Air Fryer Meatloaf is the perfect weeknight dinner. It cooks up juicy and flavorful with a delicious crust on the outside. This is comfort food made easy!

For more beef dinner recipes, be sure to check out my Crockpot Beef Tacos, Easy Beef Enchiladas, and Taco Stuffed Sweet Potatoes.

two slices of meatloaf on a plate.

Meatloaf was a regular dinner at my house growing up and it’s one I still love to this day.

Now I love to make meatloaf in the air fryer because it cooks up super juicy and tender on the inside and forms a deliciously smoky crust on the outside. Plus it cooks a lot faster in the air fryer, too!

a glazed meatloaf on a serving platter.

Ingredients for Air Fryer Meatloaf

  • ground beef
  • breadcrumbs
  • ketchup
  • eggs
  • dried onions
  • milk
  • fresh parsley
  • dijon mustard
  • garlic powder, salt, and pepper
  • brown sugar
  • Worcestershire sauce
ingredients in bowls on a counter top.

How to Make Air Fryer Meatloaf – Step by Step

Step 1: Mix ingredients

Mix the ground beef, breadcrumbs, 1 tablespoon of the ketchup, eggs, dry onions, milk, parsley, dijon mustard, garlic powder, salt, and pepper together in a large bowl until combined.

Step 2: Form into loaf

Form the mixture into a 4-inch-thick loaf. Place the loaf into the basket of an air fryer fitted with a sheet of parchment paper.

how to make meatloaf in the air fryer step by step photos.

Step 3: Air fry

Spray the top with olive oil spray and cook in the air fryer at 370 degrees Fahrenheit for 20 minutes.

Step 4: Make sauce

In the meantime, whisk the remaining 1/3 cup of ketchup, brown sugar, and Worcestershire sauce together in a small bowl. After the meatloaf has cooked for 20 minutes, brush ¾ of the sauce onto the loaf.

Step 5: Finish cooking and serve

Cook for another 10 minutes, then brush the top with the remaining sauce. Cook for an additional 3-5 minutes until crust is nicely browned. Allow your air fryer meatloaf to rest for about 10 minutes before slicing and serving.

a cooked meatloaf in an air fryer.

Tips and Notes

  • Use 80/20 or 85/15 ground beef. This ratio of fat to meat helps ensure a juicy meatloaf.
  • Don’t overmix! Mix your ingredients until just combined without overworking the meat. This will help prevent your air fryer meatloaf from becoming tough or chewy.
  • Preheat your air fryer. I like to preheat my air fryer for a few minutes before adding the food. This ensures that the proper temperature has been reached and that your air fryer meatloaf will cook up perfectly. 
  • Line your air fryer. Placing a sheet of parchment paper in the bottom of your air fryer will keep the sauce from leaking to the bottom and also makes cleanup a lot easier.
  • Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to four days.
two slices of meatloaf on a plate with mashed potatoes and green beans.

FAQs

Can I use ground turkey or chicken?

I prefer to use 80/20 or 85/15 ground beef for air fryer meatloaf to ensure it turns out nice and juicy. Sometimes leaner cuts of meat can produce a dry or chewy meatloaf, so I don’t recommend using those for this recipe.

Can I make this in the oven instead?

Yes, prepare as directed and bake in a 350 degree oven for 55 minutes to 1 hour. Brush with the glaze in the last 10-15 minutes of baking time.

Can you freeze meatloaf?

Meatloaf is a great “make ahead and freeze” meal. Simply prepare as directed and wrap your raw loaf tightly with plastic wrap and then again in aluminum foil. Freeze for up to 6 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator, then air fry as directed in the recipe.

two slices of meatloaf on a plate with mashed potatoes and green beans.
a spatula holding a slice of meatloaf.
a meatloaf on a plate cut into slices.

If you try this recipe, please leave a comment and rating below. I love to hear from you and always appreciate your feedback!

5 from 38 ratings

Recipe: Air Fryer Meatloaf

Yield: 10 slices
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 35 minutes
Total Time: 45 minutes
Air Fryer Meatloaf is the perfect weeknight dinner. It cooks up juicy and flavorful with a delicious crust on the outside. This is comfort food made easy!

Ingredients

  • 2 pounds ground beef
  • 3/4 cup dry plain breadcrumbs
  • 1/3 cup + 1 Tablespoon ketchup
  • 2 eggs
  • 3 Tablespoons dry minced onions
  • 1 Tablespoon milk
  • 1 Tablespoon freshly minced parsley
  • 1 teaspoon dijon mustard
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
  • 1/2 cup brown sugar
  • 2 Tablespoon Worcestershire sauce

Instructions
 

  • Mix the ground beef, breadcrumbs, 1 tablespoon of the ketchup, eggs, dry onions, milk, parsley, dijon mustard, garlic powder, salt, and pepper together in a large bowl until combined.
  • Form the mixture into a 4-inch-thick loaf. Place the loaf into the basket of an air fryer fitted with a sheet of parchment paper.
  • Spray the top with olive oil spray and cook in the air fryer at 370 degrees Fahrenheit for 20 minutes.
  • In the meantime, whisk the remaining 1/3 cup of ketchup, brown sugar, and Worcestershire sauce together in a small bowl. After the meatloaf has cooked for 20 minutes, brush ¾ of the sauce onto the loaf.
  • Cook for another 10 minutes, then brush the top with the remaining sauce. Cook for an additional 3-5 minutes until crust is nicely browned. Allow your meatloaf to rest for about 10 minutes before slicing and serving.

Notes

  • Use 80/20 or 85/15 ground beef. This ratio of fat to meat helps ensure a juicy meatloaf.
  • Don’t overmix! Mix your ingredients until just combined without overworking the meat. This will help prevent your air fryer meatloaf from becoming tough or chewy.
  • Preheat your air fryer. I like to preheat my air fryer for a few minutes before adding the food. This ensures that the proper temperature has been reached and that your air fryer meatloaf will cook up perfectly. 
  • Line your air fryer. Placing a sheet of parchment paper in the bottom of your air fryer will keep the sauce from leaking to the bottom and also makes cleanup a lot easier.
  • Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to four days.
Cuisine: American
Course: Main Dish
Calories: 337kcal, Carbohydrates: 21g, Protein: 18g, Fat: 19g, Saturated Fat: 7g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g, Monounsaturated Fat: 8g, Trans Fat: 1g, Cholesterol: 97mg, Sodium: 556mg, Potassium: 361mg, Fiber: 1g, Sugar: 13g, Vitamin A: 95IU, Vitamin C: 1mg, Calcium: 56mg, Iron: 3mg
Did you make this recipe?Let me know! Mention @TheBelleoftheKitchen on Instagram or tag #BelleoftheKitchen.