Even if we never had meatloaf growing up, Air Fryer Turkey Meatloaf is what we'd want to have when we're homesick. Maybe it’s the ketchup. Maybe it’s the brown sugar. Maybe it’s the tantalizing scent of a cozy meal made extra easy in our air fryer. The cute little format is due to the shape of most air fryers, but the individual servings are actually ideal. If you're cooking for 1, eat one and save the next for meatloaf sandwiches the next night, or have a cozy date night and split the meal between two. Classically served with mashed potatoes, we also like bringing a little crispiness to the plate with oven-baked fries or air fried crispy potatoes.
The right ratio between meat (in this case, turkey) to breadcrumbs to liquid results in a meatloaf that's a bit of a goldilocks—not too dry and not overly moist. Too many breadcrumbs and the mixture will be too dry—just 1/3 cup is enough for a pound of meat. Not enough breadcrumbs and it will be too wet to hold together when sliced. This meatloaf includes a small sautéed onion, which adds flavor but not the liquid that raw onion would. Finally, a coating of sugar-spiked ketchup adds a blanket of moisture, so that every bite has a cap of tangy sauce.
Prefer beef to turkey? Then we've got the recipe for you. No air fryer? Try our classic meatloaf, instead.
extra-virgin olive oil
small yellow onion, finely chopped
cloves garlic, minced
finely chopped rosemary
ground turkey (preferably dark meat)
fine bread crumbs
chopped fresh parsley leaves
large egg, beaten to blend
Worcestershire sauce
Dijon mustard
kosher salt
freshly ground black pepper
Olive oil cooking spray
ketchup
light brown sugar
Laura Rege is a Food Stylist and Recipe Developer who regularly contributes recipes and styles videos and photos for Delish. If she isn't in the Delish kitchens, you'll most likely find her out on the town looking for the next food trends in the US and on her travels abroad.
