Tender Air Fryer Eggless Meatloaf (Paleo, AIP, Whole30)

This air fryer eggless meatloaf is very moist and flavorful with a good veggie boost.  You would think making a meatloaf without breadcrumbs, eggs, or milk would be a little tricky but this holds together pretty well. Chopping the veggies in the food processor helps to form a cohesive mixture and adds moisture.

Prep for this meal is fairly simple and fast and this will freeze really well so it’s a great option for freezer cooking.

Making meatloaf in an air fryer is awesome- it yields a nice juicy interior and gorgeous crispy exterior. Plus, it’s fast! No worries if you don’t have an air fryer though. I’ve included oven instructions on the recipe card as well. 

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Ingredients for Air Fryer Eggless Meatloaf

• Yellow Onion– Yellow or white onion works for this recipe. 
• Mushrooms– I used white mushrooms but baby Bellas or creminis would be good too. 
• Cauliflower– Use fresh, not frozen if possible
• Carrots
• Olive Oil – You could also use avocado oil or coconut oil. 
• Ground Beef – Try not to go too lean on the beef- 80/20 is a good ratio. Grass-Fed/Pasture-raised is awesome if available. Consider checking out ButcherBox or White Oak Pastures for awesome humanely raised, high-quality meats. 
• Fresh Parsley– Be sure to dice it finely before adding it to the meat mixture. If you don’t have fresh parsley, you can use 1 tbsp dried parsley in place of the ¼ cup fresh parsley.
• Apple Cider Vinegar– AVC adds just the right amount of tang to this recipe. 
• Garlic Powder
• Sea Salt
• Italian Seasoning

How to Make Air Fryer Eggless Meatloaf

1. Add the onions, mushrooms, cauliflower, and carrots to a food processor. Mix them into tiny pieces (almost smooth) or desired consistency. If you don’t have a food processor, just mince everything very small.
2. Heat oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Add all the veggies and saute for 5 minutes. Let cool.
3. Set the air fryer to 375 degrees and allow it to preheat and set the timer to 20 minutes). For the Ninja Foodi, select “air crisp” mode, then set the temp and time.
4. Use a rectangular piece of foil (or circular depending on your air fryer) to create a “holder” for the meatloaf while it’s in the air fryer. Do this by folding it inward and bending it up on all sides so the juices don’t leak out. *This part is optional but makes life easier.
5. In a medium bowl, add the ground beef, parsley, apple cider vinegar, garlic powder, sea salt, and Italian seasoning. Then add the cooled veggies to it.
6. Mix it all together. Do this with your hands if possible (wear gloves if you have them) to make sure it all gets thoroughly mixed through. Don’t mix it too much though, just enough to incorporate everything evenly.
7. Form a loaf with the meat mixture (shape it to an appropriate size and shape for your air fryer) and transfer it to the foil. Then place the meatloaf and foil in the air fryer basket.
8. Cook for about 20 minutes at 375 degrees Fahrenheit or until the center reaches 160 degrees. Baste or brush the top with drippings about halfway through. Cover with foil if it starts to get too brown. *Keep in mind your cook time might be slightly more or less than 20 minutes depending on your air fryer and the shape/thickness of your meatloaf. Check it with a thermometer every so often to keep an eye on it.
9. Once done, allow it to cool for about 10 minutes before slicing. See notes for topping ideas. Serve with mashed white sweet potatoes or cauliflower mash.

How Long to Cook Air Fryer Meatloaf

Cooking time will probably vary a little bit depending on which air fryer you have and the shape and thickness of your meatloaf. I have a Ninja Foodi air fryer and made a rectangular loaf- it took about 20 mins to cook (maybe a little less).

I’ve seen other meatloaf air fryer recipes that take a bit longer than this. The best way to be sure your meatloaf is done cooking is to use a meat thermometer. I have this one and it works great. The internal temperature of your meatloaf should reach at least 160 degrees F in the center.

Possible Toppings for an AIP Meatloaf

This meatloaf is super flavorful and moist and really doesn’t “need” a topping. However, I know people love having a topping on their meatloaf, so here are some great options for toppings or something to dip it in:

• Use KC Naturals Ketchup or BBQ Sauce
• Make an AIP Gravy
• Nightshade Free BBQ Sauce
• Pineapple Bacon BBQ Sauce
• Nomato Sauce
• Mashed Sweet Potato

What to Serve With AIP Meatloaf

• Grilled or Fresh Vegetables
• Baked or Mashed Sweet Potatoes
• Salad
• Cauliflower Rice or Mash

Notes

• You Don’t Have to Use a Food Processor: I like using a food processor because it makes the texture consistent and helps to hold things together. However, if you don’t have a food processor, you can still make this recipe by chopping the veggies very small (think minced). 
• Shape the Loaf to Fit Your Air Fryer: I have a Ninja Foodi air fryer. Your air fryer may be a little different in size and shape. Just shape the meatloaf to fit in the air fryer. 
• Foil Recommended: While I don’t generally use much foil in cooking, it does make life a bit easier for this recipe. This is because it allows you to lift the loaf of the air fryer and it minimizes cleanup. If you just don’t want to use foil, that’s fine too. Just put the meatloaf straight in the fryer basket.
• Consider Doubling Up: This recipe makes about 4 servings- it’s just enough for our family of 4 as long as the meal has some sides to fill things out. That being said, I’ll probably double the recipe moving forward and just make 2 loaves out of the mixture. In particular, with having a near-teenaged boy in the house, someone usually wants seconds. 
• Don’t Use Super Lean Ground Beef– If you use super lean ground beef, it may dry things out a bit. I used an 80/20 ratio for this recipe which works well. You could probably go as lean as 85/15 but I wouldn’t go lower than that. 
• Don’t Overwork the Meat– Mix it enough to get everything incorporated evenly but don’t overdo it. Overworking the meat can make it tough.
• Let the Meatloaf Rest Before Cutting– Allowing the meatloaf to cool a little bit helps it to hold together better when you cut it.

Can You Freeze Air Fryer Eggless Meatloaf?

Yes! Meatloaf makes a great freezer meal. Just store it in an air-tight freezer-safe container.

If you enjoyed this recipe, you may also like: 

AIP Philly Cheesesteak Skillet

Air Fryer Teriyaki Chicken

Air Fryer Asparagus

Loaded Air Fryer Jicama Fries

Korean Glass Noodle Recipe with Ground Beef

7-Day AIP Meal Plan for Busy People

Conclusion:

I hope you love this recipe. Please leave a comment below and let me know what you thought!

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