Classic Air Fryer Meatloaf
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When your family wants comfort food fast, this Air Fryer Meatloaf is the answer. I’ve tested this recipe more times than I can count, and it never fails. It’s perfectly moist, flavorful, and cooks in under 30 minutes with hardly any cleanup. Plus, it’s just the right size for a busy weeknight family dinner!
Cooking meatloaf in the air fryer gives you all the flavor of the classic dish, but in a fraction of the time. It comes out tender and juicy, with a caramelized glaze on top. There’s no need to heat up your oven, and the foil trick means cleanup is minimal.
The ingredients are simple pantry staples, so you can whip this together without an extra grocery trip. Ground beef is a budget-friendly protein, and kids will even ask for seconds. It’s a family favorite recipe you’ll come back to again and again.
Happy Kitchen Secrets
Here are the top tips I’ve learned from testing this easy air fryer meatloaf recipe over and over again. These steps can make or break your meatloaf!
- Don’t skip the foil boat! Forming the foil into a shallow boat shape around the meatloaf catches any grease that renders off. This keeps your air fryer from smoking or getting too messy.
- Use a meat thermometer. This ensures your meatloaf is fully cooked but not overdone. Aim for an internal temperature of at least 160°F in the center.
- Don’t overmix. Mix just until the ingredients are combined. Overmixing will make the texture tough instead of tender.
Before you start cooking, be sure to check out our favorite air fryer accessories!
Learn how to cook anything in your air fryer with our free cook time chart!
⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️
I made this meatloaf last night for dinner and it was a hit. My roommate requested for this to be added to our list of things to make again. It was so flavorful.
–Christine
Ingredients
- Ground beef: I use 85% lean for the perfect balance of fat and flavor.
- BBQ sauce or ketchup: I like to use sugar-free BBQ sauce. Choose the kind you want based on the flavor you want: classic or smoky-sweet. For a twist, you could also try Worcestershire sauce!
- BBQ seasoning: Use my homemade BBQ seasoning or a store-bought blend.
- Garlic and onion. Minced garlic and red onion add a bit of oomph to the recipe! You can also use onion powder and garlic powder if you prefer (or have kiddos who don’t like onions – ask me how I know 😉)
- Egg: This binds the ingredients together so they form the loaf shape we all know and love.
- Breadcrumbs: I like to use panko or you can use almond flour for a GF option.
Step by Step instructions
- Mix the Ingredients. Use your hands or a spoon to gently mix the ingredients together.
- Shape the mixture into a loaf shape and place it on a piece of aluminum foil. Pull the foil up around the edges to create a shallow boat. This catches the grease and prevents a smoky mess in your air fryer.
- Place the foil-wrapped meatloaf into your air fryer basket and air fry.
- After 20 minutes, brush the top of the meatloaf with more ketchup or BBQ sauce and let it cook until the glaze is bubbly!
- Let the meatloaf rest for 5-10 minutes before slicing. This helps the juices redistribute, so you get perfect slices every time.
Serving Suggestions
Serve this tasty meatloaf with your favorite veggie sides! We love:
- A starch: A scoop of jasmine rice or mashed potatoes are a great accompaniment.
- Air fryer sides: Try some of our favorite air fryer recipes, like air fryer potato wedges or air fryer asparagus.
- Salad: Serve up your favorite green salad with a homemade salad dressing, like this apple cider vinaigrette.
Make it kid friendly: If your kids love dipping sauces, serve slices of meatloaf with a side of extra ketchup or BBQ sauce. My kids love having a sauce on the side, and it’s an easy way to make this feel special!
FAQs
Yes! But don’t make one giant meatloaf. Form two 1-pound loaves instead. If your air fryer can fit them side-by-side with space in between, cook both at once. If not, cook in batches.
Form the meatloaf ahead of time, cover it tightly, and refrigerate for up to 24 hours. Cook as directed when ready.
Store leftover meatloaf in an airtight container in the refrigerator and use within 3-4 days, per USDA guidelines.
Meatloaf freezes beautifully both raw and cooked.
To freeze raw meatloaf: Wrap tightly and freeze for up to 4 months. Thaw completely in the fridge before cooking.
To freeze cooked meatloaf: Let cool, then store in a freezer-safe container. Thaw and reheat in the air fryer or oven.
I'd love to hear about your experience making this recipe! Please leave a comment and rating below!
Classic Air Fryer Meatloaf
Equipment
- Aluminum Foil
Ingredients
- 1 lb. 85% ground beef
- 1 egg
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- ¼ cup onion minced
- 1½ tablespoons bbq seasoning
- ½ cup panko breadcrumbs
- 2 tablespoons water
- ½ cup ketchup or bbq sauce divided
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ⅛ teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- Preheat the air fryer to 370°F (~180°C). Meanwhile, mince the garlic and onion.In a large bowl, add the ground beef, seasonings, onion, garlic, breadcrumbs, water, and about ¼ cup of the ketchup (or bbq sauce). Mix until combined but avoid over-mixing.
- Use your hands to form the mixture into a loaf shape that will fit into the basket of your air fryer without touching the sides or top of the basket, allowing the air to circulate. Shape a piece of tin foil into a bowl with 1-2 inch tall sides all around (this catches the rendered from dripping off and keeps it from smoking). Set the raw meatloaf on top of the foil, then place inside the air fryer basket. Close the air fryer and cook for 20 minutes.
- Open the air fryer basket and brush the top with the remaining 1/4 cup of ketchup or bbq sauce. Close the air fryer and cook for another 5-7 minutes.
- Insert a meat thermometer into the middle of the meatloaf to test the internal temperature has reached at least 160°F (~71°C). Remove the meatloaf from the air fryer and allow it to rest for about 5-10 minutes. Slice it and serve!
Notes
- To make in advance: Prepare the meatloaf mixture and form into a loaf. Cover tightly with plastic wrap and store in the refrigerator for up to a day, then follow cooking instructions.
- To store leftovers: Transfer leftover meatloaf to an airtight container. Store in the refrigerator for 3-4 days, per USDA.
I don’t cook with aluminum foil. Can I use a metal loaf pan?
Yes, you can as long as it still allows air flow in your air fryer – meaning there’s space around it – and the pan is oven safe!
FANTASTIC!
I made ur recipe minus bar b que sauce; uses ketchup instead. I was nervous… never made a meatloaf adding an egg let alone breadcrumbs. Gave it a try anyway.
My family and I LOVED it! Wonderfully delicious!!!
In fact, my family asked for me to make it again. 😁
I would have never thought of cooking meatloaf in Air Fryer. 🤷🏻♀️ Brilliant! ( I’ve always cooked mine in over and used crackers for binding).
Easy to understand recipe. Right down to lean of hamburger, temp, time and lastly temperature cooked meat should be at.
Thank you for sharing your recipe with me and my family. I will be making this again & again.
God Bless you!
What kind of bowl do you put in the fryer?
Hi Gina! I don’t cook the meatloaf in a bowl – I use tin foil shaped into a boat shape. Let us know what you think of the recipe if you make it! 🙂 -Laura
I made this meatloaf last night for dinner and it was a hit. My roommate requested for this to be added to our list of things to make again. It was so flavorful.
Hi Christine! I’m so glad that you and your roommate enjoyed the recipe! Thank you for sharing. 🙂 -Laura
What temperature and for how long would you cook this for in an oven? I don’t have an air fryer lol. Thanks!
Hi there! 375°F for about 35 minutes or until internal temperature reaches 160°F. Please let us know how it turns out! 🙂 -Laura
Yum! I followed the oven directions and 375° oven temp was perfect! I made half a recipe so I cooked it for just over 20 minutes.
My husband does not like meatloaf so I was nervous trying this recipe, but thought “hey it has bbq and bbq seasoning in it so he may like it” lol… He really liked it and said to put this on the “make it again” list.
Since the end of last year when I found your website, I have started using a ton of your recipes. I love your recipes, recipe tips/notes and your awesome emails! They are so helpful and the recipes are sooooo delicious ♥️. Thank you so much it makes meal planning a breeze!
Hi DG, Your review just made my day!! Thank you so much for your kind words about my recipes. I’m thrilled to hear that you and your husband have enjoyed them!! 🙂 -Laura
Love a good meatloaf in the air fryer! Perfect!
Can this be made with ground turkey
Hi Becky! I’m sure it would work nicely, however because turkey is leaner and lower in fat than ground beef, there may be a bit of experimenting necessary to make sure it doesn’t get dry. If you try it, please let us know how it turns out! 🙂 -Laura