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Air Fryer Meatloaf

Air fryer meatloaf with a caramelized ketchup glaze that forms a dark, golden crust all around in about 25 minutes. A quick meatloaf method shapes a small loaf for the air fryer basket, then finishes with a 5-minute rest for clean slices.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
rest 5 minutes
Total Time 40 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Main Dish
Cuisine: American
Calories: 410
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Meatloaf
  • 1 lb ground beef
  • 0.33 cup breadcrumbs
  • 1 egg
  • 3 tbsp milk
  • 1 small onion, finely grated
  • 2 clove garlic, minced
  • 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
  • 0.5 tsp garlic powder
  • Salt and pepper to taste
Glaze
  • 3 tbsp ketchup
  • 1 tbsp brown sugar
  • 1 tsp mustard

Equipment

  • 1 air fryer

Method
 

Mix and shape
  1. In a mixing bowl, combine ground beef, breadcrumbs, egg, milk, grated onion, minced garlic, Worcestershire sauce, garlic powder, and salt and pepper until evenly combined.
  2. Shape the mixture into a small loaf sized to fit your air fryer basket, about 7x4 inches, and place it in the basket.
Glaze and air fry
  1. Mix the glaze ingredients (ketchup, brown sugar, and mustard) and spread half over the top of the loaf.
  2. Air fry at 360°F for 20–22 minutes until the internal temperature reaches 160°F.
  3. At the 15-minute mark, spread the remaining glaze over the loaf so the ketchup crust caramelizes on top and sides.
Rest and serve
  1. Rest the meatloaf for 5 minutes before slicing to keep the interior moist.
  2. Slice and serve, aiming for clean cuts through the browned, caramelized glaze.

Notes

Pro tip: grate the onion finely so it distributes evenly and keeps the loaf tender; use a meat thermometer and pull when the center hits 160°F. Refrigerate leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3–4 days; freeze cooked slices for up to 2 months. For a lighter option, swap half the ground beef for lean ground turkey and keep the same glaze.