Air-Fryer Meatloaf

Comfort food just got so much easier with this amazing air-fryer meatloaf that busy families absolutely love! You’ll get that perfect crispy outside and tender, juicy inside in just 35 minutes – way faster than the oven.

Recipe Details

Timing & Servings: Active Time: 10 minutes, Total Time: 35 minutes, Serves: 6 people.

Nutrition Profile: Nut-Free, Dairy-Free, Soy-Free, High-Protein.

Nutrition Facts (per serving): 255 Calories, 13g Fat, 11g Carbs, 24g Protein.

Ingredients You’ll Need

Ground beef: You’ll need 1 pound of 90%-lean ground beef, which gives you the perfect balance of flavor and less grease. The leaner meat works great in the air fryer!

Ground pork: Half a pound of ground pork adds amazing moisture and rich flavor to your meatloaf. It’s the secret to keeping it super juicy!

Egg: One large egg lightly beaten helps bind everything together perfectly. Just give it a quick whisk with a fork.

Italian-seasoned panko breadcrumbs: You’ll need ½ cup of these crispy breadcrumbs that add great texture and flavor. Regular panko works too if that’s what you have!

Yellow onion: A quarter cup of finely chopped yellow onion gives you that classic meatloaf taste. White onion works great too!

Fresh parsley: ¼ cup chopped fresh parsley adds a lovely fresh flavor and pretty green color throughout.

Worcestershire sauce: 1½ tablespoons of this tangy sauce brings that deep, savory flavor that makes meatloaf so good.

Garlic: Two cloves minced give you just the right amount of garlicky goodness without being too strong.

Kosher salt and pepper: ½ teaspoon each of kosher salt and ground pepper seasons everything perfectly.

How to Make Air-Fryer Meatloaf

Step 1: Preheat your air fryer to 350°F for 5 minutes. Mix ground beef, ground pork, egg, panko, onion, parsley, Worcestershire, garlic, salt, pepper and 3 tablespoons ketchup in a large bowl. Stir until everything is well combined but don’t overmix.

Step 2: Divide the mixture in half and shape each half into a loaf. Make them about 3-by-6-by-1½ inches – they should fit nicely in your air fryer basket.

Step 3: Place both meatloaves in the air-fryer basket. Cook until an instant-read thermometer reads 155°F in the center, about 25 minutes.

Step 4: Brush the meatloaves with the remaining 2 tablespoons ketchup. Continue cooking until the thermometer reads 165°F, about 3 more minutes.

Step 5: Let the meatloaves rest for 5 minutes before slicing. This helps keep all those delicious juices inside!

Easy and Quick Air-Fryer Meatloaf Version

Want to make this even faster? You can use pre-minced garlic from a jar – just use 2 teaspoons instead of fresh cloves! Also, if you have leftover cooked onions in your fridge, use those instead of chopping fresh ones. You can even skip the parsley if you don’t have it – the meatloaf will still taste amazing!

Serving Ideas

This hearty meatloaf makes a complete meal that everyone will love! Serve it with creamy mashed potatoes and steamed green beans for the ultimate comfort food dinner. Roasted vegetables or a simple side salad work great too!

Storage

Store leftover meatloaf in the fridge for up to 4 days in a covered container. To reheat, pop slices in the air fryer at 350°F for 3-4 minutes, or microwave for 30-60 seconds until heated through.

Substitutions

No ground pork? You can use all ground beef instead – just add an extra tablespoon of Worcestershire for flavor. Regular breadcrumbs work fine if you don’t have panko. You can swap the fresh parsley for 1 tablespoon dried parsley too!

Pro Tips

Don’t overmix: Mix just until combined to keep your meatloaf tender and not tough.
Use a thermometer: This ensures your meatloaf is perfectly cooked and safe to eat every time.
Let it rest: Those 5 minutes of resting time really do make a difference for juicy slices!
Make mini loaves: Smaller loaves cook more evenly in the air fryer than one big loaf.

FAQs

Can I make this with just ground beef?

You bet! Just use 1½ pounds of ground beef instead of the beef and pork combo. The meatloaf will still be delicious, just a little less rich and moist.

What if my air fryer is smaller?

No worries! You can make 4 smaller individual loaves instead. Just reduce the cooking time to about 15-20 minutes and check with your thermometer.

Can I freeze this meatloaf?

Sure! You can freeze the cooked meatloaf for up to 3 months. Thaw it overnight in the fridge, then reheat in the air fryer until warmed through.

Do I need to flip the meatloaf while cooking?

Nope! The air fryer circulates heat all around, so you don’t need to flip it. Just let it cook and you’ll get that perfect crispy outside!

I’d love to hear how your air-fryer meatloaf turns out! Drop a comment and let me know if you tried any fun variations. Happy cooking, friends!