Meatloaf is a cut of meat from the lower belly or chest area. The flavor is solid and rich, with plenty of collagen and fat. Meatloaf is traditionally cooked low and slow over indirect heat until tender.
There are several methods of cooking meatloaf, but none are as quick, convenient, affordable, or effective as an air fryer. Air frying has its benefits and drawbacks, but it provides a foolproof way to cook a good meatloaf without having to go through the hassle of using charcoal or gas.
Equipment You’ll Need
The tools needed for cooking meatloaf include a large skillet, a roasting pan, baking sheets, a mixing bowl, a food processor, measuring cups and spoons, and a meat thermometer. You also need a large skillet, a cutting board, and a sharp knife.
Recipe-1 (Baked)
- Prep Time: 15 min
- Cook Time: 1 hr 25 min
- Serving: 6 people
- Cooking Difficulty: Easy
- Cuisine: American
- Course Type: Main Dish
- Calories: 563
Ingredients
- Beef Meatloaf
- Beef broth,
- water,
- brown sugar,
- Worcestershire sauce
- Soy sauce.
 Directions
- Mix water, brown sugar, Worcestershire sauce, soy sauce, and beef broth in a bowl.
- Place the meatloaf in an air fryer basket and pour half of this mixture over it.
- Then add another layer of meat and pour the remaining liquid on top of the meat again.
- Cook at 390° F for 1 hour and 15 minutes or until fork tender (the internal temperature should be 180° F).
- Remove from cooker; allow to rest 10 minutes before slicing across the grain into 1/4-inch thick slices.
Recipe-2 (Air Fried)
- Prep Time: 15 min
- Cook Time: 20 min
- Serving: 4 people
- Cooking Difficulty: Easy
- Cuisine: American
- Course Type: Main Dish
- Calories: 510
Ingredients for Air Fryer Meatloaf
- One beef chuck roast (3-4 pounds)
- salt, pepper, and garlic powder to taste
- cayenne pepper to taste
- celery salt to taste
- onion powder to taste
- brown sugar for caramelization and flavor
Directions for Air Fryer Meatloaf
- First, preheat your air fryer to 400 degrees F.
- Place the Meatloaf in a single layer on top of a wire rack set on a foil-lined baking sheet or roasting pan with two tablespoons of olive oil, one tablespoon of honey, and one teaspoon of kosher salt brushed onto each side.
- Cook for 5 minutes per side, then turn over and cook five more minutes per side.
- After 15 minutes total, remove the Meatloaf from the heat, and cover it with aluminum foil. Let it rest.
Recipe-3 (Using a Whole Meatloaf Cut)
- Prep Time: 10 min
- Cook Time: 30 min
- Serving: 4 people
- Cooking Difficulty: Easy
- Cuisine: American
- Course Type: Main Dish
- Calories: 580
Ingredients
- One whole Meatloaf
- Two tablespoons of salt
- Two tablespoons of pepper
- Two tablespoons of garlic powder
- One tablespoon onion powder (or if you don’t have any, use ground onion instead)
Directions
- Preheat the air fryer to 375 degrees. Pat the whole Meatloaf dry with paper towels to remove excess moisture.
- Place the Meatloaf in an empty basket, fat side up.
- Bake for 30 minutes or until it reaches an internal temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit (73 Celsius). Flip over and cook for another 30 minutes or until the internal temperature is 165 degrees Fahrenheit (73 Celsius).
- Turn once again, ensuring that all sides are evenly cooked and browned nicely on both sides of the meat.
Recipe-4
- Prep Time: 15 min
- Cook Time: 60 min
- Serving: 4 people
- Cooking Difficulty: Easy
- Cuisine: American
- Course Type: Main Dish
- Calories: 563
Ingredients
- Two tablespoons of chili powder
- Two tablespoons salt
- One tablespoon of garlic powder
- One tablespoon of onion powder
- One tablespoon of black pepper
- One tablespoon sugar
- Two teaspoons of dry mustard
- One crushed bay leaf
- 4 lbs trimmed beef meatloaf
- 1 and 1/2 cups of beef stock
 Directions
- Preheat the fryer to 350 °F.Â
- Cut Meatloaf to fit the tray of your air fryer.
- Mix the chili powder, garlic powder, salt, onion powder, bay leaf, dry mustard, black pepper, and sugar.
- Rub the seasoning all over the Meatloaf, ensuring you get the sides.
- Place the rubbed Meatloaf on a tray (or trays) and fit it into your machine. Set the timer to 350 for 1 hour.
- At the end of 1 hour, make a foil boat around the Meatloaf and add beef stock. Seal it well and get it
- back into the air fryer. Lower the air fryer temp to 300 °F, and cook for 3 hours, or until fork-tender.
Trim the fat and slice the meat thinly across the grain. Top with juice from the pan.
Some Extra Tips from YouTube Videos
1. Do not use foil to air fry meatloafs. The foil inhibits the airflow.
2. Be sure about the quantity. A large chunk of Meatloaf may not fit in your machine. Then cut them into the correct size.
3. Make a foil boat adding beef broth after one hour of air frying meatloaf
Statistics
Cook according to the recipe below, about 9-12 minutes depending on thickness.Â
Source: spendwithpennies
Frequently Asked Questions [FAQs]
1. Can you air-fry leftover Meatloaf?Â
Yes. You can air-fry leftover Meatloaf with some added spices for a delicious breakfast burrito. The trick is to ensure it doesn’t get too dry before cooking.
2. Can you put foil in an air fryer?
Yes, you can use aluminum foil in any air fryer. However, it will make the food taste metallic and won’t be able to cook at high temperatures.
3. Can you slow cook with an air fryer?
Yes. Using an air fryer, you can cook foods like chicken wings, burgers, and even fish fillets. Ensure the food is completely dry before placing it into the air fryer.
4. Can you cook a meatloaf medium rare?
Yes, it can be done. Meatloafs are best cooked for about 3–4 hours at 275° F. The meat should reach a temperature of 145 degrees F before being removed from the oven. After removing, rest for 10 minutes, then slice against the grain.
5. What sides go with Meatloaf?
Meatloaf goes well with potatoes and beans.
6. How to make burnt ends in an air fryer?
You can make burnt ends by cooking meat until it is almost done, then placing it into the air fryer for some more minutes.
7. Can you cook from frozen in an air fryer?
Yes, it’s perfectly fine to use frozen food in an air fryer. The only thing you need to be careful about is that you don’t overfill the basket with food. If you do, there will be too much space between each piece of food which can cause them to steam instead of being cooked properly.
8. Can you put microwave meals in an air fryer?
Yes, you can use an air-fryer for cooking food with microwaves.
9. How long does it take to cook meatloaf an air fryer?
The cooking time for meatloafs depends on how thick they are and if they’re cooked with sauce, gravy, etc. Depending on these factors, you can expect to spend between thirty minutes and an hour.
10. Is corned beef the same as Meatloaf?
Meatloaf has less fat than most other cuts and is usually braised or stewed instead of roasted. Corned beef comes from the lower part of the Meatloaf and is typically boiled or baked.
Conclusion
Making a good meatloaf is easy with an air fryer and these recipes. Beef meatloaf is an excellent cut of meat, but it can also be tough to cook correctly. Air fryers help you get the perfect texture and are easy to use. These recipes are delicious, healthy, and made with simple ingredients that you have on hand already. We hope our article seems helpful to you.
Meet our air fryer recipe expert, Jenny J. Brown. Jenny is a culinary enthusiast with a passion for creating healthy, delicious meals using the latest kitchen appliances. As an experienced home cook and food blogger, Jenny has spent years experimenting with air fryer recipes and perfecting her techniques to create meals that are both nutritious and satisfying.
