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    Urban Bliss Life » All Recipes » Air Fryer Recipes » Air Fryer Meatloaf

    Published: August 15, 2022 / Updated: August 15, 2022 by Marlynn Jayme Schotland · This post may contain affiliate links.

    Air Fryer Meatloaf

    6 shares
    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe
    slices of glazed air fryer meatloaf with title text overlay.
    slices of glazed air fryer meatloaf with title text overlay.
    slices of glazed air fryer meatloaf with title text overlay.

    Air Fryer Meatloaf made with ground turkey and glazed with a tangy sauce is a fast and easy weeknight dinner the whole family will love!

    glazed slices of air fryer meatloaf on a white plate with greens and red striped napkin..

    Meatloaf has long been an American dinnertime favorite. We've been making meatloaf for our family for decades, and I think you'll love this modern air fryer turkey meatloaf version!

    Feel free to use the links below to jump to different sections of this post.

    Jump to:
    • 📚 History of meatloaf
    • 🌟 Why you'll love air fryer turkey meatloaf
    • 🛒 Ingredient notes
    • ✅ Step-by-step instructions
    • ❓ Recipe FAQs
    • 🥘 Kitchen tools
    • 🍽 Side dishes
    • 🍷 Best wine pairings
    • More air fryer dinner recipes
    • Air Fryer Meatloaf Recipe

    📚 History of meatloaf

    The dish's origins go way back to the fifth century, when the first iteration of meatloaf appears in medieval Europe. This first version was apparently a "loaf" of scraps, including meats, fruits, seasonings, and nuts.

    According to Bon Appetit magazine, meatloaf first appears in American cuisine around the 1870s. Meatloaf was a great way to use up meat scraps and make them last longer, but back then, it was more often eaten for breakfast - not dinner. Then it became super popular in the 1890s thanks to the advent of industrial meatpacking.

    Fast forward to 2022, and Americans and meatloaf lovers across the world are still enjoying this culinary concoction. And today, it's made even faster and easier, thanks to the almighty air fryer!

    🌟 Why you'll love air fryer turkey meatloaf

    • Thanks to the air fryer, you can make this in about half the time it takes for traditional baked meatloaf. This recipe takes just 30 minutes of prep and cooking time, plus 10 minutes to let the meat rest before slicing into it.
    • Meatloaf made in the air fryer is just as easy to make as traditional baked meatloaf.
    • You only need pantry-friendly ingredients. We're talking the basics, that can also easily be substituted.
    • Using ground turkey instead of traditional ground beef generally cuts saturated fat in half. Ground turkey also has about 50 less calories than ground beef.

    🛒 Ingredient notes

    bowls of ingredients to make air fryer meatloaf on top of a yellow table.

    Ground turkey - Our recipe calls for ground turkey, but you can certainly substitute ground beef.

    Onions - you can either chop or grate the onions. Both work, but if you grate the onions, this releases the juices and adds moisture to the meatloaf, making it juicier. So when possible, we prefer to grate the onions versus chop them.

    bowls with ketchup, brown sugar, and worcestershire sauce on a yellow table.

    Ingredients for the glaze - The glaze for this turkey meatloaf is made with just three ingredients: ketchup, light brown sugar, and Worcestershire sauce.

    ✅ Step-by-step instructions

    ingredients to make meatloaf in a clear glass bowl on top of marble.
    hands in black gloves forming a meatloaf with the ingredients in a glass bowl on top of marble table.
    1. In a large bowl, mix together all of the ingredients for the main meatloaf, from the ground turkey through the finely chopped parsley.
    2. Mix together until the ingredients are well distributed and combined.
    meatloaf on top of aluminum foil in an air fryer.
    meatloaf on top of aluminum foil in an air fryer.

    3. Form a meatloaf, approximately 6-inches long, 3 to 4 inches wide, and about 2 inches tall. Create a foil sling by laying a piece of foil at the bottom of the air fryer basket and up the sides. This will make it easier to lift the meatloaf out of the air fryer.

    4. Spray the foil with cooking spray. Place the meatloaf on top of the foil.

    Air fry at 350°F for 20 minutes.

    white bowl with ketchup and brown sugar on top of a marble counter.
    brushing sauce on top of meatloaf on top of foil.

    5. Meanwhile, make the glaze: in a medium bowl, whisk together the glaze ingredients until smooth and well combined.

    6. At 20 minutes, remove the air fryer basket and brush half of the glaze over the top and sides of the meatloaf. Return to the air fryer and air fry at 350°F for another 5 minutes.

    meatloaf in foil in an air fryer basket with sauce on the side.
    glazed slices of air fryer meatloaf on a white plate with greens and red striped napkin..

    7. When cooking is complete, remove from the air fryer and brush with remaining glaze.

    8. Allow the meatloaf to rest for about 10 minutes before slicing into it.

    ❓ Recipe FAQs

    How do I keep my turkey meatloaf from drying out?

    There are a few tricks that we use here to keep the turkey from being too dry. One, is to grate the onions. This helps release the onion juices and adds moisture to the turkey meat. The second trick is that we add milk, which adds a creamy liquid to keep the meatloaf from drying out. Finally, we also use Worcestershire sauce and ketchup in the meatloaf mixture itself, as well as in the glaze, to add both moisture and umami flavors to the meatloaf.

    What is in meatloaf to keep it from falling apart?

    The egg and the breadcrumbs both act as binding agents to hold together the meatloaf. In our recipe tests, this meatloaf has never fallen apart. Using leaner meat like ground turkey also helps the meatloaf keep its shape!

    What's the best way to store leftovers?

    Allow the meatloaf to cool completely, then store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.

    🥘 Kitchen tools

    Ninja Foodi air fryer behind a plate of sliced meatloaf with red striped napkin.

    As you can imagine, you'll need an air fryer for this air fryer meatloaf recipe. This recipe will work in any 6 to 10 quart airfryer. It will also work in air fryers that have baskets or trays.

    I love making meatloaf in my 10-quart Ninja Foodi Dual Zone Air Fryer (pictured above). One loaf fits perfectly in one of the baskets and air fries beautifully.

    🍽 Side dishes

    glazed slices of air fryer turkey meatloaf on a white plate with greens.

    This air fryer meatloaf is absolutely delicious when served with Creamy Instant Pot Garlic Mashed Potatoes or Instant Pot Garlic Rice.

    It's also wonderful with bread, such as Garlic Parmesan Knots or Pandesal (Filipino rolls). Then just add a side salad or a side of veggies like Air Fryer Broccoli or Rosemary Glazed Roasted Carrots.

    🍷 Best wine pairings

    When enjoying a hearty meatloaf that has a tangy glaze topping, try pairing it with a light-bodied red wine. A Gamay from Beaujolais or an Oregon Pinot Noir would pair deliciously with this turkey meatloaf!

    More air fryer dinner recipes

    • Air Fryer Whole Chicken
    • Air Fryer Paprika Chicken
    • Air Fryer Crab Legs
    • Air Fryer Teriyaki Salmon

    Did you make this recipe? Don't forget to leave a 5-Star 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 rating in the recipe card, and if you really loved it, please leave a comment further down on the page. Thank you!

    glazed slices of air fryer meatloaf on a white plate with greens and red striped napkin..

    Air Fryer Meatloaf Recipe

    5 from 5 votes
    Prep Time: 10 mins
    Cook Time: 20 mins
    Rest time: 10 mins
    Total Time: 40 mins
    Recipe by Marlynn Schotland
    This tasty, moist ground turkey meatloaf is on the table in less than an hour.
    Servings: 4 people
    Calories: 274kcal
    PRINT PIN RATE

    Equipment

    • Air Fryer

    Ingredients

    • 1 pound ground turkey
    • ½ cup breadcrumbs
    • ½ cup finely diced yellow onion
    • 1 garlic clove, minced
    • ¼ cup milk
    • 1 large egg
    • 2 teaspoons ketchup
    • 2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
    • ½ teaspoon kosher salt
    • ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
    • 2 teaspoons finely chopped parsley

    Glaze

    • ½ cup ketchup
    • 2 Tablespoons packed light brown sugar
    • 1 teaspoon worcestershire sauce

    Instructions

    • In a large bowl, mix together all of the ingredients for the main meatloaf, from the ground turkey through the finely chopped parsley. Mix together until the ingredients are well distributed and combined.
    • Form a meatloaf, approximately 6-inches long, 3 to 4 inches wide, and about 2 inches tall.
    • Create a foil sling by laying a piece of foil at the bottom of the air fryer basket and up the sides. This will make it easier to lift the meatloaf out of the air fryer.
    • Spray the foil with cooking spray. Place the meatloaf on top of the foil.
    • Air fry at 350°F for 20 minutes.
    • Meanwhile, make the glaze: in a medium bowl, whisk together the glaze ingredients until smooth and well combined.
    • At 20 minutes, remove the air fryer basket and brush half of the glaze over the top and sides of the meatloaf. Return to the air fryer and air fry at 350°F for another 5 minutes.
    • When cooking is complete, remove from the air fryer and brush with remaining glaze. Allow the meatloaf to rest for about 10 minutes before slicing into it.

    Notes

    TRAY-STYLE AIR FRYERS: If you are using an air fryer with trays instead of a basket, remove the top tray and place the meatloaf on the bottom tray. 
    TIPS FOR MOIST GROUND TURKEY MEATLOAF: the ketchup, milk, and Worcestershire sauce in the meatloaf help keep the meat moist while it cooks, but be careful not to over-mix the ingredients. Over-mixing can result in drier meatloaf. Also, every air fryer is different - some run hotter and cook faster than others. You want to use a thermometer to double check that the meat is done, and you only want to cook the meat *just* until it reaches 165°F. Then take the meat out and let it rest. 
    STORAGE: Allow the meatloaf to cool completely, then store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. 
    Tried this recipe?Please leave a star rating and comment! Then snap a pic of your dish and share it on social media. Tag @UrbanBlissLife and #UrbanBlissLife!

    Nutrition

    Calories: 274kcal | Carbohydrates: 28g | Protein: 31g | Fat: 5g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 1g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 105mg | Sodium: 825mg | Potassium: 569mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 16g | Vitamin A: 288IU | Vitamin C: 4mg | Calcium: 74mg | Iron: 2mg

    Nutrition information is a general estimate. Actual nutrition details may vary depending on the exact foods & brands you use to make this recipe. It does not take into account any substitutions, toppings, or optional ingredients.

    author holding ninja foodi cookbook forward with informational text box next to it.

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      Reader Interactions

      Comments

      1. Jamie says

        August 15, 2022 at 9:13 pm

        5 stars
        This was so delicious and satisfying! The glaze on top was just the right amount of sweetness. Yum!

        Reply
      2. Gina Abernathy says

        August 15, 2022 at 7:48 pm

        5 stars
        Meatloaf is pure comfort food. Thanks for the air-fryer recipe. So good!

        Reply
      3. Caitlin says

        August 15, 2022 at 7:37 pm

        5 stars
        My first time trying air fryer meatloaf and I was not disappointed! It worked so well and was so delicious.

        Reply
      4. rebecca says

        August 15, 2022 at 5:55 pm

        5 stars
        I've never even thought of making meatloaf in an air fryer, but what a great idea! Air fryer recipes are always so juicy!

        Reply

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      Marlynn Jayme Schotland 2021 profile pic

      Hi! Thanks for stopping by! I'm Marlynn - a cookbook author, writer, photographer, and mom of two teenagers + a lovable lab retriever. Here you'll find my fast, easy, and delicious recipes, wine pairings, and travel guides. I hold a WSET 2 with Distinction in wine, and am a member of Society of American Travel Writers (SATW) and the International Food, Wine, and Travel Writers Association (IFWTWA).

      More about me →

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