Description
This Air Fryer Turkey Meatloaf recipe offers a healthy, quick-cooking alternative to traditional meatloaf. Made with lean ground turkey, grated zucchini, oats, and a touch of ketchup, it delivers moist, flavorful mini loaves cooked to perfection in the air fryer. Perfect for a nutritious weeknight dinner, this recipe is easy to prepare and packed with protein.
Ingredients
Scale
Meatloaf Mix
- 1 pound 93% lean ground turkey
- 1/3 cup quick rolled oats
- 1/3 cup minced onion
- 1/3 cup grated zucchini (well squeezed to remove excess moisture)
- 1 large egg, beaten
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/8 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/4 cup ketchup
Topping
- 2 tablespoons ketchup
Optional Garnish
- Minced parsley
Instructions
- Prepare the Meatloaf Mixture: In a medium mixing bowl, combine the ground turkey, quick rolled oats, grated zucchini (well squeezed to remove moisture), minced onion, 1/4 cup ketchup, beaten egg, kosher salt, and black pepper. Mix thoroughly with a fork or your hands until all ingredients are well incorporated.
- Shape Mini Loaves: Divide the meat mixture evenly into four portions. Shape each portion into a mini meatloaf, forming compact, loaf-like shapes that will fit comfortably in your air fryer basket.
- Air Fry Initial Cooking: Place the four mini loaves into the air fryer basket in a single layer without overcrowding. Set the air fryer to 350°F and cook the loaves for 15 minutes. This step helps the loaves start cooking evenly on all sides.
- Flip and Add Topping: After 15 minutes, carefully flip each mini loaf over. Use a brush or spoon to spread the remaining 2 tablespoons of ketchup on top of each loaf. This adds flavor and moisture to the surface as they finish cooking.
- Final Air Fry: Return the loaves to the air fryer and cook for an additional 5 minutes at 350°F. The internal temperature should reach fully cooked, and the topping will slightly caramelize for the perfect finish.
- Serve and Garnish: Once cooked through, remove the mini loaves from the air fryer. Optionally, sprinkle minced parsley over the loaves for a fresh, colorful garnish. Serve warm.
Notes
- Protein Swap: Substitute ground turkey with lean ground beef if preferred.
- Onion: Use red onion instead of white for a milder flavor.
- Oats: Can substitute quick rolled oats with old-fashioned oats; just expect a slightly different texture.
- Seasoning Enhancement: Add onion and garlic powder for extra depth of flavor.
- Ketchup Substitution: Replace ketchup with BBQ sauce for a smoky twist, or choose a sugar-free ketchup like Primal Kitchen to reduce sugar content.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 mini loaf
- Calories: 252 kcal
- Sugar: 5.5 g
- Sodium: 581 mg
- Fat: 11 g
- Saturated Fat: 3 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 14 g
- Fiber: 1.5 g
- Protein: 24.5 g
- Cholesterol: 130 mg
