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The Easiest 30 minute Air Fryer Meatloaf Recipe

From yucky to yummy! A meatloaf recipe that transforms childhood nightmares into a family favorite. Ready in under 30 minutes with an air fryer.

The Easiest 30 minute Air Fryer Meatloaf Recipe

Growing up, meatloaf was the epitome of yuckiness for me. A grey lump of mystery meat, with a texture that could only be described as simultaneously tough and slimy, and don't even get me started on those crunchy chunks of raw onions. Needless to say, I wasn't a fan.

But times have changed, and my mom has passed along an easy meatloaf recipe that is now a family favorite. With some modifications for an air fryer, you can have this dish ready in under 30 minutes instead of the usual hour plus in a traditional oven. Who has time for that anyway?

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Ingredients

  • 1 lb ground beef or ground meatloaf mix (2:1 beef to pork)
  • 1/2 cup quick oatmeal
  • 1/2 cup milk
  • 1 egg
  • 1/2 a medium yellow onion, finely diced (or grated for raw onion haters)
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced

Optional step for raw onion haters: Heat a tablespoon of oil in a pan. Brown the onions in the pan for approximately 5 minutes, then add the minced garlic and continue cooking for an additional 30 seconds. This takes some of the sharpness out of the onions, softens their texture, and brings out the sweetness.

Topping

  • 1/3 cup ketchup
  • 1 tbs brown sugar
  • 1 tbs yellow mustard

Pressed for time or missing brown sugar and mustard? Just use plain ketchup or barbecue sauce as the topping and see if anyone even notices a difference.

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Feeling fancy? Kick it up a notch with some of your favorite seasonings – I usually like to sprinkle in some paprika and herbs de Provence. 

Directions

  1. Preheat your oven to 350 degrees (see below for air fryer modification)
  2. Combine all the ingredients: In a medium-sized mixing bowl, combine the ground beef, oatmeal, milk, egg, diced onion, salt, pepper, and optional seasonings. Mix everything together with a spoon until it's combined.
  3. Transfer to pan: Press the mixture down evenly into a large loaf pan.
  4. Make topping: In a small bowl, mix the ketchup, brown sugar, and yellow mustard to create a tantalizing topping. Pour it over the meatloaf.
  5. Cook: Bake the meatloaf at 350 degrees for an 1 hour and 20 minutes or until internal temperature reaches 155℉.
  6. Serve: Remove the meatloaf from the oven, allow it to stand for 5 minutes before serving
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Many meatloaf and meatball recipes call for mixing the meat mixture by hand. However, there's a secret that these recipes don't tell you: warm hands can actually melt the fats in the ground meat. This can result in a dense and dry meatloaf, leaving you with a disappointing brick in a pool of grease. So, to ensure a juicy and tender meatloaf, keep your hands off as much as possible!

Air Fryer Modification (Replaces Steps 4-7):
For those of you looking to save time and have a trusty air fryer by your side, here's how to do it:

  1. Preheat your air fryer to 350 degrees
  2. Make two loaves: Divide the meat mixture into two and shape each portion into small meatloaves, approximately 5 inches long and 2 inches wide. No need for loaf pans in this unconventional cooking method!
  3. Add to airfryer: Carefully place the mini meatloaves in the basket.
  4. Cook the meatloaves in the air fryer for 20 minutes.
  5. Add topping: Flip the mini loaves over and carefully spoon the topping over the meatloaves and continue cooking for an additional 5 minutes.

Serve with a side of roasted broccoli (this recipe from Paleo Grubs is my go-to) for a complete and satisfying weeknight meal. Who knows, maybe even your picky eaters will venture more than a couple of small bites!

It's amazing how a childhood yucky food can transform into a family favorite with the right recipe. Whether you opt for the traditional oven method or the speedy air fryer modification, you'll have a mouthwatering meal ready in no time. So grab your apron, roll up your sleeves, and get ready to enjoy a meatloaf that will have your family asking for seconds, and maybe even thirds! Happy cooking!

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