Juicy, classic, and gone in minutes
Serves: 4–6
Prep: 15 minutes
Cook: ~30 minutes
Ingredients
Meatloaf
- 500 g (1 lb) ground beef (80/20 is best for juiciness)
(or half beef + half pork/turkey) - 1 small onion, finely diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 large egg
- ½ cup breadcrumbs or panko
(or crushed crackers) - ¼ cup milk
- 2 tbsp ketchup
- 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tsp salt
- ½ tsp black pepper
- 1 tsp paprika
- ½ tsp dried thyme or Italian seasoning
- Optional: 1 tbsp chopped parsley
Glaze (optional but recommended)
- 3 tbsp ketchup
- 1 tbsp brown sugar
- 1 tsp mustard
Onion Gravy
- 2 tbsp butter or oil
- 1 large onion, thinly sliced
- 1 tbsp flour
- 1½ cups beef broth
- Salt & pepper to taste
- Optional: splash of Worcestershire or soy sauce
Instructions
1. Make the meatloaf
- In a large bowl, mix milk and breadcrumbs. Let soak 1 minute.
- Add egg, ketchup, Worcestershire, onion, garlic, salt, pepper, paprika, and herbs.
- Gently fold in ground meat until just combined (don’t overmix).
2. Shape
- Form into a compact loaf that fits your air fryer basket.
- Place on parchment paper or in a small air-fryer-safe pan.
3. Glaze
- Mix glaze ingredients and spread half over the loaf.
4. Air fry
- Preheat air fryer to 180°C / 360°F.
- Cook 18 minutes.
- Pull out, spread remaining glaze.
- Return and cook 10–12 more minutes, until internal temp hits 70°C / 160°F.
Let rest 5 minutes before slicing (super important).
Onion Gravy (make while meatloaf cooks)
- Melt butter in a pan over medium heat.
- Add sliced onions and cook 8–10 minutes until golden and soft.
- Sprinkle flour over onions, stir 30 seconds.
- Slowly pour in beef broth, stirring constantly.
- Simmer 3–5 minutes until thick.
- Season with salt, pepper, and optional Worcestershire.
Serving Ideas
- Mashed potatoes or air-fried potatoes
- Green beans or roasted carrots
- Extra gravy on EVERYTHING (no judgment)
