What’s really awesome is there is always a good meatloaf recipe. It reminds me of happy times with the entire family sharing a meal where there is no reason to hurry and the place is full of delectable aromas. Of course, my Air Fryer Meatloaf is also like that. It’s bursting of flavors with the addition of a secret ingredient: Thousand Island dressing! What? A meatloaf that is delicious, juicy and does not take an hour thanks to the air fryer.
Why You would Wish to Try this Recipe:
It’s Quick and Simple: Finished in less than 60 minutes.
Bursting with flavor: Thousand Island dressing gives it a unique perspective.
Flexible: Suitable for an air fryer or oven.
Child-Friendly: Great for fussy eaters or when you expect company.
Ingredients You will Require:
- 2 ½ lb minced meat, beef (90% lean)
- 6 oz stuffing mix, Stove Top (any flavor)
- Two large eggs
- 1 tablespoon minced garlic or Garlic powder half a tablespoon
- 2 tsp Worcestershire sauce
- ¼ cup of water, beef broth or ¼ cup of water
- Salt 1 ½ tsp
- 1 tsp Pepper black
- Onion powder half a tablespoon
- Red pepper flakes ¼ tsp
- Thousand Island dressing ⅓ cup
- Ketchup half a cup (for glazing)
How to Prepare Meatloaf in an Air Fryer:
- Turn the air fryer on and set the temperature for 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Take a baking parchment of eighteen cm by twenty-three cm-sized rectangular baking tin and properly grease it.
- In a large mixing bowl, add ground beef, eggs, crushed garlic, worcestershire (French condiment), water, salt and pepper, onion powder, red chili flakes, and thousand island dressing.
- Pour the ground meat mixture into the bread baking dish and spread it out gently.
- Using the parchment, remove the meatloaf from the pan and place it into the air fryer basket. Cutting away plenty of excess parchment paper.
- Air fry the meatloaf for approximately 1 hour at 180°C. There should be a meat thermometer ready to ensure the internal cook temperature isn’t less than 70 degrees Celsius.
- In the remaining 5 minutes of cooking, smear some ketchup on top of the meatloaf.
- Slicing is not recommended for at least 10 minutes after cooking the meatloaf. Pair with mashed potatoes or any other favorite sides.
Benefits of Air Fryer Meatloaf:
From then onwards, preparing meatloaf in air fryer is the best option I have chosen. The topping gets that delicious crispy crust but the inside is nice and moist. What’s more, making it does not scorch the entire house thus suitable for summer dinners whose meals do not require heavy cooking. I even did this on a summer road trip in a hotel room! I swear to you: an air-fryer meatloaf will spoil you for good.
Tips and variations for the recipe:
Get creative with the protein: In this recipe, I usually use minced beef, however ground used turkey, chicken or pork may also be applied in this case.
Explore Stuffing: Any ready made stuffing mix flavors can be used, or moisture filling can be gluten free.
Added flavor: You may include ¼ cup grated Parmigiano cheese to make it richer in texture.
Vegetables: You can also add chopped vegetables such as diced onion, bell pepper or even diced carrots in order to incorporate some healthy vegetables.
Keeping it: Meatloaf may be kept in the freezer. Simply, after baking wait for it to cool, cover it in plastic and then in foil, it can last in the freezer for up to two months.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q: What else can I use instead of stuffing?
A: Definitely! You may utilize crushed crackers, bread crumbs or even oats. Just replace the stuffing with 1 tube of crackers.
Q: Is it alright to place this meatloaf in the freezer?
A: Yes! Cool the meatloaf, wrap it tightly, and freeze for up to 2 months. To reheat, thaw in the fridge overnight and warm in the oven or microwave.
Q: How do I store leftovers?
A: Meatloaf that is not eaten can be kept in the refrigerator for not more than four days. It should be well covered or kept inside a sealed container.
What To Complement Meatloaf With:
This meatloaf can be enjoyed with traditional sides such as:
– Creamy Mashed Potatoes
– Steamed Green Beans
– Oven-Roasted Brussels Sprouts
– Oven-Baked Potatoes
– Glazed Roasted Carrots
Other Awesome Air Fryer Recipes You Should Try:
- Air Fryer Baked Potatoes
- Air Fryer Steak Bites
- Air Fryer Salmon
- Air Fryer Donuts