If you’re here for the recipe to make the juiciest, most delicious, classic air fryer turkey meatloaf, then I’m sure you don’t need a lot of blog in the way. I’ll keep it short and sweet.
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Cooking turkey meatloaf in an air fryer is a quick and easy way to make a classic comfort food With the air fryer’s rapid airflow and convection heat, you can achieve a tender interior and crispy exterior in a fraction of the time compared to using a conventional oven.
But knowing exactly how long to cook turkey meatloaf in the air fryer can be tricky, Undercook it and the inside will be raw, Cook it too long and you’ll end up with a dried-out hockey puck, Follow this guide to learn the ideal cooking times and temperatures for perfect air fryer turkey meatloaf every time
Benefits of Cooking Turkey Meatloaf in an Air Fryer
Here are some of the biggest benefits of using an air fryer for turkey meatloaf:
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Fast cooking times – The air fryer can reduce total cooking time by up to 50% compared to the oven. You can have meatloaf on the table in 30 minutes or less.
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Even cooking – The circulating hot air ensures the meat cooks evenly throughout. No more raw centers or overly dried edges.
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Crispy exterior – The air fryer’s concentrated heat helps create a deliciously crispy crust on the outside of the meatloaf.
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Moist interior – Quick cooking retains moisture so the inside stays tender and juicy.
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Versatile – Make individual mini meatloaves or stuff peppers for easy low-carb meals.
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Convenient – Simple to assemble and minimal preheating. An air fryer lets you cook meatloaf any night of the week.
Time and Temperature Guidelines
Follow these air fryer cooking guidelines for the best turkey meatloaf results:
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Preheating – Preheating is crucial. Preheat at 400°F for 3-5 minutes before cooking.
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Temperature – Cook at 350-375°F. This allows thorough cooking without drying out the meat.
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Time – Cook for 18-25 minutes for a 6-inch loaf pan or 20-30 minutes for a mini 2-3 inch loaf.
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Internal temp – Check temperature with a meat thermometer, it should reach 165°F.
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Resting – Let rest 5 minutes before slicing for juicier meatloaf.
The exact time needed will vary based on the size and shape of your meatloaf as well as your particular model of air fryer. Checking internal temperature is the best way to guarantee doneness.
Recipe and Ingredients
This classic meatloaf recipe turns out perfect in the air fryer:
Ingredients:
- 1 lb ground turkey (93% lean)
- 1⁄2 cup breadcrumbs
- 1 egg
- 1⁄4 cup ketchup
- 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
- 1⁄4 cup diced onion
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- 1⁄4 tsp each salt, pepper, dried thyme
Instructions:
- In a bowl, combine all ingredients and mix gently until just combined. Do not overmix.
- Form into a loaf shape on a foil sling or in a loaf pan that fits your air fryer.
- Preheat air fryer to 375°F for 3 minutes.
- Cook meatloaf for 20-25 minutes until internal temperature reaches 165°F.
- Remove from air fryer, tent with foil and let rest 5 minutes before slicing.
For a crispy crust, brush with ketchup or BBQ sauce in the last 5 minutes of cooking. Get creative with mix-ins like cheese, peppers, or spinach too.
Tips for Moist, Tender Turkey Meatloaf
Here are some handy tips to ensure your air fried turkey meatloaf turns out moist and delicious:
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Use fattier ground turkey or mix in some dark meat for added moisture and flavor.
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Don’t overmix the ingredients – gentle mixing prevents a dense or rubbery texture.
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Add milk, eggs, onions, or mushrooms for extra moisture.
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Brush with oil or melted butter during cooking to prevent drying out.
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Let meatloaf rest before serving so juices redistribute evenly.
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If reheating leftovers, add a splash of stock or water to restore moisture.
Perfect Pairings and Serving Suggestions
Turkey meatloaf is so versatile and pairs well with all kinds of sides:
- Mashed or roasted potatoes
- Green beans almandine
- Creamed spinach or roasted veggies
- Warm dinner rolls or biscuits
- Fresh green salad
Get creative with leftovers too. Stuff meatloaf mixture into a bell pepper or serve cold slices on toasted bread for easy meatloaf sandwiches.
With the right time and temperature, the air fryer makes quick work of turkey meatloaf for busy weeknight meals. Follow these tips and guidelines for incredibly moist, tender results every time you make this family-friendly favorite.
Turkey Meatloaf You’ll Love!
The meatloaf part of this recipe is super easy, and fairly classic. The key, though, is using ground turkey. Classic meatloaf uses beef, which is fine, but it is fattier so you’ll be wiping beef fat out of your fryer later.
Anyway, so, in a bowl, I combined the spices with the breadcrumbs first. I feel like this helps to make sure the spices get distributed correctly.
Then, add in your ground turkey and an egg. Mush it all together with your hand until it’s pretty evenly mixed with no streaks of bread crumbs. Then, pour in the milk and give it a last hand mix to smooth it out.
From here, form it into a loaf shape of even thickness, with a smooth exterior. Plop it into the basket of your air fryer. We prefer ours shaped like an oversized hamburger, about 3-4 inches thick. This helps it cook evenly and quickly.
Then set your air fryer to 375ºF for 20 to 25 minutes. Use a meat thermometer to make sure the inside registers 165ºF. You can optionally flip it over and brush the whole surface with ketchup. Flip it back so the whole thing gets a thin coat of ketchup. Run the air fryer at 375ºF for an additional five minutes for a sweet crust.
Using an Air Fryer for Meatloaf
First things first, you need an air fryer. Yes, this is actually important to have. Otherwise, it’s just another meatloaf that you made in your oven. Trust me there is a huge difference.
This is why I’ll never make another oven meatloaf:
- No oven! This means no preheating time, no overheated kitchen, and using less energy to cook.
- Shorter cook time! Instead of the 1 1/2 hours that my recipe card said this would take, it took 20 minutes. Keep in mind that I’m also not waiting for an oven to preheat!
- No mushy bottom! Sure, you can bake your loaf of a rack in your oven, but it somehow doesn’t turn out quite this good.
- Perfectly even crust, perfectly moist interior! (Two of these words make my sister cringe… haha!) The crust is even and flavorful with no char. Then, the interior is evenly cooked and moist, not one dry spot.
Here’s the air fryer I have. I love love love it. It has a home in the pantry, but it’s nearly always out and being used. Primarily, we use it for frozen fried foods like pizza bites, spinach bites, fries, chicken nuggets, and fish sticks.
Air Fryer Meatloaf
FAQ
What temperature do you cook turkey meatloaf?
Heat oven to 350 degrees. Line a sheet pan with parchment paper and coat with cooking spray. Prepare the meatloaf: In a large bowl, beat the egg. Add ground turkey, apple, onion, panko, Worcestershire, garlic powder, salt, pepper and Italian seasoning, if using.
How long to cook a 2 lb meatloaf at 350 degrees?
To cook a 2-pound meatloaf at 350°F, bake it for about 60-75 minutes.Apr 9, 2022
How many calories in air fryer turkey meatloaf?
7 WW • Cals:252 • Protein:24.5 • Carbs:14 • Fat:11 #highprotein #skinnytaste #weightwatchers #macros #groundturkey #turkeymeatloaf #healthyrecipes #dinnerideas #airfryer. Nan Trapp If you don’t have an air fryer, bake this on a sheet pan 425F 30 minutes like I do for this sheet pan meatloaf recipe.