Description
Delicious and juicy air fryer meatloaf cooked to perfection, ideal for a hearty meal.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 lbs Omaha Steaks premium ground beef, fresh
- 1 onion, finely chopped
- 2 eggs
- 1 Tbsp garlic powder
- 2 Tbsp ketchup
- 2 Tbsp fresh parsley, finely chopped
- 2 Tbsp Worcestershire sauce
- 1 1/4 cup Panko breadcrumbs
- 1/3 cup milk
- 2 tsp salt
- 1 1/2 tsp Italian seasoning
- 1 tsp ground black pepper
- 1/2 tsp ground paprika
- 1/2 tsp crushed dried red pepper
- 3/4 cup ketchup (for glaze)
- 2 1/2 Tbsp brown sugar
- 1 tsp garlic powder (for glaze)
- 1/2 tsp mustard
- 1/2 tsp onion powder
- 1/4 tsp ground black pepper (for glaze)
- 1/2 tsp smoked salt
- 1/4 tsp paprika (for glaze)
Instructions
- Shape the Meatloaf: Start by forming your meat mixture into a loaf shape. You want it to be nice and compact, which helps it cook evenly. As you shape it, give it a little squeeze to keep things together. If it is too loose, it might crumble when it cooks, so make sure it is packed well.
- Prep the Air Fryer: Preheat your air fryer to get it nice and hot. This step is key to ensuring your meatloaf browns beautifully and cooks thoroughly. You will want that sizzle right when you put it in. Forgetting to preheat can lead to uneven cooking, so do not skip this step!
- Cook the Meatloaf: Place your shaped meatloaf in the air fryer basket. Cook it until it is golden brown and the aroma fills your kitchen, about 30 minutes. Using a meat thermometer is super helpful here, as you will want to check for the right internal temperature of 160 degrees F.
- Rest Before Slicing: Let the meatloaf rest for a few minutes after cooking. This helps keep the juices inside, and the aroma will have your mouth watering! Cutting too soon might lead to a crumbly texture, so be patient it is worth the wait!
Notes
- Store leftover meatloaf in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- Do not overmix the meatloaf ingredients.
- Ensure you are using enough fat in the ground beef and consider adding more moisture such as milk or ketchup if the meatloaf is too dry.
- Make sure to pack the meat mixture tightly when forming the loaf to prevent it from crumbling and falling apart during cooking.
- If the outer layer is browning too quickly, consider covering the meatloaf with aluminum foil to protect it until it cooks through.
- For accurate cooking times, use a meat thermometer and aim for an internal temperature of 160 degrees F to ensure it is cooked properly.
- If you notice uneven browning, arranging the meatloaf in a single layer in the air fryer basket allows for better air circulation.
- Reheat leftover meatloaf in the air fryer at 350 degrees F for about 10 minutes or until heated through.
- Serve with mashed potatoes and gravy.
- Pair with steamed vegetables.
- Accompany with a side salad for freshness.
- Add diced bell peppers for extra crunch.
- Replace breadcrumbs with crushed crackers for a different texture.
- Incorporate shredded cheese inside the meatloaf for gooeyness.
- Using 80/20 lean-to-fat ratio ground beef works best for a juicy meatloaf.
- You can freeze the cooled meatloaf for up to 3 months, then thaw and reheat in the air fryer.
- You can prepare the meat mixture and store it in the refrigerator overnight before cooking.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 medium meatloaf
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 1g
- Sodium: 600mg
- Fat: 20g
- Saturated Fat: 7g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 15g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 30g
- Cholesterol: 90mg