Air Fryer Meatloaf

Meatloaf in the air fryer? Who knew! This air fryer meatloaf recipe comes together in under an hour, with all the satisfying savory flavor of the original. Don’t skip the sweet and tangy glaze on top!

When it comes to weeknight dinners, it doesn’t get much easier than meatloaf. Mix everything together and you’re done. But, just like that old song goes, the waiting is the hardest part. A meatloaf in the oven can take an hour or longer to cook, depending on the size and oven temperature.

Once again, the air fryer saves the day! Just like air fryer meatballs, air fryer pork chops, and air fryer chicken breasts, air fryer meatloaf cooks a lot faster thanks to the convection method used by air fryers. 

When you remove it from the fryer, you’ll get meatloaf that’s cooked through perfectly in just 35 minutes, and that has a satisfyingly crisp exterior and a perfectly tangy/sweet caramelized glaze.

Reasons to Love Air Fryer Meatloaf

• Meatloaf in nearly half the time. When you’re trying to squeeze in dinner between karate classes and homework, time is of the essence and a regular meatloaf recipe just isn’t going to cut it. Air fryer meatloaf is ideal for busy nights, especially when you have a meatloaf in the freezer ready to cook.
• Convenience without sacrifice. Let’s be real: sometimes we sacrifice flavor just to get dinner on the table faster. (I mean, isn’t that basically the entire purpose of the microwave?!) This air fryer meatloaf is as good as traditional meatloaf and if you’re partial to that crispy layer on the outside, you might even like it better!
• Hearty and healthy. Although I do share some variations below, as written this is pretty much your classic meatloaf recipe, with breadcrumbs, veggies, seasonings, and ketchup folded into the meat mixture, and a sweet, tangy glaze on top. Very finely minced carrots, onions, and celery add moisture, flavor, and extra nutrition.

Ingredients you’ll need

• Ground Beef: I recommend using 85/15 for meatloaf that’s flavorful, neither too dry nor too greasy.
• Ground Pork: A combination of meats is best for meatloaf; I pair beef with pork here, but turkey or veal would also work. We tested this with a lot of different combinations and found beef + pork was superior.
• Yellow Onion: A white onion or shallots can be swapped in but yellow onion is the most popular choice for meatloaf recipes, including this air fryer meatloaf.
• Carrot: If you happen to have baby carrots in the fridge, you can use those and skip the peeling and cutting.
• Celery: The third ingredient in our trio of veggies. These additions add savory flavor—and sneak in a little extra nutrition too.
• Garlic: If you like your meatloaf extra garlicky, feel free to add another clove or two.
• Panko Bread Crumbs: Use panko if you have it on hand, but if you don’t, sub in oats or regular bread crumbs. Your call! Did you know it’s easy to turn slightly stale bread into homemade bread crumbs?
• Fresh Parsley: I mix some in with the meatloaf and add more for garnish after I take the meatloaf out of the air fryer.
• Ketchup: Ketchup adds some subtle tomato flavor and a little bit of sweetness to balance all the savory flavors in the dish.
• Worcestershire Sauce: An umami powerhouse! Worcestershire sauce is an absolute flavor bomb and always a good pairing with ground meat.
• Kosher Salt and Ground Black Pepper: For maximum flavor, grind the black pepper fresh.
• Ketchup, Brown Sugar, and Red Wine Vinegar create a delicious, sticky meatloaf glaze—or swap in apple cider vinegar if that’s what you have in your pantry.

How to make This meatloaf Recipe

Pulse the onion, celery, carrot, and garlic in your food processor until they’re finely minced. You should have about a half cup of minced vegetables. Scrape them into a large mixing bowl.

Add the ground meat, panko, parsley, ketchup, Worcestershire sauce, salt, and pepper to the bowl. Mix to combine but be careful not to overwork the mixture. It should just be blended together, enough to hold its shape.

Form the meat mixture into 2 flat loaves about 7 inches by 3 to 4 inches, roughly 1-inch thick.

TIP: You could make one large loaf but I’ve found that smaller, flatter meatloaves cook more quickly and evenly than one large meatloaf and are less prone to burning on the outside.

Cook in the air fryer at 350ºF for 25 to 30 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 155ºF.

Brush or spoon the meat loaves with the glaze and cook for an additional 3 to 4 minutes, or until the glaze is caramelized and the internal temperature reaches 165ºF. Watch closely. The glaze can burn rather quickly.

Rest the meat for 5 to 10 minutes before slicing it. If you slice it too soon, the slices tend to fall apart a bit. Serve with your favorite sides (keep reading for serving suggestions).

FAQs

What to Serve With Meatloaf

You can’t go wrong with meatloaf and potatoes. Try crockpot mashed potatoes, crispy roasted potatoes, or stovetop scalloped potatoes.

Round things out with a vegetable. Add roasted broccoli, roasted green beans, or sautéed spinach. German red cabbage or sautéed green cabbage are good go-alongs, too.

Pasta salad goes well with meatloaf, too. Try grilled ratatouille pasta salad or bruschetta orzo pasta salad.

Flavor Variations

• Italian-Style Meatloaf: Instead of ground pork, swap in Italian sausage. You can also add grated Parmesan cheese and chopped fresh basil to the mix, then use marinara instead of the glaze.
• Tex-Mex Meatloaf: Switch out the celery and carrots for red bell pepper and a jalapeño. Use crushed tortilla chips instead of panko, cilantro instead of parsley, and add chili powder for flavor. Swap salsa for the glaze or top the meatloaf with Monterey Jack cheese.
• BBQ Meatloaf: Use your favorite barbecue sauce instead of ketchup.
• Oven Baked Meatloaf: Try my classic meatloaf recipe or mini turkey meatloaf sheet pan dinner, a one pan meal with meat, potatoes, and carrots all baked on one pan. Southwestern mini meatloaves are a fun alternative; they’re muffin-sized meatloaves!

Make Ahead Ideas

Make a meatloaf for now, freeze one for later! Often ground meat comes in one pound packages. If you make a double batch, you’ll use the whole package, rather than ½ pound of each.

Here’s how to do it: Double the meatloaf mixture (use the servings adjuster in the recipe card and we’ll do the math for you!) and form it into 4 loaves. Cook the first two right away, then freeze the other two on a parchment-lined baking sheet until they’re solid. Wrap them tightly and freeze them for up to 3 months.

There’s no need to thaw the meatloaf before cooking it. Put them in the air fryer frozen, set at 350ºF. Air fry for 40 to 45 minutes, or until the internal temperature is around 155ºF, then glaze and cook for an additional 3 to 4 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 165ºF.

Storage & Reheating Tips

• Refrigerate: Store leftover meatloaf wrapped or in an airtight container for 3 to 4 days in the refrigerator.
• Freeze: You can also freeze cooked meatloaf for up to 3 months; thaw it in the fridge overnight before reheating.
• Reheat: Individual portions can be reheated in the microwave. Meatloaf can also be eaten cold in sandwiches or salads.

Leftover Love

Make a meatloaf sandwich: A simple sandwich with a slice of cold meatloaf stuffed between a couple slices of bread or in a bun is one of my favorites.

If you prefer a warm sandwich, top the meatloaf with caramelized onions and sharp cheddar. Brush the bread slices with garlic butter, if desired, and grill the sandwich on a griddle or in your air fryer until it’s nice and toasty.