Air Fryer Meatloaf

This juicy Air Fryer Meatloaf recipe is ready in around 30 minutes and makes a classic comfort food meal the whole family will love. Plus the ketchup brown sugar glaze is irresistible!

Why This Recipe Works

Making a classic meatloaf recipe in the area fryer is the easy way of getting dinner to the table without the hour long bake time.

• Quick & easy. Perfect for busy weeknights and even faster than Instant Pot meatloaf since you don't have to wait for the IP to come up to pressure and seal. And it's about half the time of cooking meatloaf in the oven!
• Healthier. Instead of cooking the meatloaf in a loaf pan, the fat drips off into the air fryer basket for a less greasy meatloaf.
• Easy cleanup. You only need one bowl and then everything goes into the air fryer basket, which is a breeze to clean.
• Make ahead. Prep the meatloaf in the morning or even the night before and store it in the fridge until you are ready to cook it.

Meatloaf Ingredients

Here's a list of what you'll need to make this easy air fryer meatloaf recipe. See the printable recipe card below for exact amounts and full instructions.

• Ground meat: We use lean ground beef (either 80/20 or 85/15), but a combination of ground pork, mild Italian sausage, or ground turkey with a pound of ground beef will also make a delicious meatloaf.
• Minced onion: Rather than use chopped onions, we're relying on a pantry staple for that depth of onion flavor.
• Binder: Breadcrumbs, horseradish, egg, and Worcestershire sauce all add flavor and help hold the meatloaf together. The horseradish replaces the milk that you usually see in meatloaf, making this recipe dairy-free and adding depth of flavor without making it spicy at all.
• Seasonings: Garlic powder, paprika, and dried green onions are some of our favorite savory seasonings.
• Glaze: The combo of ketchup, brown sugar, and vinegar makes the best meatloaf glaze!

How to Make Air Fryer Meatloaf

It's simple and fast to make meatloaf in the air fryer and the technique is the same as an oven version except for the cooking time. Be sure to see the recipe card for full ingredients and instructions.

• Start by preheating your air fryer to 400 degrees F. This helps ensure quick cooking of the outside for a better crust.
• Combing all of the ingredients in a large bowl. The best way to do this is by hand so you don't overwork the meat. Use your hands to sort of squish the meatloaf mixture until all of the seasonings are dispersed.
• Shape the meat mixture into a loaf shape. Place it in the air fryer basket and cook for 15 minutes.

• Add the glaze. While the meatloaf cooks, make the meatloaf glaze by whisking the ketchup, brown sugar, and apple cider vinegar together. Spread the ketchup sauce on top of the meatloaf after 15 minutes, then continue to cook for 10 more minutes to caramelize the glaze.

• Remove and rest. When the meatloaf is done, let it rest for 5 minutes before slicing to allow the juices to redistribute for the juiciest, most tender meatloaf.

Recipe FAQ's

Top Tips

• Don't skip preheating. This helps achieve that perfect crust on the outside of the meatloaf.
• Let it rest before slicing. Give the meatloaf a chance for the juices to redistribute just like you would a good steak. This way, when you cut into it the meatloaf the slices are mouthwateringly juicy.
• Wait to add the glaze. Adding the glaze too early can result in it burning because of the sugar in the glaze. You just want it to caramelize on top.
• Line your air fryer basket. You may want to line the bottom of your air fryer with aluminum foil for easy clean up.
• Use a serrated knife. For the cleanest slices, use a serrated blade to cut the meatloaf.
• Consider two smaller meatloaf loaves. If you want, you can divide the meatloaf into two smaller loaves for more crust ratio. You might need to decrease the cook time by 5 minutes so as not to dry out the loaves.

Recipe Variations

• Use barbecue sauce or chili sauce in place of the ketchup to change things up.
• Add ½ cup of parmesan cheese or 1 cup of grated cheddar cheese to the meatloaf mixture for some cheesy flavor.
• Add more veggies. Feel free to add ½ of a chopped green bell pepper or some thinly grated carrot to your meatloaf mixture to sneak in more veggies.

Storage & Reheating

• Storage: Keep leftover meatloaf in an airtight container in the fridge for 4-5 days. It makes excellent meatloaf sandwiches the next day.
• Reheating: Leftover meatloaf warms up well in the air fryer, microwave, or oven. It's just 3-5 minutes in a 350°F air fryer for individual slices.
• Freezing: You can freeze cooked or uncooked meatloaf for up to 3 months. Just wrap it well in plastic wrap and foil. To bake or reheat, thaw first in the fridge overnight and cook or rewarm in the air fryer, microwave, or oven.

What to Serve with Meatloaf

We love classic sides with meatloaf like mashed potatoes and green beans or some creamy macaroni & cheese. But you also can't go wrong with a crisp green salad, roasted carrots, and garlic bread.

More Air Fryer Recipes

• Juicy Air Fryer Hamburgers
• Air Fryer Salmon
• Air Fryer Asparagus