I’m a huge fan of reheating food in our air fryer and making air fryer side dishes, but this Air Fryer Meatloaf recipe is my new favorite way to fix up this traditional, comfort food dinner for my family.
The air fryer helps me save time and I love that meatloaf pairs so well with a variety of sides! (Oh and the leftovers reheat well too!)
Scroll down for the printable recipe or check out the post for some tips on making meatloaf in your air fryer!
AIR FRYER MEATLOAF
This meatloaf comes out moist and tender. You can top it with plain ketchup (if you want to go really old school) or make the glaze included in this recipe. You can also tweak the ingredients and make this meatloaf with ground turkey or pork too!
HOW TO MAKE MEATLOAF WITHOUT BREADCRUMBS
If you don’t want to use breadcrumbs in your meatloaf, you can also use crackers. If I’m using crackers, I usually use saltines. Another option is almond flour. It works well to hold in moisture and bind the meat together.
Other ideas include oatmeal or oats, croutons, and cornflakes.
HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE TO COOK MEATLOAF?
The great thing about making meatloaf in the air fryer is the time-saving aspect. In my fryer, a 2lb meatloaf takes about 30 minutes to cook. Depending on your air fryer model and the thickness of your meatloaf, you may need more or less time to cook. You want the meat to reach an internal temperature of 165°F to know it’s cooked thoroughly.
HOW LONG TO COOK MEATLOAF IN OVEN
When I make meatloaf in the oven, I cook it for around an hour. Using the air fryer cuts the cooking time in half which is why it’s become one of my favorite ways to make this meal!
BEST TEMPERATURE TO COOK MEATLOAF
When I’m making air fryer meatloaf, I prefer to cook it at 390°F. When I cook it in the oven, I usually cook it at 375°F for about 45-50 minutes. I always check the internal temperature so I know when the meat is full cooked.
WHY DOES MY MEATLOAF FALL APART?
If your meatloaf falls apart, it probably doesn’t have enough binding agents in it. Eggs and bread crumbs are some of the most common binding agents. They help the meat stick together.
If you’re worried about your meatloaf being dry if you use bread crumbs, you can also soak them in milk before adding it to the meat. The liquid will help the meatloaf from tasting dry while the bread helps bind it all together.
Another reason meatloaf falls apart is that it’s overcooked. So if you find that you keep getting a crumbly meatloaf, watch your cook time as well.
IS EGG NECESSARY IN MEATLOAF?
In my opinion, eggs are necessary. They act as a binding agent for the meatloaf to help hold it together. They also provide moisture to keep the meat from drying out as it cooks.
HOW TO MAKE MEATLOAF IN AIR FRYER
You need some basic ingredients to make this meatloaf recipe.
- Ground chuck
- Onion
- Panko bread crumbs
- Shredded cheese
- Eggs
- Tomato sauce
- Dijon mustard
- Worcestershire sauce
- Salt & pepper
If you have an air fryer than requires you to preheat before cooking, you’ll want to preheat it to 390°F to make this recipe. Then line the basket or pan with aluminum foil and spray it with nonstick cooking spray.
To start, you’ll mix most of the ingredients together in a large bowl for the meat mixture. Use your hands to combine the ground chuck, onion, bread crumbs, cheese, eggs, tomato sauce, dijon mustard, and Worcestershire sauce. Season with salt and pepper, as well.
Put the meat mixture on the foil and shape it into a loaf shape. The thicker your loaf shape, the more time it may need to cook in the air fryer.
Place the basket in the air fryer and cook for 25 minutes. Check the internal temperature of the meatloaf. You want it to reach an internal temperature of 160°F.
While the meatloaf is cooking, combine the remaining tomato sauce, dijon mustard, and Worcestershire sauce in a small bowl to make a glaze for the top of the meatloaf.
Once the meat has reached 160°F, pull the meatloaf out and brush the top with sauce. Then cooking for 5 more minutes or until the internal temperature of 165°F.
Slice the meatloaf into 8 slices and serve with your favorite side dish.
Some of my favorite sides for this comfort food dinner are Instant Pot Carrots and Crockpot Cheesy Potatoes. Oven Roasted Potatoes and Carrots are also a great side for this meatloaf recipe. The cook time is similar and you can make your potatoes and carrots in the oven while you make your meatloaf in the air fryer!
Air Fryer Meatloaf
Equipment
- Air Fryer
Ingredients
Meatloaf
- 2 pounds ground chuck
- 1 small onion (finely chopped)
- ½ cup panko bread crumbs
- ½ cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 2 eggs
- ½ 15 ounce can tomato sauce
- 1 Tbsp dijon mustard
- 1 Tbsp Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tsp salt
- ½ tsp black pepper
Glaze
- ½ 15 ounce can tomato sauce
- 1 tsp dijon mustard
- 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce
Instructions
- Line air fryer basket with aluminum foil. Spray with nonstick cooking spray. If required by your air fryer, preheat to 390°F.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine ground chuck, onion, bread crumbs, cheese, eggs, ½ can of tomato sauce, 1 tablespoon dijon mustard, 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce, salt, and pepper.
- Shape meat into a loaf shape and place it on the aluminum foil.
- Cook for 25 minutes. You want the internal temperature of the meat loaf to reach 160°F.
- While the meatloaf cooks, combine remaining tomato sauce, dijon mustard, and Worcestershire sauce in a small bowl to make glaze.
- Once meatloaf has reached an internal temperature of 160°F, brush sauce over the top of the meatloaf.
- Cook for an additional 5 minutes or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F.
- Slice and serve with your favorite side dish.
Notes
Nutrition
Michael says
My new favorite way to cook meatloaf is in our air fryer oven. My wife hates eggs so instead I use applesauce. It acts as a good binder and keeps it nice and moist. I use one pound ground beef and one pound ground pork. The applesauce compliments both meats nicely.