Ninja Foodi meatloaf is the bomb! Juicy in the center with a crispy barbecue sauce on the outside. All cooked in this pressure cooker and air fryer machine.
Did you just get this nifty device and looking for more Ninja Foodi recipes? Well, we have a Ninja Foodi meatloaf recipe for you that is amazing! It may become your go to from this day forward. (affiliate links present)
Here are a few resources to start with:
- This is the Ninja Cooking system we got
- You can grab a free recipe book too here. 😉
- You’ll find more Foodi air fryer recipes here too.
- Join my EASY Foodi Recipes Facebook group for more recipes.
Now let’s get to cooking!
Here’s what I used to make our Ninja Foodi meatloaf recipe:
- Ground beef
- you could use half ground sausage and half ground beef or turkey, your choice
- Air fryer basket (one included)
- Bread crumbs
- we used Italian style
- French onion soup mix
- A bit of Ranch dressing mix
- Dehydrated onions
- I prefer these because regular onions will add moisture
- Garlic powder
- Egg
- Barbecue sauce – this one is the BEST
You are going to use both Ninja Foodi pressure cooker and air fryer functions for this recipe.
- First you pressure cook your meatloaf so the meat gets done
- Keep in mind the timing below cooks the meat so there is no pink left. If you like yours less done adjust timing accordingly.
- Then you’ll drain the water inside your pot, return the basket with your meatloaf inside and pour barbecue sauce on top.
- Cose your air fryer lid. That is the one that is attached.
- In 8-12 minutes the outside of your meatloaf will become wonderfully crusty like we like it here.
- This is subjective so if you like it really crispy you’ll set closer to 12 minutes, or less if you just want a tad.
Why is this the best way to make meatloaf?
- This quick meatloaf recipe requires no preheating of the oven at all.
- Perfect when it’s hot outside and you don’t want to heat up your house.
- It is healthier because the fat drains away from the meat in the pressure cooking process.
- There are holes at the bottom of the air fryer basket used.
- You can adjust how crunchy the outside gets easily.
- The air crisp lid can be lifted up and checked often so it doesn’t burn. Adding more time is as easy and pushing a button.
Are you ready to try it now??!!
Seriously, it is the only way we make meatloaf anymore. Forget the loaf pan in the oven, this is a game changer!!
What is the best side dish for meatloaf?
I would say our two favorite pressure cooker recipes to serve with this is either white rice, or mashed potatoes. By way of vegetables I usually throw one of these in:
- Pressure cooker broccoli only takes 1 minute.
- Air fryer cauliflower with a bit of parmesan cheese on top is really good.
- Ninja Foodi vegetables mixed are low fat
Looking for more easy Ninja Foodi recipes?
- Air fryer tater tots smothered with cheese
- Make this into bite size pieces with meatballs in air fryer recipe
- Foodi roast recipe
- Ninja Foodi spaghetti is amazing with melted cheese on top.
If you have leftovers, store in airtight containers in the fridge. When reheating follow these tips:
How do you moisten meatloaf?
- Preheat your oven to 325 degrees
- Spray nonstick cooking spray onto the bottom of a baking dish.
- Pour a thin layer of tomato sauce, bbq sauce, or gravy in the bottom
- Lay slices of your dried up meatloaf inside
- Pour another thin layer of your sauce on top
- Bake for approx 10 minutes or until it’s as hot as you desire
Need other ways to make meatloaf?
- Our meatloaf muffin recipe is always a hit with the kids
- This crockpot meatloaf recipe is easy
- Smoked meatloaf recipe stuffed with bacon and cheese is amazing
Ninja Foodi Meatloaf
Ninja Foodi meatloaf is the bomb! Juicy in the center with a crispy barbecue sauce on the outside. All cooked in this pressure cooker and air fryer machine.
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 45 minutes
Total Time 40 minutes
Servings 4
Calories 446kcal
Ingredients
- 1 lb ground beef could use half ground sausage too
- 1/2 c bread crumbs we used Italian style
- 1 packet French onion soup mix
- 1 tbsp Ranch dressing mix
- 2 tsp dehydrated onions
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 green onion diced, optional
- 1 egg can leave out if you need it to be egg free, but is much moister with it
- 3/4 c barbecue sauce to be added once meatloaf is pressure cooked
Instructions
- Mix together all ingredients (except the bbq sauce) in a bowl until all powder is incorporated well into the meat.
- Form into a round or oval pattie with the same thickness all the way around so it cooks evenly. Add 1.5 c water into the inner pot of your Foodi.
- Place meat into air fryer basket and lower that into your inner pot.
- Close pressure cooker lid (one that isn't attached) and then turn Foodi on.
- Press pressure button, high, for 25 minutes.
- Allow to naturally release steam for 5-10 minutes. Then release rest of steam.
- Remove lid, pour water out of your inner pot, and pour barbecue sauce on top of your meatloaf patty. Sprinkle green onions on top if desired now.
- Close air crisp lid (one that is attached). Press air crisp button, 390 degrees for 10 minutes.
- Then remove meatloaf, slice and serve!
Nutrition Facts
Ninja Foodi Meatloaf
Amount Per Serving (3 oz)
Calories 446 Calories from Fat 207
% Daily Value*
Fat 23g35%
Saturated Fat 8g50%
Cholesterol 80mg27%
Sodium 1008mg44%
Potassium 466mg13%
Carbohydrates 34g11%
Fiber 1g4%
Sugar 18g20%
Protein 21g42%
Vitamin A 120IU2%
Vitamin C 0.3mg0%
Calcium 63mg6%
Iron 3.2mg18%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
Alli says
Such a great recipe! I would have never thought to make meatloaf like this. So good
Thomas says
How much longer do you think it takes her 2 pounds
Thomas says
How long would it take for 2 pounds
Shadi Hasanzadenemati says
Great with the bbq sauce, family loved it!
Sharon says
I made this last night, and it was a huge hit!! I will be making this again for sure. Thanks for the recipe!!
Heather says
Can I put carrots and potatoes in the pan below the basket?
The Typical Mom says
You could try, haven’t done that
Terry Cummings says
I used my own recipe (which has grated carrots, curry powder and ginger) but followed your cooking directions. By far the best way to cook ever! I had resorted to only cooking my meatloaf but no more. Love your recipes!
Ellen says
Terry, wish I had your recipe. Sounds yummy.
Diane Garza says
How much water do you put to pressure cook? Says empty water.
Kimberly Evans says
I put 1.5 cups of water while pressure cooking then drained the water for the air crisping. It was delicious!
Mickey says
I just bought the Ninja Deluxe xl pressure cooker oh my I have so much to learn , I am making meatloaf my first effort . All of you have been helpful and of course thank you Typical Mom for Recipe. Just wasn’t sure how much ground beef you used , I did 1.5 lb and hope for the best! Thanks
The Typical Mom says
You’re welcome! Yes it was about 1.5 lbs.
Christine C says
What if you don’t have the French onion soup mix? Can you omit it?
The Typical Mom says
Yes, it just won’t have as much flavor
Brandie says
Thanks! I am gluten free and I was not able to find dry soup that didn’t contain gluten. I’ll sub something else.
Linda says
I’m wondering how it bonds without eggs?
The Typical Mom says
I have always added an egg.
Lashawna82 says
I added an egg it turned out amazing!
The Typical Mom says
Awesome!!
Lashawna82 says
Amazing. Tried this tonight and it’s by far the most moist meatloaf ever!!!
The Typical Mom says
Yay so glad it was a hit!!
Michelle Goude says
I tried this recipe last night, and unintentionally left out the egg, (mom brain), I had added a small amount (maybe a 1/4 cup) of bbq sauce to the meat while mixing it already. So when I found the egg still sitting on the counter I figured I would just see how it turned out.
It was delicious, it wasn’t too dry, it stayed together just fine.
The Typical Mom says
Glad it was still a hit!
Becky says
Also wondering how doubling the recipe would change cooking time. 1 pound of meat will not feed my family.
Deanna says
What is the pressure cooking time for 2lbs of meat?
The Typical Mom says
It depends on how well done you want the inside to be. If you want it a bit pink inside then leave the timing the same. If you want it the color you see here I might add 2 minutes more to the pressure cooking time.
Nelson Theresa says
Can I do the pressure cooking remove the liquid and then leave the meatloaf in the basket for like an hour and then crisp later?
The Typical Mom says
Leaving it for that long I would think would dry it out.
Austin mom says
Does the 3/4 cup of barbeque sauce get mixed into the meat? Or reserved for the end? First step says to combine all ingredients so wasn’t sure…
Justine says
No that is added to top at the end before using air crisp.
Tara says
Pressure time the same if I double the recipe?
Jill Peddle says
Hey everyone, I am going to try this meatloaf for supper tonight, but I need help, its says to release the PC naturally, I don’t know what that means if I just leave mine alone the PC counts down then goes to warm setting and starts counting up.so I guess I need to figure out how. Please let me know I want to make this tonight but only had my ninja foodi less than 2 wks and need someone to help teach me the basics, ty for your time
The Typical Mom says
Ok so natural release means you don’t touch the steam valve to let it out. The machine will very slowly release the steam itself. So if your recipe says to naturally release for say 10 minutes then yes it will count up on your machine and when it says 10:00 then you flip the steam valve so the rest can come out. Hope that helps
Christy says
So does that mean to release at the 10 minute mark of the countdown timer? Confused by the post and the recipe, seems to contradict. Please advise. Thanks!
Janet Harrison says
what is the actual cook time for the meatloaf…is it 40 min on pressure cook?
Tiffany Hockenberry says
No. Read it.
25 minutes pressure cook.
10 natrual release.
10 air fryer.
Jennifer Banz says
Awesome idea using the Air Fryer for meatloaf! Thanks for sharing!
Linda says
I love both the Instant Pot and Air Fryer but I never thought about using them together. The Ninja Foodi system with both in one sounds like a real time and space saver. The meatloaf looks delicious and I’m one of those people that love the outside crispy so this is definitely for me.