You can’t beat the ease and convenience of air fryer turkey meatloaf—it’s perfectly moist and cooks in half the time, making it a game changer for weeknight dinners!
Air Fryer Turkey Meatloaf
I’m obsessed with my air fryer and use it to make everything like Air Fryer Chicken Breast, Air Fryer Baked Potatoes, and even Air Fryer Hard Boiled Eggs! I shared a recipe for Individual Fiesta Turkey Meatloaves in my first air fryer cookbook, but I have never posted an air fryer meatloaf recipe on my blog. Since I make turkey meatloaf for dinner at least once a month because Tommy loves it, I made it in the air fryer this time. Air fryer meatloaf not only cooks more quickly than baking it in the oven but also results in a deliciously golden brown exterior while maintaining a juicy interior. And adding shredded zucchini to turkey meatloaf will give you the tenderest meat!
Why This Air Fryer Meatloaf Recipe Works
- High Protein: One mini meatloaf has grams of 24.5 grams protein.
- Extra Veggies: Minced onion and shredded zucchini add fiber and moisture.
- Fast: Air frying individual turkey meatloaves is much faster than baking one large loaf. They cook in just 20 minutes!
- Perfect for Meal Prep: This easy turkey meatloaf recipe is excellent for meal prep since it freezes and reheats well.
What You’ll Need
I bet you have most of the ingredients you need for this air fryer meatloaf in your pantry already! Scroll down to the recipe card below for exact measurements.
- Ground Turkey: 93% ground turkey is my favorite for meatloaf since it’s lean yet helps keep the meatloaf moist while still being lean. Ground beef or pork will also work.
- Ketchup: Adds sweetness. BBQ sauce can also be used.
- Quick Rolled Oats act as a binder while providing protein and fiber. I buy organic, check lables for Gluten-free.
- Onion: Minced onion adds moisture and flavor.
- Zucchini: Grated zucchini adds extra moisture. Squeeze out the liquid using paper towels or dish towels.
- Egg: Helps bind the meatloaf ingredients.
- Kosher Salt and Black Pepper season the turkey.
- Parsley: Mince fresh parsley for garnish if desired.
How to Make Air Fryer Turkey Meatloaf
Here’s a quick overview of the steps involved in making this air fryer meatloaf. See the recipe card below for more detailed instructions.
- Make Meatloaf Mixture: Combine all the meatloaf ingredients in a medium bowl and mix well with a fork.
- Divide the mixture into 4 equal portions and shape into mini loaves.
- Air Fryer: Air fry the meatloaf at 350°F for 15 minutes. Flip the loaves over, brush on the remaining ketchup, and cook 5 more minutes.
No Air Fryer? No Problem!
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.
What’s the Best Air Fryer?
I LOVE my new All Cool Air Fryer! It’s the best air fryer I’ve ever used because it’s powerful, spacious, and and pretty for my white kitchen.
Variations
- Protein: Swap turkey for lean ground beef.
- Onion: Use a red onion.
- Oats: If you don’t have quick oats, you can use old-fashioned oats.
- Seasoning: Add onion and garlic powder.
- Ketchup: Substitute BBQ Sauce. To lower the sugar, swap traditional ketchup with sugar free such as Primal Kitchen.
Serving Suggestions
Below are some side dishes to serve with this air fryer meatloaf.
- Mashed Potatoes or Mashed Sweet Potatoes
- Macaroni and Cheese
- Rice Pilaf
- Green Beans
- Roasted Broccoli
- Roasted Carrots
Storage and Meal Prep for Air Fryer Meatloaf
Meatloaf makes great leftovers and is easy to reheat, so it’s ideal for meal prep.
- Meal Prep: Store the meatloaf in airtight containers for 4 days.
- How long do you reheat meatloaf in the air fryer? Air fry meatloaf for 4 to 5 minutes at 350°F until warm. You can also microwave it for about 1 minute.
- Double the meatloaf recipe if you want extra for leftovers or freezing.
- Freeze the meatloaf in freezer-safe containers for 3 months. Thaw it in the fridge overnight and reheat using the instructions above.
More Meatloaf Recipes You’ll Love
- Best Turkey Meatloaf Recipe
- Turkey Meatloaf with Zucchini
- Meatloaf and Brown Gravy
- Petite Turkey Meatloaves
- Sheet Pan Turkey Meatloaf with Broccoli
Air Fryer Turkey Meatloaf
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 pound 93% ground turkey
- 1/4 cup ketchup, plus 2 tablespoons for topping*
- 1/3 cup quick rolled oats
- 1/3 cup minced onion
- 1/3 cup grated zucchini, squeezed well
- 1 large egg, beaten
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/8 teaspoon black pepper
- optional, minced parsley for garnish
Instructions
- In a medium bowl combine ground turkey, oats, zucchini, onion, 1/4 cup ketchup, egg, salt and black pepper, mix well with a fork.
- Divide mixture into 4 equal portions and shape into 4 mini loaves.
- Transfer to the air fryer basket and air fry 350F 15 minutes, flip and brush on the remaining ketchup and cook and additional 5 minutes, until the center is cooked through. garnish with parsley, if desired.
Last Step:
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Notes
Nutrition
Meatloaf FAQ
Air fry turkey meatloaf at 350°F. Check it with a meat thermometer to ensure it’s completely cooked. When done, it should read 165°F.
If your meatloaf is rubbery or tough, there may be a few reasons:
1. Overmixing: Mix the ingredients until just combined. If you mix the turkey too much, it’ll get tough.
2. Overcooking: Nobody likes dry meatloaf, so don’t air fry it longer than needed. If your air fryer runs hot, check it a couple of minutes early.
3. Let it rest: Before cutting into the meatloaf, let it rest for 5 minutes to prevent the juices from seeping out.
This was absolutely delicious, I doubled the recipe, I used 93% ground chicken and 99%ground Turkey breast, I puréed the onion, added onion and garlic powder also, I checked them at 25 minutes and they were already at 170°, they are so moist inside and the flavor is amazing, thank you Gina for creating these amazing recipes that are lighter, delicious and healthy!
Delicious and easy recipe. Does not taste as good reheated, so I mixed the 4 loaves and froze them to cook later.
Can you leave out the zucchini? My SO won’t eat it.
If you grate the zucchini on the smallest hole of the grater you can barely see it and just tell your hubby it’s parsley, you really can’t taste it but it adds tremendous moisture, it’s really delicious!
Can I freeze the mixture before cooking so I can make fresh, as needed? I’m concerned that cooking, then freezing, then reheating may cause it to not taste as good as a freshly baked loaf.
Yes you can freeze them raw and then cook as needed, that’s what I do as I am one person, they freeze very well.
I love the Air Fryer Turkey Meatloaf. Did change the ketchup to sugar-free bq sauce.
I usually use 1 and freeze the 3 others. Thanks love this.
Everyone loved it and ate every bit.
Just love this meatloaf. Make it often. Freeze great
Great substitute for burgers
This was very good. I substituted egg whites for eggs but had maybe too many. I would suggest 2. I used less ketchup and it turned out very good. The time was perfect. 15 minutes and turn over and 5 more.
These were so easy and very tasty My family loved them. The only substitution I used was 93 percent lean ground beef. I added less onion and a little more zucchini . Def a keeper!!
I made this from a combo of the other meatloafs on this site and used gf bread crumbs instead of oatmeal (I wanna try that next). I also added Linzano to the ketchup (leftover from the Arroz con Camarones recipe!) and it added a delicious touch. It was great in the air fryer and I froze the other three as meal prep. Thank you for all the inspiration!!
Great recipe. Very easy to follow and the meat loaf comes out perfect.
Great!!
Spot on perfect and I even used 99% lean ground turkey. It was moist, delicious and served with mashed potatoes and roasted veggies. MMMMMMmmmm. Thank you!
I’ve made this recipe multiple times and it is delicious. I’ve used bread crumbs, instant oats and old fashioned oats and they all were delicious. Thanks for the easy recipe!
This recipe is great! My husband requests it frequently.
We love this recipe! Easy, quick, delicious…no dry meatloaf here!
Overall I liked these but heavy on onion for me. I’d probably cut the onion in half if I make it again.
I have a picky spouse so I wasn’t sure if he would like this. He loved it, super easy to throw together and the flavors are spot on, great healthy and quick week night meal
Recipe is so good. Super easy and fast to make.
So easy and delicious! My husband loved it too.
This is so easy to make and is delicious!
Quick, easy and tasty – even my husband who doesn’t like zucchini like it!
I have to say that I am a fan of neither ground turkey nor zucchini, but this is a darn good recipe! It is quick and easy enough for a weeknight, as well as healthyish. I add a dash of Frank’s Hot Sauce to the end “glaze” for some flavor.
Really enjoyed using this recipe as a basis for doing a mashup of another similar recipe. Did not have oats or zucchini. Used finely chopped onion, 1 celery stalk and medium sized carrot along with small jalepeno,(seeds removed). Used panko bread crumbs in place of oats. Sauce was ketchup, salsa and brown sugar. Will definitely make again.
Great option for ground turkey! And love the modification suggestions for different dietary needs! Gluten free and dairy free also. Thank you!
Not my favorite.
Love this recipe!
I also added a little bit of soy sauce, a clove of garlic, oregano, crushed red pepper flakes and a little bit of smoked paprika. Next time I might try adding a bit of fresh ginger and leave out the oregano.
Fantastic recipe🙂i’ve done this with turkey, chicken or beef. I love the four mini loaves
This was tasty and really satisfied my craving for meat loaf. I used regular oats and had no issues. I probably overcooked it even though I temped it several times. I served this with mashed garlic potatoes and butter peas. So yummy!
Can I make this ahead of time and freeze before air frying?
Simple and easy recipe.
This was very good. I don’t love ground turkey which is why it’s 4 not 5 stars. Very tasty and easy to make. I subbed the ketchup for our favorite bbq sauce.
It was alright for turkey meatloaf. Cooked it in the oven
This recipe is so delicious. We absolutely loved it. My husband said to put a pin in this recipe so we can make it again. It’s the best meatloaf we have had in a while.
Thanks Alyssa!
Can this be made without egg?
It should work
Followed the recipe and this was delicious! Thanks!
This was delicious but sure did not look like yours?? Not really browned at all ? Plus the ketchup seemed to absorb into the meatloaf too.
Made this tonight, love the flavor and how juicy the meatloaf turned out with the zucchini and oats! And the macros are great!
Absolute winner. We paired it with your buttermilk mashed potatoes and a side of broccoli.
Yum!
This was a hit with my wife and I. I made the suggested substitute and used homemade bbq sauce both in and brushed on the loafs. If you have someone that hates onion like my wife set their portion aside and substitute an equal amount of shredded zucchini for the onion. I also added some minced garlic and 1 t poultry seasoning instead of the pepper. I sautéed some sweet onion and when the onion was starting to brown, and stick added some shiitake mushrooms cooked for a couple more min then 1 clove of garlic and cooked for another min. When the loafs are done put that on top of the mini loafs with 1/2 slice American cheese per loaf and back in the air fryer for 1 min.
yum!
These were delicious! The zucchini kept them moist but you couldn’t even taste it! A win for my family!
I was a little worried as the mixture was quite moist( and I did squeeze the moisture out of zucchini) but they came out perfect. I made the recipe as written but used the bbq sauce on top. Was a winner even though we usually dislike ground turkey!
Easy to make and tastes great. New go to recipe for quick weekday meal.
Love this, added a few chilli flakes and mixed sweet chilli sauce and tomato sauce for the topping.
Everything you want in a recipe. Great for weekdays — easy, quick, delicious, juicy and a hit with the family. Will make this again and again. Thanks, Gina!
Great crust; i used bbq sauce on top instead of ketchup just for a preference!
My husband an I both enjoyed this recipe. My zucchini was bad so I couldn’t use . The rest of the recipe was followed exactly. Moist and tasty…served with fresh string beans and a salad.
Quick. Easy. And tasty! This was an old-fashioned favorite of my mom’s and I’d loved doing it a way in the air fryer!
There is missing information in the cooking portion of this recipe. Do you preheat? It says 350 F 15 minutes. On each side? Do you flip them? When?
Do you start them with some of the ketsup on top? Please correct
I never preheat. Transfer to the air fryer basket and air fry 350F 15 minutes, flip and brush on the remaining ketchup and cook and additional 5 minutes, until the center is cooked through. garnish with parsley, if desired.
Easy to follow recipe, healthy and great to freeze.
Great!
Did you freeze after you cooked them ?
I was wondering the same thing. I want to freeze this to share with a new mom. Freeze after cooking and then just reheat in the oven?
After cooking you can freeze it in freezer-safe containers for 3 months. Thaw it in the fridge overnight and reheat- air fry for 4 to 5 minutes at 350°F until warm, or microwave it for about 1 minute or until warm.