bottom of the air fryer drip tray. After several minutes of cooking, you will notice that it begins to smoke.

Therefore it is best if you line the basket of your air fryer with aluminum foil or a solid piece of parchment paper. Some others have told me that they have placed a piece of bread in the drip tray to catch the liquid/grease as well.

Although I do that when making Air Fryer Bacon, I have found that because of the longer cook time required with meatloaf, I had to replace the bread half way through cooking.

Therefore I find it simply easier to line the basket itself.

7. Add The Topping Later

For added flavor and to achieve that exterior caramelization barbecue sauce is added to the top of the meatloaf. However, be sure to add it after the meatloaf has been cooking in the air fryer for 20 minutes.

If you add the barbecue sauce at the beginning of the cook time, it will have too much time to bake and become too dark and bitter tasting.

Therefore, let the meatloaf cook for the 20 minutes, then spread the top with the sauce. Continue to cook until the meatloaf is done.

7. Use An Instant Read Digital Thermometer

The only way to tell if the meatloaf is done is to insert an instant read digital thermometer in the center of the meat. It is safe to take the meatloaf out of the air fryer once it reaches 160°F.

As it rests, it will continue to cook and reach the desired temperature of 165°F.

Air Fryer Meatloaf Recipe

*Specific measurements and complete recipe instructions are located in a printable recipe card at the bottom of this article. However, be sure to continue to read the tips and tricks to making this recipe below.

INGREDIENTS

• 1 tsp. extra virgin olive oil
• 1/2 small onion, diced
• 1/4 cup breadcrumbs
• 1 Tbsp. ketchup
• 1 tsp. Worcestershire sauce
• 1 tsp. Italian seasoning
• 1/2 tsp. garlic powder
• 1/2 tsp. salt
• 1/4 tsp. pepper
• 1 egg, lightly beaten
• 1 lb. ground beef, lean
• 1 Tbsp. barbecue sauce

INSTRUCTIONS

Line the air fryer basket with aluminum foil and set aside.

In a medium skillet over medium heat add the oil and then add the onion and saute until softened, about 5 minutes. Transfer onion to a large mixing bowl.

Add the breadcrumbs, ketchup, Worcestershire sauce, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, salt, pepper and egg to the onions. Mix until the ingredients are well incorporated.

Then add the ground beef mixture to the bowl. Use two forks to gently mix the ingredients just until incorporated. Be careful not to over mix.

Preheat air fryer at 375°F per manufacturer’s instructions. Transfer meat to the prepared air fryer basket and shape into a 4×6 inch loaf.

Cook Time Required

Cook at 375°F. for 20 minutes. Remove meatloaf from oven and spread the barbecue sauce on top.

Return meatloaf to air fryer and continue to cook at 375°F. for 8-10 more minutes or until a digital thermometer reads 165°F in the center of the loaf.

Remove meatloaf from air fryer and let rest for 10-15 minutes before serving.

ENJOY! Mary

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