Air Fryer Turkey Meatloaf
This air fryer turkey meatloaf recipe turns a classic comfort food into a weeknight-friendly dinner in under 40 minutes. The air fryer creates a caramelized, tangy glaze on top while keeping the inside moist and juicy. No oven preheating, no hour-long bake, just a lean, flavorful loaf with a golden crust that the whole family will love.
Equipment
- Air fryer Large enough to fit a loaf pan
- Mini silicone loaf pan Sized for air fryer baskets (alternative: foil sling)
- Large mixing bowl
- Instant-read meat thermometer
- Silicone basting brush
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Digital kitchen scale Optional, for accurate turkey weighing
Ingredients
- 1.5 pounds ground turkey 680g, 93% lean
- 0.5 cup panko breadcrumbs
- 0.25 cup milk
- 1 large egg
- 0.5 cup yellow onion finely diced
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
- 2 tablespoons ketchup
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 0.5 teaspoon black pepper
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley chopped
For the Glaze
- 0.5 cup ketchup
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
Instructions
- Preheat air fryer to 350°F (175°C) for 3-5 minutes. Grease the mini loaf pan or line basket with a foil sling.
- Whisk together egg and milk until combined. Add Worcestershire sauce, ketchup, mustard, and Italian seasoning; stir until blended.
- Add turkey, breadcrumbs, onion, garlic, salt, pepper, and parsley to the wet mixture. Mix gently with hands or spoon just until combined; avoid overmixing.
- Transfer mixture into greased loaf pan or shape into an 8x4 inch loaf on a foil sling. Press top gently for even thickness.
- Place in air fryer and cook at 350°F (175°C) for 20 minutes.
- Whisk glaze ingredients together. Brush generously over meatloaf, then air fry for 5-8 more minutes until internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C).
- Rest meatloaf for 5-10 minutes before slicing to allow juices to redistribute.
Notes
- Use 93% lean ground turkey; 99% lean will dry out in the air fryer.
- Do not skip the resting step—cutting too soon releases juices and makes slices crumbly.
- Always use a meat thermometer for doneness; cooking times vary by air fryer model.
- For extra moisture, grate the onion instead of dicing it.
- Line your basket with a foil sling (with extra foil handles) if not using a loaf pan.
- Let ground turkey sit at room temperature for 10 minutes before mixing for better seasoning distribution.
- Swap panko for gluten-free breadcrumbs to make this recipe gluten-free.
- To make ahead, mix and shape the loaf up to 1 day in advance; store covered in the fridge.
Nutrition
Serving: 1servingCalories: 265kcalCarbohydrates: 15gProtein: 27gFat: 10gSaturated Fat: 3gPolyunsaturated Fat: 2gMonounsaturated Fat: 4gCholesterol: 85mgSodium: 680mgPotassium: 420mgFiber: 1gSugar: 9gVitamin A: 6IUVitamin C: 8mgCalcium: 4mgIron: 10mg
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