I love that I can serve up a delicious and tasty homemade meatloaf in a fraction of the time thanks to the air fryer. Perfectly cooked and juicy, I find that this Air Fryer Meatloaf recipe is ready to serve in around 30 minutes. Perfect for an easy weeknight dinner.

slices of air fryer meatloaf on plate with mashed potatoes and salad

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What’s in This Air Fryer Meatloaf Recipe?

Glazed in a tangy and sweet ketchup mix, this air fryer meatloaf is tasty, hearty, comforting, and a breeze to make. I serve it up with all of your favorite sides for a cozy dinner idea that everyone will love!

  • Ground Beef: We like 80-85% lean beef for a juicy meatloaf. Any leaner, and it may turn out dry.
  • Breadcrumbs: Bind the meatloaf and help retain moisture. For a gluten-free option, use gluten-free breadcrumbs.
  • Onion: A bit of finely chopped yellow or white onion adds an earthy-sweet flavor and moisture.
  • Milk: Adds moisture and richness to the loaf. Any kind of milk will work, including plant-based milk.
  • Ketchup: Adds a sweet and umami flavor to both the meatloaf and the glaze.
  • Worcestershire Sauce: Adds savory, umami flavor to the meatloaf. Check the ingredients carefully if you’re gluten-sensitive, as not all brands are gluten-free.
  • Seasonings: Salt, pepper, garlic powder, and Italian seasoning add flavor to the meatloaf, while garlic and onion powder add a savory element to the glaze.
  • Egg: Helps bind the meatloaf and adds moisture.
  • Sugar: Brown sugar adds rich sweetness to the glaze.
  • Vinegar: A splash of red wine vinegar a touch of balancing acidity to the glaze.

Variations on Meatloaf in the Air Fryer

I prefer to make this air fryer meatloaf with beef as it has a higher fat content than chicken or turkey so it stays nice and juicy. I sometimes swap some of the beef with another ground meat like chicken or turkey. Pork would also be delicious!

sliced air fryer meatloaf
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How to Store and Reheat 

Leftovers will keep well in the fridge for up to 4 days and can be reheated in the air fryer at 320°F for 5 minutes to warm it back through.

How to Freeze 

To freeze, tightly wrap the meatloaf in plastic wrap and aluminum foil, then store in a Ziplock bag for up to 3 months. Let thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.

slices of air fryer meatloaf on plate with mashed potatoes and salad

Serving Suggestions

This is one hearty and delicious meal that is so easy to make. Serve it up with your favorite sides, like mashed potatoes and a spinach salad with bacon for one tasty family meal. Use leftovers to make a delicious meatloaf sandwich with Swiss or Provolone cheese!

Notes from the Test Kitchen

This beef meatloaf takes minutes to make before it gets cooked in the air fryer. Even the clean-up is a breeze! You just need one bowl to mix everything together, and then it’s cooked right in the air fryer basket.

Recipe Card

Air Fryer Meatloaf Recipe

4.68 from 109 votes
Prep: 15 minutes
Cook: 20 minutes
Total: 35 minutes
Servings: 4 people
Author: Becky Hardin
slices of air fryer meatloaf on plate with mashed potatoes and salad
This super easy air fryer meatloaf is a must-make recipe! It comes out so well in the air fryer and is totally hassle-free! This is a keeper!
Step-by-step photos can be seen below the recipe card.
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Ingredients 

  • 1 pound ground beef
  • ½ cup breadcrumbs
  • ½ cup finely chopped onion
  • ¼ cup milk
  • 2 tablespoons ketchup
  • 2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
  • ¾ teaspoon kosher salt
  • ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
  • ½ teaspoon garlic powder
  • ½ teaspoon Italian seasoning
  • 1 large egg

For the Glaze

  • ½ cup ketchup
  • 1 tablespoon brown sugar
  • 1 tablespoon red wine vinegar
  • ½ teaspoon garlic powder
  • ½ teaspoon onion powder

Instructions 

  • In a large bowl, mix all the meatloaf ingredients together.
    1 pound ground beef, ½ cup breadcrumbs, ½ cup finely chopped onion, ¼ cup milk, 2 tablespoons ketchup, 2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce, ¾ teaspoon kosher salt, ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper, ½ teaspoon garlic powder, ½ teaspoon Italian seasoning, 1 large egg
    ingredients for air fryer meatloaf
  • Form the mixture into a loaf shape.
  • Transfer the loaf to the air fryer.
    air fryer meatloaf uncooked in air fryer
  • Cook at 350 degrees for 15 minutes.
  • While the meatloaf is cooking, make the glaze. Combine the ketchup, brown sugar, vinegar, garlic powder, and onion powder in a small dish.
    ½ cup ketchup, 1 tablespoon brown sugar, 1 tablespoon red wine vinegar, ½ teaspoon garlic powder, ½ teaspoon onion powder
  • While the meatloaf is still in the air fryer basket, spread the glaze over the meatloaf.
  • Cook the meatloaf for another 5 minutes.
    air fryer bbq meatloaf
  • Serve and Enjoy!

Video

Becky’s Tips

  • Don’t overwork the meatloaf mixture. Everything should be well combined, but over-mixing it can cause the beef to become chewy and dense.
  • Place the meatloaf straight into the air fryer basket. If you prefer, you can lay it on some foil.
  • We love the tomato glaze to finish off this meatloaf, but it will still be delicious without it.
  • Use an instant-read thermometer to check the meatloaf for doneness; it should be 165°F at the thickest point.
  • Let the meatloaf rest for at least 5 minutes before slicing to lock in the juices.
Storage: Store air fryer meatloaf in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days or in the freezer for up to 3 months.
Serving: 0.25loafCalories: 434kcalCarbohydrates: 27gProtein: 24gFat: 25gSaturated Fat: 10gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 11gTrans Fat: 1gCholesterol: 123mgSodium: 1005mgPotassium: 559mgFiber: 1gSugar: 14gVitamin A: 284IUVitamin C: 3mgCalcium: 90mgIron: 4mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Did you make this? Leave a comment!

How to Make Meatloaf in an Air Fryer Step by Step

Mix the Meatloaf: In a large bowl, mix 1 pound of ground beef, ½ cup of breadcrumbs, ½ cup of finely chopped onion, ¼ cup of milk, 2 tablespoons of ketchup, 2 teaspoons of Worcestershire sauce, ¾ teaspoon of kosher salt, ¼ teaspoon of ground black pepper, ½ teaspoon of garlic powder, ½ teaspoon of Italian seasoning, and 1 large egg together.

ingredients for air fryer meatloaf

Shape and Cook the Meatloaf: Form the mixture into a loaf shape. Transfer the loaf to the air fryer. Cook at 350°F for 15 minutes.

air fryer meatloaf uncooked in air fryer

Glaze and Cook the Meatloaf: While the meatloaf is cooking, make the glaze. Combine ½ cup of ketchup, 1 tablespoon of brown sugar, 1 tablespoon of red wine vinegar, ½ teaspoon of garlic powder, and ½ teaspoon of onion powder in a small dish. While the meatloaf is still in the air fryer basket, spread the glaze over the meatloaf. Cook the meatloaf for another 5 minutes.

air fryer bbq meatloaf

More Ground Beef Recipes To Try

Meet Becky Hardin

Becky Hardin is a wife and mother living in Saint Louis Missouri. She founded The Cookie Rookie in 2012 as a creative way to share recipes. Now, she is a trusted resource for easy cooking around the world, being featured in Taste of Home, The Kitchn, ABC’s Home and Family, and more. Here at The Cookie Rookie she is the editor in chief of all recipes and continues to enjoy sharing her passion for cooking for busy families. She has since founded two additional food blogs, Easy Chicken Recipes and Easy Dessert Recipes.

4.68 from 109 votes (99 ratings without comment)
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33 Comments
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Mark
Mark
May 19, 2024 7:15 pm

I didn’t see mentioned what size air fryer you used to cook this amount of meatloaf.

Samantha Marceau
May 20, 2024 8:36 am
Reply to  Mark

Hi Mark, we used a 4-qt air fryer!

Clyde
Clyde
April 24, 2024 2:58 pm

Will this recipe work in an air fryer that opens with doors and has trays instead of a basket?

Samantha Marceau
April 25, 2024 8:56 am
Reply to  Clyde

It should! You’ll just need to place it on a tray!

Becky
Becky
January 2, 2024 5:33 pm

Delicious!5 stars

IMG_3016
Mal
Mal
November 6, 2023 9:07 pm

Fantastic! 5 stars
Split into 2 loaves and cooked for 25 min.
Used soy sauce instead or Worcestershire because that’s what I had on hand
Added grateded parmesan to loaf mixture before cooking. Wonderfully moist even though I used 93/7 lean ground beef. Will definitely repeat! Thank you!5 stars

Samantha Marceau
November 7, 2023 9:25 am
Reply to  Mal

We’re so happy to hear you love this recipe, Mal!

Mal
Mal
November 6, 2023 8:57 pm

Fantastic!
Split into 2 loaves and cooked for 25 min
Added grateded parmesan to loaf mixture before cooking.4 stars

Kenzie
Kenzie
July 18, 2023 11:00 am

My air fryer doesn’t have a basket. What do I do?

Samantha Marceau
July 18, 2023 2:16 pm
Reply to  Kenzie

Does it have a tray? You can place it on a tray! Otherwise, you can buy a basket on Amazon!

Marsha Cochran
Marsha Cochran
July 9, 2023 2:00 pm

I am a new air fryer. I plan to make my own meatloaf recipe, nut needed an idea to time. To make this gluten free, switch to oatmeal in place of bread crumbs. I like to use a medium salsa in place of the onions, it gives a little kick to the meatloaf. I have made meatloaf in the microwave and use a doughnut shape. This would help get it cooked through.5 stars

Samantha Marceau
July 12, 2023 9:09 am
Reply to  Marsha Cochran

Thanks for sharing your thoughts, Marsha!

Bonnie Sanders
Bonnie Sanders
January 31, 2023 6:05 pm

It said at the beginning cooking time is 20 min. Then at the end when you started to cook it it said 15. Then mix the top glaze Then cook for 5 min more. It a play on words a little. Just have a meat Thermoneter and check the center. Altitude and size of loaf may affect it. I justcmade this had to put it back in for more cooking time.

Samantha Marceau
January 23, 2023 9:12 am

We’re sorry this recipe didn’t work out as planned, Lisa! Total cook time can vary based on model of air fryer and the size and shape of the meatloaf!

Jackie
Jackie
January 26, 2023 5:04 pm

Worked for me by recipe instructions. However, I made four mini meatloaves instead of one meatloaf.4 stars

Brittany
Brittany
December 10, 2022 8:50 am

The flavors of this were delicious! However, I was skeptical of this cooking in the middle, and unfortunately I was correct. I ended up trying to cook it an additional 10 minutes in the air fryer, and it was still raw in the middle! Eventually, I cut it all up and put it on roast in my Ninja Foodie for about 10 minutes, which finally cooked it through. bummed because I was hoping for a quick and easy dinner.3 stars

Samantha Marceau
December 12, 2022 9:03 am
Reply to  Brittany

We’re sorry this didn’t quite work out for you, Brittany!