Kid-Approved Meatloaf in the Air Fryer

The Very Best Air Fryer Meatloaf

Y’all. When I say this is the very best air fryer meatloaf I mean that this is the very best meatloaf recipe ever. Even my picky eaters who don’t really like meatloaf LOVE this one and request it often. You will fall in love with this recipe in the air fryer because it is way more fun than making traditional meatloaf and saves you a lot of time too!

If you have any picky eaters in your home, you are going to love this kid-approved meatloaf in the air fryer!

What You Need for Air Fryer Meatloaf

For this recipe, you are going to need ingredients for the meat and then for an amazing, tangy ketchup glaze. The secret to amazing meatloaf is fresh parsley. Don’t skip out of this ingredient. It is a make or break deal. You will also need for the meatloaf:

• 1 cup crushed saltines (30 crackers)
• 1 cup milk
• 1/4 cup minced fresh parsley
• 2 large eggs, lightly beaten
• 2 teaspoons onion powder
• 3 garlic cloves, finely minced or 1 teaspoon garlic powder
•  1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
• 3 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
• 1 1/2 teaspoons coarse Kosher salt
• 1/2 teaspoon coarse black pepper
• 2 pounds ground meat (I use half ground beef/half ground pork)

For the glaze, I like more sauce with my meatloaf. So I made a little more so that I would have plenty to use with the meatloaf after plating. As such, feel free to experiment with the amount here to match your own preferences. You will need:

• 1 cup ketchup or BBQ sauce (or a combination)
• 3 tablespoons brown sugar
• 3 tablespoons red wine vinegar (you could also use apple cider vinegar)

How to Make Meatloaf for the Air Fryer

First, remember to preheat your air fryer at 375°F at least 5 minutes before you place the meatloaf inside.

Next, you will mix the crushed saltines and milk together and let it sit for about 10 minutes. Then add in the rest of the ingredients besides the meat and mix it together really well. Then fold in the meat.

You can shape your meatloaf for the air fryer in two different ways:

1. You can shape the meat mixture into even palm sized patties or loaves. The trick with cooking meat in the air fryer is that it needs to be the same thickness throughout the entire patty so it can cook evenly.
2. Or you can use a silicone mold dish to make meatloaf bites. All you need to do is fill each of the mold with meatloaf (about 4 tablespoons worth)

Cook the meatloaf in the air fryer for 15 minutes at 375°F. Then glaze the meatloaf with half of the glaze sauce. Next, cook for another 6-10 minutes or until the meat thermometer registers at least 160°F

You will love this Flavorful Air Fryer Meatloaf

You will enjoy eating this air fryer meatloaf with:

• Buttermilk mashed potatoes 
• Corn on the Cob or this amazing and simple cream corn
• Easy Air fryer asparagus or oven roasted asparagus
• Savory Air Fryer Carrots or Easy Orange-Glazed Carrots on the Grill
• Cauliflower Broccoli Pea Salad Recipe (With Bacon!)

Final Thoughts

There you have it, the very best, kid-approved meatloaf in the air fryer. This is one of our favorite go-to recipes for dinner. I love that it only takes a little over half an hour to make and that EVERYONE loves it in our home. Its a perfect recipe for a busy night or a nice sit down dinner.

Is your family meatloaf fans? I can’t wait to hear how this one turns out for you! Tell me about it in the comments below.

Try more of these kid-friendly recipes in the air fryer:

• How to Make Nachos in the Air Fryer
• Tasty Air Fryer Chicken and Veggies with Balsamic Marinade
• Perfect Air Fryer Pork Tenderloin with Balsamic Marinade

Have air fryer questions? Check out these useful guides and download this free Top 18 Air Fryer Tips:

• Don’t make these common Air Fryer Mistakes!
• Air Fryer 101
• How to Clean Your Air Fryer

Kid-Approved Meatloaf in the Air Fryer

My picky eaters who don’t really like meatloaf LOVE this one and request it often. You will fall in love with this recipe in the air fryer because it is way more fun than making traditional meatloaf and saves you a lot of time too!

4.45 / 5 ( 9 Reviews )

Print Rate

Prep Time: 20 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 10 minutes minutes

Total Time: 30 minutes minutes

Serves: 6

Adjust Servings: 6

US CustomaryMetric

Equipment

• Air Fryer

Ingredients

• 1 cup crushed saltines 30 crackers
• 1 cup milk
• ¼ cup fresh parsley minced
• 2 large eggs lightly beaten
• 2 teaspoons onion powder
• 3 garlic cloves finely minced or 1 teaspoon garlic powder 
• 1 tbsp Dijon mustard
• 3 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
• 1.5 teaspoons coarse Kosher salt
• ½ teaspoons coarse black pepper
• 2 pounds ground meat I use half ground beef/half ground pork

Glaze (mix together)

• 1 cup ketchup or BBQ sauce, or a combination
• 3 tbsp brown sugar
• 3 tbsp red wine vinegar you could also use apple cider vinegar

Instructions

• Preheat your air fryer at 375°F/190°C for 5 minutes.
• Mix the crushed saltines and milk together and let it sit for about 10 minutes
• Add in the rest of the ingredients besides the meat and mix it together really well. Then fold in the meat.
• You can shape your meatloaf for the air fryer in two different ways:

  1. Shape the meat mixture into even palm sized patties or loaves. The trick with cooking meat in the air fryer is that it needs to be the same thickness throughout the entire patty so it can cook evenly.

  2. Or you can use a silicone mold dish to make meatloaf bites. All you need to do is fill each of the mold with meatloaf (about 4 tablespoons worth)
• Cook the meatloaf in the air fryer for 15 minutes at 375°F/190°C. Then glaze the meatloaf with half of the glaze sauce. Next, cook for another 6-10 minutes or until the meat thermometer registers at least 160°F/71°C.

Nutrition

Calories: 3384kcal | Carbohydrates: 180g | Protein: 187g | Fat: 206g | Sodium: 7923mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 107g