Air Fryer Meatloaf

This air fryer meatloaf is perfectly juicy and moist, and cooks in a fraction of the time! I love the sweet and tangy glaze that takes it to another level.

Looking for more air fryer recipes? Try air fryer chicken wings, air fryer chicken breast, and air fryer salmon bites.

We are a meatloaf-loving family; if there is one thing that grinds our gears, it is a dry and overcooked meatloaf.

Enter- the air fryer. After successfully making other ground beef staples like air fryer meatballs and air fryer hamburgers, it was a no-brainer to whip up a classic meatloaf in the air fryer.

Table of Contents

1. Why I love this recipe
2. Ingredients needed
3. How to make air fryer meatloaf
4. How to bake it in the oven
5. Recipe tips and variations
6. Storage instructions 
7. More air fryer dinners to try
8. Air Fryer Meatloaf (Recipe Card)

Why I love this recipe

• Made with pantry-friendly ingredients. Nothing hard-to-find or difficult to prep.
• Quick and easy. There’s no foil to grease, messy cleanup, or need for multiple pots. It’s so easy I can even get the kids involved in the cooking process.
• Cost-effective. Using affordable cuts of meat and basics like eggs and milk, this feels fancy without the price tag.
• Perfect texture and flavor. Can I lament about how incredible the texture is? It’s tender and slightly crisp in the right places but always juicy and moist in the middle. The sticky, sweet glaze gives it a subtle sweetness that balances out all the meaty flavors.

Ingredients needed

• Ground beef. Always use regular ground beef instead of anything too lean or lower in fat. This is the secret trick to perfectly juicy meatloaf every single time.
• Yellow onion. Finely chopped or grated. If you have time, grate the onion as it mixes into the meat much better and amplifies the taste.
• Eggs. Act as binding ingredients and keeps its shape. 
• Milk. For soaking the breadcrumbs and making the meatloaf soft. I used whole milk but use whatever milk you have on hand.
• Panko breadcrumbs. Helps keep the juices in the meatloaf and also helps with binding. If you only have standard breadcrumbs, you must reduce the amount by two tablespoons. The finer consistency absorbs more moisture than the larger panko flakes.
• Parmesan cheese. My secret ingredient in all my meatloaf recipes. If you can, freshly grate the cheese as it will melt better.
• Garlic. Either fresh or pre-minced garlic. 
• Fresh parsley. Chopped. 
• Worcestershire sauce. Adds a sweet, tangy, and salty flavor to the meatloaf. 
• Italian seasoning.
• Salt and pepper. To taste. 

Glaze

• Ketchup. You can also use tomato sauce. 
• Brown sugar. Powdered or granulated sugar also works; make sure to mix it well. 
• Apple cider vinegar.  An acidic element that balances the sweet and tangy flavors.

How to make air fryer meatloaf

I’ve included step-by-step photos below to make this recipe easy to follow at home. For the full printable recipe instructions and ingredient quantities, scroll to the recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Step 1- Make the meatloaf mix: Start by adding the ingredients for the meatloaf in a bowl and mix well. Using your hands, prepare meatloaf from the mixture. 

Step 2- Cook in the air fryer: Next, add the meatloaf to a preheated air fryer diagonally so it fits easily. 

Step 3- Add the glaze: Now, prepare the ketchup glaze. Spread it over the meatloaf in the air fryer.

Step 4- Cook again: Let it cook for 5 minutes before moving it to the serving plate. 

Recipe tips and variations

• To prevent drying out the meatloaf, use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature. Once it reaches 165F (post glaze), it’s ready to enjoy.
• Line the air fryer basket with aluminum foil to avoid potential over-spill. Contrary to popular belief, you CAN add tin foil to the air fryer. I also recently tried using disposable air fryer liners, which were okay, but the meatloaf was a little soggy at the bottom.
• Don’t over-mix the ingredients after adding the meat, as the cooked meatloaf will become tough and gummy.
• To know when the meatloaf is fully cooked, use an instant-read thermometer. Oven makes and models differ, so this is your surefire way to know it’s done. In my Phillips XXL air fryer (affiliate link), this recipe took exactly 20 minutes to cook.
• If you aren’t a fan of ground beef, use something else. Ground turkey, ground pork, or a mixture of beef and pork are all good options for this recipe. 

Storage instructions 

To store: Place leftovers in a shallow container and store it in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.

To freeze: Place the cooked and cooled meatloaf in a ziplock bag and store it in the freezer for up to 6 months.

Reheating: Easily reheat portions of the meatloaf in the microwave, oven, or air fryer.

More air fryer dinners to try

• Air fryer stuffed peppers
• Air fryer pork tenderloin
• Air fryer steak
• Air fryer salmon
• Air fryer chicken thighs

Originally published September 2022, updated and republished March 2024