Classic Air Fryer Meatloaf
Check out this fantastic Air Fryer Meatloaf recipe. It cooks quickly and forms a delicious crust, ideal for a simple and tasty weeknight dinner!
This one-lb meatloaf is ideal for a quick and easy family meal on a busy weeknight. It can be prepared in no time and requires minimal cleanup.
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🛒Ingredients needed for Air Fryer Meatloaf
- Ground beef. For a moist and tender meatloaf, it’s best to use meat containing some fat. Around 15 to 20 of fat is generally ideal. You can also replace the beef with chicken or pork or use a combination of meats.
- Egg. Eggs add flavor and act as a binding agent, helping the ingredients come together to form the meatloaf.
- Breadcrumbs. Breadcrumbs help meatloaf retain moisture and tenderness by soaking up the juices as it cooks. Panko breadcrumbs, in particular, have an airy and flaky texture, resulting in a lighter and crunchier meatloaf.
- Onion and garlic. Both onion and garlic provide additional flavors. One medium onion produces about 1 cup of chopped onion. If you don’t have fresh onion, substitute 1 tablespoon of onion powder.
- Seasoning. While there are various ways to season the meatloaf, I will stick to the more classic combination of ketchup, Worcestershire sauce, and mustard. You can explore adding other seasonings, such as Cajun, paprika, or any others you prefer.
👉 How to make air fryer meatloaf
Air fryer meatloaf allows you to prepare a small, flavorful meatloaf for four people in about half an hour.
Classic Air Fryer Meatloaf
4
servings15
minutes30
minutes300
kcalCheck out this fantastic Air-Fryer Meatloaf recipe. It cooks quickly and forms a delicious crust, ideal for a simple and tasty weeknight dinner!
Ingredients
- Ingredeints A
1 medium size onion, finely chopped
1 tbsp minced garlic
1 tbsp of yellow mustard
2 tbsp ketchup
1 tsp ground black pepper
1 tbsp salt
1 tbsp sugar
1/2 cup milk
2 eggs
2 cups panko breadcrumbs
1 pound ground beef
1 pound ground pork
- Ingredients B
1/3 cup ketchup
1 tbsp sugar
1 tbsp yellow mustard
1 tbsp Worcestershire Sauce
Directions
- Saute the chopped onion and minced garlic with oil for two minutes. Set aside to let it cool.
- Mix the onion, garlic, mustard, ketchup, ground pepper, salt, and sugar in a large mixing bowl.
- Combine the milk and eggs with the above.
- Mix in the breadcrumbs. Combine with the ground beef, but be careful not to over-mix. Shape the mixture into two loaves that will fit into the air fryer.
- Place the raw meatloaf on a baking tray, then place it inside the air fryer basket.
- Cook the meatloaf at 185°c/ 370°F for approximately 15 minutes. Prepare the glaze by mixing all the ingredients in B. Remove and brush a layer of the glaze on top of the loaf.
- Use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature of the meatloaf. It should reach at least 70°/160°F.
- Once cooked, remove the meatloaf from the air fryer and rest for 5-10 minutes before slicing and serving.
Recipe Video
Notes
💡Tips and notes for the best Air Fryer Meatloaf
- Make smaller meatloaves. Most meatloaf recipes call for two pounds of ground beef, but that’s too big for the air fryer, as it doesn’t leave enough room for proper circulation. Besides, a large meatloaf tends to darken on the outside before it cooks through in the air fryer. Therefore, I formed a one-pound meatloaf to get the best result. If your air fryer is large enough, you can prepare two 1-pound meatloafs side by side, ensuring enough space between them for optimal air circulation during cooking.
- Rest the meatloaf before slicing. After the meatloaf is cooked, it’s best to sit on the counter, uncovered, for at least 5 minutes, but ideally 10. This time allows the juices in the meatloaf to redistribute and the loaf to firm up. After resting, transfer the meatloaf to a cutting board. You’ll notice that the resting period makes it much easier to slice.
- Use a thermometer. To ensure that your meatloaf is cooked through without being overdone, it’s best to use an instant-read thermometer to check for doneness. The internal temperature of the meatloaf should reach 160°F in the middle to ensure that it is safe to eat. The USDA states that a safe internal cooking temperature should be at least 160°F.
- Do not overmix. You may have been advised that overmixing ground meat can make it challenging. However, not mixing it thoroughly can lead to uneven dispersion of ingredients. To solve this dilemma, mix the wet ingredients and seasonings first, then add the breadcrumbs and give it a quick toss. Finally, add the ground meat and mix until all the ingredients are well incorporated.
- The glaze is optional. You can customize the glaze for this recipe based on your preference. Some people prefer using just ketchup, others prefer using only BBQ sauce, and some don’t want any sauce. Feel free to adjust the glaze, as it will work well either way.
- To prevent smoking inside the air fryer, it’s important to shape the foil around the meatloaf into a boat-like form, creating a rim that will catch any grease drips as the meatloaf cooks.
🆒 How to store the Air Fryer Meatloaf
- Transfer leftover air fryer meatloaf to an airtight container and place it in the refrigerator. The USDA recommends using the leftovers within 3-4 days.
- To freeze leftover meatloaf, wait for it to cool, then transfer it to a freezer-safe bag or container. Squeeze out as much air as possible, seal it, and freeze it for 3-4 months.
- If you want to freeze raw meatloaf, shape it and tightly wrap it in plastic wrap before placing it in a freezer-safe bag or an airtight freezer-safe container. You can store it in the freezer for 3-4 months, but remember to thoroughly defrost it in the refrigerator overnight before cooking.
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