Air fryer mini meatloaf is a delicious and comforting meal that can be prepared quickly and easily, using the versatile and convenient appliance that many have come to love.
The air fryer offers a healthier cooking alternative because it uses hot air circulation to cook food with little to no oil, giving you a crispy and juicy result every time. Mini meatloaves are great for portion control and can add some fun variety to your dinner rotation too.
Making mini meatloaves in the air fryer can significantly reduce the cooking time compared to using an oven, making it an ideal choice for busy weeknight dinners. Before you know it, you will have perfectly cooked mini meatloaves that your whole family will enjoy.
This mini meatloaf in air fryer recipe was inspired by my smoked bacon wrapped meatloaf and instant pot meatloaf recipe on this site, and pairs well with this collection of recipes in what to serve with meatloaf.
Why You Will Love This Recipe
- This super easy, customizable, air fryer mini meatloaf recipe takes less than 30 minutes from start to finish, and includes individual portions, making it perfect for busy weeknights.
- The air fryer's unique cooking method creates a crispy exterior while retaining the juicy, tender interior we all love in a classic meatloaf.
- Make a double batch of this freezer-friendly mini meatloaf recipe and have some ready for later, when you need a quick and delicious meal on the go throughout the week.
Ingredients
You'll only need a few basic ingredients to make this air fryer meatloaf recipe, and you can find them all in your kitchen and one quick trip to the grocery store.
- Lean Ground Beef - Besides ground beef, ground turkey, ground pork, ground lamb, ground sausage, ground chicken, or a combination instead.
- Plain Bread Crumbs - Helps bind the ingredients together. Flavored bread crumbs, panko breadcrumbs, crushed crackers, crumbled cornbread, rolled oats, or almond meal can be used instead.
- Large Egg - Acts as a binding agent and help the meatloaves hold their shape. You can also use an equal amount of mayo instead.
- Ketchup - Adds sweetness and tanginess to the meatloaves and can also be used as a glaze. Our onion ketchup, barbecue sauce, steak sauce, teriyaki sauce, tomato sauce, or mustard blended with ketchup, to taste, instead.
- Worcestershire Sauce - This sauce gives the meat mixture a smoky, savory flavor. Use soy sauce, tamari, balsamic vinegar, or fish sauce can be used instead. Please use fish sauce sparingly.
- Garlic Powder and Onion Powder - Add flavor but feel free to use your favorite seasonings instead.
- Salt and Black Pepper - The best flavor enhancers.
- Shredded Cheddar Cheese - Use mozzarella, Swiss, or Monterey Jack, a combination or your favorite cheese can be used instead.
- Olive Oil for greasing the air fryer basket
All the ingredients are listed here, but you can find the exact amounts in the recipe card at the end of the post.
Substitutions and Variations
By experimenting with different ingredients and flavors, you can create a meatloaf that suits your taste buds perfectly. Here are some ideas to get you started.
- Spicy: Add ¼ teaspoon or a bit of chili pepper flakes, diced jalapeno pepper, homemade hot pepper sauce, smoked paprika, our jalapeno powder, smoked jalapeno powder, or chipotle powder to the meat mixture for a bit of heat.
- Switch Flavor: Add different teaspoons of seasonings to make your mini meatloaf taste completely different like Italian seasoning, taco seasoning, onion soup mix, or even Greek seasoning.
- Add Grated Vegetables: Add ½ a small diced or grated onion, sweet pepper, hot pepper, zucchini, or carrot to boost nutritional value and add moisture to your mini meatloaf.
- Add Bacon: Add crumbled, bacon pieces or bits for more flavor.
Instructions
Making this meatloaf recipe is no more difficult than any other meatloaf recipe you've made in the past. It's just a matter of mixing and letting the air fryer do the rest!
The recipe highlights are right here, but you can find the exact instructions in the recipe card at the end of the post.
1: Combine the meatloaf ingredients in a bowl.
2: Divide evenly into four patties and air fry until done.
3: Top with ketchup, rest for a few minutes, and enjoy!
Hint: Make a thumbprint in the center of each patty so they stay flat with air frying.
If you love recipes like this, you may also enjoy our meatloaf seasoning recipe, Pork Meatloaf and best meatloaf pan.
Storage
Refrigerator:
To keep them fresh, store cooled leftovers in an airtight container or resealable bag, or wrap them in plastic wrap inside your fridge for up to 3 days, including the day you made them.
Freezer:
When freezing your Air Fryer Mini Meatloaf, you have a couple of options. You can choose to freeze them raw or cooked. Both methods have their advantages, and it's up to you to decide which one works best for your needs.
To freeze raw meatloaves, simply shape them into individual portions and place them on a lined baking sheet. Once they're solid, transfer them into a freezer-safe container or wrap them tightly in plastic wrap and aluminum foil before placing them in the freezer.
When you're ready to cook, remove your mini meatloaves from the freezer and follow your air fryer cooking instructions. Keep in mind that the cooking time may be slightly longer as they will need to thaw slightly before cooking.
You can also freeze cooked mini meatloaves. Simply cook your mini meatloaves in the air fryer. Allow them to cool completely before wrapping each one individually in plastic wrap, followed by a layer of aluminum foil.
Store them in a freezer-safe container for up to 2 months and when you're ready to enjoy them, reheat the mini meatloaves in your air fryer at a low temperature until they're warmed through.
Allow the mini meatloaves to cool down to room temperature. This step is crucial to avoid trapping moisture when you seal the container, which could lead to bacterial growth. I like to freeze on a rimmed baking sheet for a couple of hours. Then, wrap individually in plastic wrap and place in an airtight container or resealable bag.
Reheat:
Preheat the oven to 400 degrees or air fryer, place them in a single layer, and cook for 15-20 minutes in the oven or 4-6 minutes in a 375-degree air fryer, flipping halfway through. If meatloaf is becoming too dry during reheating add a tablespoon or so of water to the air fryer basket to help maintain moisture in your mini meatloaf and prevent it from drying out.
Make Ahead:
Once you've mixed the ingredients and shaped individual servings, place them on a tray. If you intend to freeze your mini meatloaves, ensure they are separated by parchment paper to prevent them from sticking together. Afterward, simply cover them well with plastic wrap or aluminum foil and place the tray in the freezer.
What to Serve with Mini Meatloaf
- Any one of our starch side dishes will work great, especially our mashed potatoes.
- A mixed green salad with fruit and nuts will provide a refreshing contrast to the richness of the meatloaf. Check out our bell pepper salad, easy tortellini pesto salad, broccoli salad, easy cold asparagus salad or Mediterranean tortellini caprese salad.
- Roasting some vegetables could not be easier like Balsamic roasted carrots and onions or easy roasted carrots, potatoes and onions, air fryer crispy roasted baby potatoes, or skillet roasted broccoli.
- Smoked sweet potatoes are a slightly sweet and healthier alternative to regular potatoes, cut them into wedges or cubes.
- Air fryer corn on the cob is a delicious and perfect, especially in the summer months or one of our best corn side dishes.
Tips
- Ensure the best cooking results by preheating your air fryer to the right temperature.
- If you notice that the meatloaf is becoming too dry during the reheating process, don't be afraid to add a tablespoon or so of water to the air fryer basket. This will help to maintain the moisture in your mini meatloaf and prevent it from drying out.
- Finely chop any vegetables you want to include to help your mini meatloaves cook evenly and keep their texture light and tender.
- Choose a mix of lean and fatty ground beef. Generally, a ratio of 80% lean meat and 20% fat will yield a tender and juicy outcome.
- To avoid a tough meatloaf, gently mix the ingredients until they are combined. Overmixing will cause the meatloaf to become dense.
- Make sure your meatloaves don't touch each other in the air fryer basket to ensure proper air circulation for even cooking.
- Use a digital meat thermometer to check the internal temperature of your mini meatloaf to confirm it's at least 160°F.
- To add moisture and flavor, brush on your favorite sauce near the end of cooking. Use ketchup, barbecue sauce, or your favorite.
- Once finished cooking, allow your mini meatloaf to rest for a few minutes before serving to allow the juices to redistribute and settle.
FAQ
Do you have questions about air fryer mini meatloaf? Here are some of the most commonly asked questions about this mini meatloaf in the air fryer.
Air Fryer Mini Meatloaf usually takes about 10 minutes to cook on 380°F, although the specific cooking time may vary depending on the size of the meatloaves and your air fryer.
Insert a meat thermometer into the center of the loaf to ensure it has reached an internal temperature of 160° F, which indicates that it is cooked through.
Make a divot in the center of the meatloaf patties with your thumb to keep them from contracting and forming balls.
Video
More Meatloaf Recipes
Do you like meatloaf? Here some recipes you may also like to try.
Ready to get cooking? Remember that you can print this recipe if you would like.
Air Fryer Mini Meatloaf
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 lb lean ground beef
- ½ cup plain bread crumbs
- 1 large egg
- ¼ cup ketchup plus more for serving
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- Olive oil for greasing the air fryer basket or cooking spray
Instructions
- Preheat your air fryer to 380°F (190°C).
- In a large bowl, combine the ground beef or ground turkey, plain breadcrumbs, egg, ¼ cup ketchup, Worcestershire sauce, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and black pepper.
- Add in the shredded cheddar cheese and mix until the ingredients are well combined.
- Divide the meat mixture into 4 equal portions and shape each portion.
- Grease your air fryer basket with cooking spray or a light coating of olive oil to prevent the loaves from sticking. You can also use parchment paper instead.
- Place the mini meatloaves in the air fryer basket and air fry for 8-10 minutes, flipping the meatloaves halfway through the cooking time. Continue cooking until their internal temperature reaches 160°F (71°C). Use an instant-read thermometer to check for doneness, because cooking times may vary depending on your air fryer model.
- Remove the mini loaves from the air fryer. If you want, brush the tops with additional ketchup for a flavorful glaze.
- Allow the meatloaves to rest for about 5 minutes before serving to retain their juices.
- Serve your mini meatloaves with a side of green beans, mashed potatoes, sweet potatoes, brown gravy, or a side salad.
Video
Notes
- Ensure the best cooking results by preheating your air fryer to the right temperature.
- If you notice that the meatloaf is becoming too dry during the reheating process, don't be afraid to add a tablespoon or so of water to the air fryer basket. This will help to maintain the moisture in your mini meatloaf and prevent it from drying out.
- Finely chop any vegetables you want to include to help your mini meatloaves cook evenly and keep their texture light and tender.
- Choose a mix of lean and fatty ground beef. Generally, a ratio of 80% lean meat and 20% fat will yield a tender and juicy outcome.
- To avoid a tough meatloaf, gently mix the ingredients until they are combined. Overmixing will cause the meatloaf to become dense.
- Make sure your meatloaves don't touch each other in the air fryer basket to ensure proper air circulation for even cooking.
- Use a digital meat thermometer to check the internal temperature of your mini meatloaf to confirm it's at least 160°F.
- To add moisture and flavor, brush on your favorite sauce near the end of cooking. Use ketchup, barbecue sauce, or your favorite.
- Once finished cooking, allow your mini meatloaf to rest for a few minutes before serving to allow the juices to redistribute and settle.
Katie says
We love this recipe and have taken steps to freeze a triple batch so they’re ready whenever we want them. So nice to remove exactly what I want and need from freezer. This recipe is definitely a keeper. Thx for sharing.
Karin and Ken says
As always you’re most welcome! I try my best. This is definitely a great recipe to have ready beforehand. I have some in my freezer as well. Thank you for taking the time to comment. You made my day. All the best. Karin
Sam says
Love this easy recipe. Usually use a pork and beef mixture and sometimes add bacon bits too. Always taste good and everyone loves them. You’re correct they freeze great too and it’s so easy to take out of freezer to cook. I freeze without glaze and add it when cookin meatloaf. Thx for sharing KD ❤️ Keep up the good work!
Karin and Ken says
A beef and pork blend tastes great and with bacon I imagine even better. These do freeze beautifully. I always have some inside my fridge too. Thank you for taking the time to let me know. All the best. Karin