Air Fryer Beef Meatloaf is a classic weeknight meal with all the traditional meatloaf flavors prepared easily in the air fryer! Try it today!
Homemade Meatloaf is a comfort food meal perfect for enjoying during the fall and winter. This air fryer version makes it easy to cook your Dinner faster and have it ready for busy weeknights. You’ll love the moist meatloaf packed with delicious, savory, beefy flavors you love in way less time!
A modern take on a timeless favorite, the air fryer method makes cooking classic dishes super convenient. For more air fryer main dish recipes, try Air Fryer Ribeye Steaks and Air Fryer Garlic Pork Loin. They make a fantastic family weeknight dinner, and the traditional ingredients give it a nostalgic taste despite the new cooking method.
Table of contents
Sabrina’s Air Fryer Beef Meatloaf Recipe
Air Fryer Beef Meatloaf recipe is a classic comfort food dish with a twist! This amazing meatloaf has no secret ingredients so anyone can make it. This easy version combines ground beef with a flavorful mixture of milk-soaked breadcrumbs, minced onion, and spices like thyme and black pepper. What sets it apart is its preparation in an air fryer, which gives it a crispy exterior and locks in the juicy goodness. The final touch of this air fryer meatloaf recipe comes from the zesty sauce made from ketchup, Worcestershire sauce, and mustard.
Why Use an Air Fryer?
This Air Fryer Beef Meatloaf recipe makes cooking traditional meatloaf super easy. You’ll prep the loaf like usual, using classic ingredients like ground beef, egg, breadcrumbs, onion, and seasoning. Once you’ve combined the traditional meatloaf recipe, carefully place it in the air fryer. With a 40-minute cooking time, you can make air fry meatloaf in about 20 minutes less than the oven recipe.
Ingredients
- 1 cup Milk: Milk adds moisture and creaminess to the meatloaf, keeping it tender. It’s important to let the milk soak into the breadcrumbs. That way, the breadcrumbs can hold the loaf together without drying out the recipe. You can use any type of milk, including skim, but whole milk yields the richest result.
- 1 cup Bread Crumbs: Just like the egg, the cup of breadcrumbs mixed in with the meat acts as a binding agent. If your meatloaf comes out crumbly and falls apart, it’s likely because you didn’t use enough binding ingredients. You can use panko or gluten-free crumbs as alternatives.
- 1 large Egg: The egg is an essential piece of this recipe. Whisking it with the other ingredients helps hold everything together in its loaf shape. It also helps maintain the Beef Meatloaf’s moisture. But, it doesn’t make the recipe taste at all eggy.
- ½ Yellow Onion, minced: Onion adds flavor and moisture to the meat mixture. Feel free to use other types of onions or shallots for a slightly different taste.
- ½ teaspoon Kosher Salt: Salt enhances the overall flavor of the meatloaf. You can substitute it with table salt if needed, adjusting the quantity to taste.
- ¼ teaspoon Thyme: Thyme contributes a subtle herbaceous note to the meatloaf. You can experiment with other dried herbs like rosemary or oregano for variation.
- ½ teaspoon Coarse Ground Black Pepper: Black pepper provides a mild spiciness and complements the other flavors. Adjust the amount to suit your taste preferences.
- 1 ½ pounds Ground Beef (85/15): Ground beef is the primary protein source and foundation of the meatloaf. You can use lean ground beef or fattier beef depending on your preference. You can also substitute with ground pork.
- ¼ cup Ketchup: Ketchup forms a sweet and tangy glaze on the meatloaf’s surface during cooking, enhancing its flavor. Barbecue sauce can be a substitute for a different flavor profile.
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire Sauce: Worcestershire sauce adds depth and umami to the meat mixture. Soy sauce or balsamic vinegar can be used as alternatives.
- 1 teaspoon Yellow Mustard: Yellow mustard imparts a mild tang and a hint of acidity. Dijon mustard or honey mustard can be used for a different flavor twist.
Kitchen Tools and Equipment
- Air Fryer: An air fryer for cooking meatloaf is an essential tool for this recipe, the air fryer cooks the meatloaf to perfection, giving it a crispy exterior and juicy interior.
- Large Mixing Bowl: You’ll need a spacious mixing bowl to combine the ingredients, ensuring they are evenly distributed. A glass or stainless steel bowl works best.
- Baking Pan: Use a small baking pan to shape and cook the meatloaf inside the air fryer. Make sure it fits comfortably in your air fryer basket and is sprayed with vegetable oil spray to prevent sticking.
- Small Bowl: You’ll need a small bowl to prepare the ketchup, Worcestershire sauce, and mustard mixture on the side that you’ll spread over the meatloaf when it’s almost done cooking.
- Thermometer: You’ll need an instant-read thermometer or other cooking thermometer to ensure that your meatloaf is fully cooked to a safe temperature of 160°F (71°C) internally.
How to Make Air Fryer Beef Meatloaf
Time needed: 3 hours.
- Step 1: Preheat Air Fryer
Preheat your air fryer to 385 degrees and spray a small baking pan with vegetable oil spray. This ensures your air fryer is ready for cooking.
- Step 2: Mix Milk and Breadcrumbs
In a large mixing bowl, combine milk and breadcrumbs. Stir until the breadcrumbs absorb the milk completely. Wait a few minutes if you can.
- Step 3: Add Eggs and Seasonings
Whisk in the egg, minced onion, kosher salt, thyme, and black pepper into the milk-breadcrumb mixture.
- Step 4: Incorporate Ground Beef
Add the lean ground beef to the bowl and mix all the meatloaf ingredients together using your hands until well combined.
- Step 5: Shape and Cook Meatloaf
Place the meatloaf mixture into a small baking pan suitable for your air fryer. Put the pan into the air fryer basket and cook for 30 minutes.
- Step 6: Prepare Glaze Ingredients
While your meatloaf cooks away, in a small bowl, mix ketchup, Worcestershire sauce, and mustard to create a sauce.
- Step 7: Glaze and Finish Cooking
After 30 minutes, spread the ketchup mixture evenly over the meatloaf. If you removed the loaf, return meatloaf to the basket and continue cooking for an additional 5-10 minutes, or until it reaches an internal temperature of 160 degrees.
- Step 8: Let It Cool and Slice
Remove the meat loaf from the air fryer and allow it to cool for about 10 minutes before slicing. This helps the juices redistribute for a flavorful result. Enjoy your delicious meatloaf!
Can This Be Made Ahead?
Yes! This is perfect for busy weeknights! You can prepare the meatloaf mixture, shape it, and refrigerate it for a few hours or overnight before cooking in the air fryer. Just make sure the internal temperature reaches 160 degrees. You can use a meat thermometer if needed. You can also make mini meatloaves for meal prepping!
Nutritional Facts
How to Store Air Fryer Beef Meatloaf
Storing
You shouldn’t leave cooked meatloaf at room temperature for more than 2 hours. If you have leftover meatloaf, you can wrap it in aluminum foil or seal it in an airtight container. It’ll keep well for 3-4 days.
Reheating Tips
You can use an air fryer or a regular oven for the best results, especially during busy weeknights.
- Oven Reheat: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees and heat the meatloaf for about 10-15 minutes until it’s warmed through.
- Air Fryer Reheat: First, line your small baking sheet with parchment paper. Then spray the loaf with cooking oil on both sides. Place the cold meatloaf on the pan, and put it in the air fryer basket. Cook for 3-5 minutes at 350 degrees until the meatloaf is warmed through. If you have slices of meatloaf, you can actually pan-sear the extra meatloaf slices on the stovetop with a little oil or butter.
- Microwave Reheat: Avoid using the microwave, as it can make the meatloaf soggy.
Freezing
You can also keep Air Fryer Meatloaf frozen for up to 3 months. Just wrap the loaf in plastic wrap, then place it in a freezer bag and seal it tightly.
Ideas to Serve
Meatloaf is the ultimate comfort food, so it deserves equally comforting side dishes to go with it. Round out the delicious meal with family favorites like Creamy Mashed Potatoes, Stovetop Green Bean Casserole, or Garlic Roasted Red Potatoes and you’ll have a complete meal that even picky eaters will love!
Frequent Questions
The meatloaf is done when it reaches an internal temperature of 160 degrees. You can use an instant-read thermometer or meat thermometer to check the temperature for safety and optimal texture.
You can toast them and then blend them. To make breadcrumbs from sliced bread in an air fryer, preheat it to 350 degrees, arrange the bread slices in a single layer, and air fry for 3-5 minutes, turning or shaking occasionally to ensure even toasting. Monitor closely to prevent burning, as timing may vary by air fryer model and bread thickness. Once golden and crisp, remove, cool, and break into pieces, then process in a food processor or blender for desired breadcrumb texture.
Absolutely! You can use gluten-free breadcrumbs or crushed gluten-free crackers as a substitute for regular breadcrumbs if you have dietary restrictions.
Certainly! Feel free to substitute thyme with herbs like rosemary, oregano, or basil to customize the flavor profile to your liking. You can also sprinkle ½ teaspoon of garlic salt over top before slicing for extra flavor.
The classic meatloaf recipe is beef but you can experiment with other ground meat like ground turkey, ground sausage, ground pork, or ground chicken. The cooking time might vary a bit so just be aware of that.
Recipe Card
Ingredients
- 1 cups milk , whole
- 1 cups bread crumbs
- 1 large eggs
- 1/2 yellow onion , minced
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/4 teaspoon thyme
- 1/2 teaspoon coarse ground black pepper
- 1 1/2 pounds ground beef , 85/15
- 1/4 cup ketchup
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 teaspoon yellow mustard
Instructions
- Preheat air fryer to 385 degrees and spray a small baking pan with vegetable oil spray.
- In a large bowl whisk together the milk and breadcrumbs together until the milk is absorbed.
- Whisk in the eggs, onion, salt, thyme and pepper.
- Add in the beef and mix with your hands until the ingredients are combined.
- Add the meatloaf mixture to a small baking pan and into the basket of the air fryer.
- Cook for 30 minutes.
- In a small bowl mix the ketchup, Worcestershire sauce and mustard and spread over the meatloaf.
- Cook for an additional 10 minutes.
- Let cool for 10 minutes before slicing.
Notes
- Click on the “yield” amount to slide and change the number of servings and the recipe will automatically update!
- Click on times in the instructions to start a kitchen timer while cooking.
- To convert measurements to grams, click on the “Metric” option next to “Ingredients” in the recipe card.
Nutrition
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Variations on Air Fryer Meatloaf
- Savory Italian Meatloaf: Add a tablespoon of Italian seasoning, 2 minced cloves garlic, and grated Parmesan cheese to the meat mixture for a savory Italian twist. Serve with marinara sauce for dipping.
- Tex-Mex Meatloaf: Incorporate chili powder, cumin, and diced green chilies into the mixture – 2 teaspoons of each. Top with shredded cheddar cheese during the last few minutes of air frying and serve with salsa.
- Vegetarian Meatloaf: Substitute the ground beef with a combination of cooked lentils, black beans, and mushrooms for a hearty vegetarian version. Adjust the cooking time to ensure it’s cooked through.
- Gluten-Free Meatloaf: Use gluten-free breadcrumbs or crushed rice cereal for a gluten-free option. Ensure all other ingredients, including Worcestershire sauce and mustard, are gluten-free as well.
- Ground Turkey Meatloaf: Swap out the ground beef for ground turkey for a leaner alternative. Keep an eye on cooking time, as turkey meatloaf may cook faster than beef.
- Spicy Meatloaf: Add red pepper flakes or diced jalapeños to the mixture for a spicy kick. Adjust the amount to what you like and serve with a spicy chili sauce or salsa.
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Wondering how to make it in my toaster oven/air fryer unit (Oster)
Do I place it on the air fryer rack with a pan on the bottom? I wish there
were instructions for this type of air fryer. I don’t have the other kind.
Thank You for all your great recipes, and wish you would include how to’s
for this type!
Duly noted Pam. Will try to be more informative regarding types of air fryers/toaster ovens for this recipe.