Air Fryer Meatloaf with Bacon (Juicy & Easy Recipe!)
Who says comfort food has to take hours in the oven? With this Air Fryer Meatloaf, you’ll have a juicy, flavorful dinner on the table in less than an hour—crispy bacon topping included. This recipe combines classic meatloaf flavors with the magic of the air fryer for a weeknight dinner that’s easy, delicious, and cleanup-friendly.
Whether you’re a longtime air fryer fan or just unboxing your first one, this recipe proves that your fryer can handle way more than French fries.
Why You’ll Love This Air Fryer Meatloaf
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⏱️ Faster than the oven: Ready in 30–45 minutes with no preheating your big oven.
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🥓 Bacon-topped perfection: Sweet, smoky glaze caramelizes over crispy bacon strips.
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🥘 One-pan dinner: Mix, shape, glaze, and cook—all in your air fryer-safe dish.
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👨👩👧 Family approved: Comfort food that feels special but is simple enough for busy nights.
Ingredients You’ll Need
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Ground beef – lean or regular both work
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Onion – diced, or onion powder if you’re short on time
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Green pepper – for freshness and crunch
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Egg – binds everything together
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Bread crumbs – traditional or panko
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Seasonings – salt, pepper, paprika if you want extra kick
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Ketchup & sriracha – for tangy heat
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Brown sugar – balances the spice for a sweet glaze
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Bacon – because bacon makes everything better
Step-by-Step Instructions
1. Mix the glaze
Whisk ketchup and sriracha together. Stir 2 tablespoons into your meat mixture later, then mix the brown sugar into the rest for a sweet-spicy glaze.
2. Make the meatloaf
In a large bowl, combine ground beef, onion, pepper, egg, bread crumbs, salt, pepper, and 2 tablespoons of your ketchup mixture. Mix gently until just combined.
3. Shape and prepare
Form into a loaf (or two smaller loaves for faster cooking). Place in an air fryer-safe dish with sides to catch juices. Lay bacon strips on top and brush with the glaze.
4. Air fry to perfection
Tent loosely with foil to prevent the bacon from burning. Cook at 400°F for 30–45 minutes, or until an internal thermometer reads 160°F.
5. Rest and serve
Let the meatloaf rest a few minutes before slicing. Serve with mashed potatoes, veggies, or even a side of air fryer green beans for a full comfort-food spread.
Tips & Variations
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Cheesy twist: Add ½ cup shredded cheddar into the meat mixture.
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Spicy kick: Use hot Italian sausage for half the beef.
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Low-carb option: Swap bread crumbs for almond flour or crushed pork rinds.
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Gluten-free: Use gluten-free bread crumbs and double-check your ketchup.
Storing & Reheating
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Store leftovers in the fridge up to 3 days.
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Reheat slices in the air fryer at 350°F for 3–5 minutes—crispy edges restored!
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Freeze individual slices wrapped in foil, then reheat straight from frozen.
Final Thoughts
This air fryer meatloaf with bacon glaze is proof that comfort food doesn’t need to be complicated. With a crispy top, juicy middle, and bold flavors, it’s a dinner your whole family will request again and again.
✨ Once you try it, you might never go back to oven-baked meatloaf again!
Print your Air fryer Meatloaf recipe here:
Air Fryer Meatloaf
Ingredients:
- ¼ cup ketchup
- 2 Tablespoons sriracha
- 1 lb ground beef
- ½ cup diced onion
- alternatively 1 ½ teaspoons onion powder
- ½ cup diced green pepper
- 1 egg
- ½ cup bread crumbs
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon pepper
- 8-10 pieces of bacon
- 2 Tablespoons of brown sugar
Instructions:
- Before preheating your air fryer, make sure you have a dish with sides that will fit inside (alternatively you can cook on parchment, but it will not hold the grease and the juices will be all over your air fryer). Preheat the air fryer to 400°F.
- Whisk together the ketchup and sriracha. Immediately add 2 Tablespoons of this mixture to the bowl you will combine the meatloaf in. Then mix in the brown sugar to the remaining ketchup mixture and set aside for the glaze.
- To the bowl with the 2 Tablespoons of Ketchup/Sriracha add ground beef, onion (or onion powder), bell pepper, egg, bread crumbs, salt, pepper, and mix well using your hands or wooden spoon..
- Form beef mixture into a loaf and place into your air fryer safe pan. Alternatively, you can make two loaves for faster cooking. Layer bacon slices on top of the loaf.
- Brush glaze onto the bacon.
- Tent your meatloaf with foil or parchment, careful to not allow it to touch the bacon nor the heating element (if you leave this step off, the bacon may burn).
- Bake for 30-45 minutes or until the internal temperature of your loaf reads 160°F (FDA recommendation).
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