The Best Classic Meatloaf in the Ninja Foodi Fryer

Making meatloaf in your Ninja Air Fryer is easy! However, I was initially intimated, wondering how it would shape without the traditional loaf pan. But once you get into this cooking adventure of flavors and textures – there’s no turning back time.

We’ve got you covered! This easy meatloaf recipe can be made right in your Ninja Foodi.

You’re going to love this meat loaf recipe! The meatloaf is juicy and flavorful, and the glaze is sweet and tangy. Serve it with mashed potatoes and green beans for a complete meal everyone will love.

First off, let me say I’m not a food blogger. If you are new here, I’m all about giving an honest opinion to help you all.

I share ways to save money and stick to a strict budget for everything from food to your animals. I got a Ninja Foodi last year for Christmas and shared what I learned here with my readers. The cooking time is about 45 minutes, but that’s pretty much hands-off.

I put a spin on the traditional meatloaf recipe and made this an easy air fryer meatloaf. Using the onion soup mix packet makes this a dump-and-go meal.

It gives it a fantastic flavor, too. One my entire family enjoys, and we all know that can be rare!

Let me tell you why this Ninja Foodi meatloaf recipe is about to become your new best friend.

You know those sweltering summer days when even the thought of turning on the oven feels like you’re summoning a mini sun into your kitchen? With this recipe, you can wave goodbye to that sweaty nightmare because no preheating is required. We always use our Ninja Foodi in summer, especially for brats and hot dogs!

And let’s talk health, shall we? While I firmly believe in the ‘a little bit of what you fancy does you good’ philosophy, I also know that cutting down on fat is never a bad idea.

Enter our trusty Ninja Foodi. Its pressure cooking process is a bit like a magic trick – it makes the fat drain away from the meat. It’s like having your cake and eating it too, but in this case, it’s meatloaf and not cake, but you get the gist!

Now, onto the air fryer basket. This little guy has holes at the bottom, which not only help with the whole fat-draining business but also ensure an even cook for your meatloaf.

But what about the crunch, you ask? Everyone knows the best part of any meatloaf is that crispy exterior. Well, the Ninja Foodi, you ultimately control the crunch factor.

And the best part? You can check on your meatloaf as often as you want without hassle. Just lift the air-crisp lid, take a peek, and a simple button push will do the trick if it needs more time.

I have substituted ground venison in this recipe, which works just as well. I like adding a little milk to my venison to remove some of the gameness.

BASIC INGREDIENTS

• 3 Eggs
• 2 lbs. ground beef ( I get ground beef at BJ’s or Costco for the best price)
• 1/4 c. milk
• 2 cups breadcrumbs ( I used Whole Wheat)
• One packet of onion soup mix ( I used Lipton) ( Or make your own in the recipe below)

Topping Ingredients

• 1/2 cup Ketchup
• 2 Tablespoons Brown Sugar
• 1 teaspoon dry mustard

Recipe for Onion Soup Mix

Ingredients:

• 8 teaspoons dried onion flakes or if you can find, toasted onion flakes even better!
• 1 ¹⁄₂teaspoons dried parsley
• 1 teaspoon onion powder
• 1 teaspoon turmeric
• ¹⁄₂teaspoon celery seed
• ¹⁄₂teaspoon  sea salt
• ¹⁄₂teaspoon  cane sugar
• ¹⁄₄teaspoon ground pepper

DIRECTIONS

You will use the pressure cooking and air frying settings on your Ninja Foodi.

First thing, mix all ingredients besides the sauce ingredients in a large bowl.

Then, form the meat mixture into a nice oval shape.

Add 1 1/2 cups of hot water to the Ninja Foodi pot. Using hot water in your pressure cooking settings will take less time to reach pressure. If you don’t use hot water, it’s okay, no worries, it may just take a few minutes longer to heat up.

You can keep this in mind for next time. Overall the whole thing takes about 45 minutes of cooking time.

You will be using your air fryer basket to cook the meat in. This will allow the grease to drip down.

I sprayed my air fryer pan with nonstick cooking spray. Add your meatloaf to the basket and place it inside your Ninja Foodi.

1. Grab your pressure cooking lid and make sure your knob is on the seal side. You don’t want my major mishap with chicken in the Foodi.
2. Hit the Pressure button time for 25 minutes.
3. Once the time is up, let the Ninja Foodi naturally release pressure for 10-15 minutes. Then, release steam.
4. Remove your air fryer basket and dump out liquid and grease from the pot.
5. Place your air fryer basket back inside the Ninja Foodi.
6. Add your topping to the loaf. Some people use barbeque sauce as well.
7. Close the Air crisp lid and set it to Air Crisp.
8. Set the time for 10 minutes at 390°.
9. I sprinkled green onions on top after and sliced it up after letting it rest for a couple of minutes.

The internal temperature of the meatloaf should be 160 degrees Fahrenheit if you are looking for an exact temperature.

I was so happy with how delicious this turned out. It may just be my love for the Ninja Foodi, but everything turns out so tender.

At this point, don’t try to lift your meatloaf out. It was a little moist at this point, but the air frying part takes care of that in a good way.

The Onion mix makes a moist and flavorful meatloaf. It slipped right out of the basket.

Tired of looking at the Ninja Foodi on your counter? Check out these cute Food Cover ups!

It was a breath of fresh air to see my kids love it. They usually like meatloaf, but they love the onion soup mix. I used it in our Venison burgers too. It can be a home cook’s best friend.

Check out these easy Ninja Foodi Recipes

• Easy Restaurant Quality Ninja Foodi Yeast Rolls
• Upside Down Taco Nachos in the Ninja Foodi
• Easy Chocolate Chip Skillet Cookie in Ninja Foodi
• Easy Way to Make Hot Dogs in Ninja Foodi
• 33 Easy Pantry Staple Meals You Can Make For Cheap

So there you have it, my dear friends! You’ve just followed me on a culinary journey, a quest to create the most divine, mouth-watering meatloaf in your Ninja Foodi. And guess what? It wasn’t that hard. If I, who once managed to burn boxed mac and cheese, can do it, you definitely can too!

I hope your kitchen is now filled with the rich, comforting aroma of perfectly cooked meatloaf, making your stomach rumble in anticipation. And when you finally sit down with your family and see their faces light up at that first bite, isn’t that just the best feeling in the world?

Remember, cooking isn’t about perfection. It’s about love, laughter, and a little bit of mess. So go forth, my fellow Ninja Foodi warriors, armed with your spatula and this recipe, and conquer the dinner table like your culinary champions!

Until next time, keep your aprons ready and your taste buds curious. Who knows what delicious adventure we’ll embark on next? I can’t wait to share more of my kitchen escapades. Happy cooking!

Check out how to make venison burgers in the Ninja Foodi!