This Air Fryer Mini Meatloaves recipe takes this delicious dish to a whole new level of convenience. Packed with juicy ground meat, savory seasonings, and traditional ketchup topping you love in traditional meatloaf, these individual mini versions offer a delicious portion sized option.
Why You'll Love This Recipe
Mini meatloaves are a fun and flavorful twist on classic meatloaf. Perfect for portion control, meal prep freezing, or a quick weeknight dinner, these individual-sized meatloaves cook up quickly and conveniently in your air fryer.
- Quick & Easy: This recipe comes together in under 30 minutes, making it a perfect choice for busy weeknights.
- Juicy & Flavorful: The air fryer ensures these mini meatloaves cook up crispy on the outside and remain juicy and flavorful on the inside.
- Perfectly Portioned: Mini meatloaves are ideal for individual servings, allowing them to cook faster.
- Freezer Friendly: Perfect for meal prep and freezing. Just freeze frozen or cooked and defrost for a quick weeknight dinner down the road.
Ingredients You'll Need
- Lean ground beef
- Minced green bell pepper
- Minced onion
- Seasoned bread crumbs
- Milk
- Parmesan cheese - grated
- Parsley fresh, minced
- Italian herbs, dried
- Garlic, fresh minced
- Egg
- Salt
- Pepper
For the Classic Tomato Ketchup Glaze
- Ketchup
- Brown sugar
- Worcestershire sauce
- Dijon mustard
Full ingredient amounts and preparation instructions are in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.
How To Air Fry Mini Meatloaves
Air fryer mini meatloaves recipe are incredibly easy to make, requiring minimal prep work and pantry-staple ingredients. Plus, the air fryer ensures they cook evenly and develop a delicious browned exterior without the need for excess oil.
Combine All Ingredients
- In a large bowl, combine ground beef, minced bell pepper and onion, seasoned breadcrumbs, milk, Parmesan, minced parsley, Italian herbs, minced garlic, egg, salt, and pepper. Mix well to combine.
Shape Into Mini Meatloaves
- Form the mixture into 2 to 4 individual meatloaves, depending on the portion size you prefer.
- Place the mini meatloaves in a single layer in the air fryer basket, leaving space between them for air circulation.
PRO TIP: Do not use non-stick cooking spray, as it can damage our air fryer heating elements.
Air Fry Until Browned On Top
- Set the air fryer temperature for 350F (no need to preheat) and air fry for 15 - 20 minutes, or until cooked through and golden brown on top.
- While the meatloaves cook, prepare the glaze by whisking together ketchup, brown sugar, and Dijon mustard in a small bowl.
Caramelize The Ketchup Glaze
- During the last 2-3 minutes of cooking, brush the glaze over the meatloaves and return to the air fryer to caramelize the glaze.
- Use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature of the meatloaves. They are safe to consume when they reach 160°F (71°C). Serve immediately.
Tips for Success
- Don't Overmix: Overmixing can lead to tough meatloaves. Mix the ingredients just until combined.
- Form Even Meatballs: Use a small ice cream scoop or your hands to form meatballs of uniform size for even cooking.
- Don't Crowd the Basket: Leave space between the meatloaves in the air fryer basket to ensure proper air circulation and even browning.
- Internal Temperature:
Substitutions and Variations
Here are a few easy substitutions and variations to give these mini air fryer meatloaves your personal touch:
- Ground Meat: Feel free to substitute ground turkey, chicken, or a combination for the ground beef.
- Breadcrumbs: Use Panko breadcrumbs for a lighter and crispier texture.
- Veggies: Add finely chopped onions, peppers, or mushrooms to the meatloaf mixture for extra flavor and texture.
- Cheese: Incorporate shredded cheddar cheese or mozzarella into the meatloaf mixture for a cheesy surprise.
- Glaze: Skip the glaze for a simpler option, or experiment with different glazes like BBQ sauce or teriyaki sauce.
Serving Suggestions
Serve your air fryer mini meatloaves with mashed potatoes, roasted vegetables, mac and cheese, or your favorite dipping sauce like ketchup, BBQ sauce, or mustard.
Related Recipes
- Air Fryer Spaghetti Squash
- Air Fryer Lemon Rosemary Chicken Thighs
- Air Fryer Frozen Asparagus
- Air Fryer Roasted Carrots
- Air Fryer Cornbread
Storage Options
- Leftover air fryer mini meatloaves can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat them gently in the air fryer or microwave until warmed through.
- For longer storage, you can freeze the cooked meatloaves for up to 3 months. Thaw them overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
Frequently Asked Questions
Absolutely! Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and bake the meatballs on a baking sheet for 20-25 minutes, or until cooked through.
Use a meat thermometer inserted into the center of the thickest meatloaf. They are safe to consume when they reach an internal temperature of 160°F (71°C).
Yes you can! This recipe is perfect for meal prepping individual meals. Wrap the uncooked mini meatloaves in plastic wrap or aluminum foil and store in a sealed plastic bag. Remove from the freezer the night before and defrost before air frying.
More Delish Ideas
- Air Fryer Peanut Butter Cookies
- Air Fryer Roasted Sweet Potato Cubes
- Air Fryer Salmon Bites
- Air Fryer Teriyaki Salmon
Air Fryer Mini Meatloaf
Ingredients
- 1 lb ground beef lean
- ½ cup bell pepper finely minced
- ¼ cup onion minced finely
- ⅓ cup Panko bread crumbs seasoned
- 2 tablespoon milk
- 2 tablespoon Parmesan cheese grated
- 1 teaspoon parsley fresh, minced
- 1 teaspoon Italian herbs dried
- 1 clove garlic minced
- 1 egg
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
For the Classic Tomato Glaze
- ½ cup ketsup
- 2 tablespoon brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- ½ teaspoon Dijon mustard
Instructions
- In a large bowl, combine ground beef, minced bell pepper and onion, seasoned breadcrumbs, milk, Parmesan, minced parsley, Italian herbs, minced garlic, egg, salt, and pepper. Mix well to combine.1 lb ground beef, ½ cup bell pepper, ¼ cup onion, ⅓ cup Panko bread crumbs, 2 tablespoon milk, 2 tablespoon Parmesan cheese, 1 teaspoon parsley, 1 teaspoon Italian herbs, 1 clove garlic, 1 egg, 1 teaspoon salt, ½ teaspoon black pepper
- Form the mixture into 2 to 4 individual meatloaves, depending on the portion size you prefer.
- Place the mini meatloaves in a single layer in the air fryer basket, leaving space between them for air circulation.PRO TIP: Do not use non-stick cooking spray, as it can damage our air fryer heating elements.
- Set the air fryer temperature for 350F (no need to preheat) and air fry for 15 - 20 minutes, or until cooked through and golden brown on top.
Prepare The Glaze
- While the meatloaves cook, prepare the glaze by whisking together ketchup, brown sugar, Worestershire sauce, and Dijon mustard in a small bowl.½ cup ketsup, 2 tablespoon brown sugar, 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce, ½ teaspoon Dijon mustard
- During the last 2-3 minutes of cooking, brush the glaze over the meatloaves and return to the air fryer to caramelize the glaze.
- Use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature of the meatloaves. They are safe to consume when they reach 160°F (71°C). Serve immediately.
Notes
- Don't Overmix: Overmixing can lead to tough meatloaves. Mix the ingredients just until combined.
- Form Even Meatballs: Use a small ice cream scoop or your hands to form meatballs of uniform size for even cooking.
- Don't Crowd the Basket: Leave space between the meatloaves in the air fryer basket to ensure proper air circulation and even browning.
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