Air Fryer Cracker Barrel Meatloaf
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I was honestly a little skeptical that my air fryer could handle a classic meatloaf, but this Air Fryer Cracker Barrel Meatloaf completely won me over. The Ritz crackers and sharp cheddar make every bite tender and buttery and that sticky brown sugar glaze caramelizes beautifully down each slice. It’s been on repeat in my kitchen ever since.
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It’s my go-to for Sunday dinners and busy weeknights when I need something hearty and filling, and everyone always goes back for seconds. This also makes the best next-day sandwiches, which makes it even more worth making a full loaf. Store leftovers covered in the fridge for up to 4 days or freeze for up to 3 months and reheat in the air fryer.
Ingredients You’ll Need
You’ll need all the ingredients shown in the photograph below.
How to Make Air Fryer Cracker Barrel Meatloaf with Step-By-Step Instructions
Scroll down for the full recipe card containing a full printable recipe and measurements in both US customary and metric units.
Here’s everything you need to know to get it right the first time and taste amazing, even with such simple ingredients.
Whisk the Glaze
Start by stirring together the ketchup, brown sugar, mustard, and Worcestershire sauce in a small bowl. Set it aside for now because you’ll use most of it halfway through cooking and save a few spoonfuls for serving alongside the finished meatloaf.
Combine the Filling
In a large bowl, beat the eggs, then add the shredded sharp cheddar cheese, crushed Ritz crackers, chopped onion, diced bell pepper, salt, and black pepper. Mix everything together well so the ingredients are evenly distributed before the beef goes in.
DO MORE WITH YOUR
AIR FRYER
This eBook is a collection of 86 recipes I make again and again in my own kitchen. If you love good food and easy instructions, this book was made for you.
Immediate eBook download. No physical book available.
∙ Cheesy Egg Bites
∙ Broccoli Cheddar Soup
∙ Asparagus Casserole
∙ Crack Chicken Casserole
∙ Coffee Cake
...and much more!
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Add the Ground Beef
Gently fold the lean ground beef into the cracker mixture with a wooden spoon until just combined. The key here is not to overmix because working the meat mixture too much will make the meatloaf dense and tough rather than tender and sliceable.
Press Into the Pan and Bake
Transfer the meatloaf mixture to your loaf pan lined with parchment paper and press it in evenly with a flexible silicone spatula so it cooks through uniformly. Place the meatloaf in the air fryer basket and air-fry at 350°F (180°C) for 15 minutes.
Glaze and Finish Cooking
Remove the meatloaf from the air fryer and spread most of the ketchup glaze across the top of the meatloaf, keeping a few spoonfuls reserved for serving.
Return it to the air fryer and bake for another 15 minutes, or until the internal temperature reads 160°F (71°C) in a digital thermometer. Guessing or skipping this step is a big NO for safety reasons, so I always have my meat thermometer on hand.
Rest and Serve
Let the air fryer meatloaf rest for 5 to 10 minutes before slicing so the juices redistribute and every slice holds together cleanly. Serve with the reserved glaze and your favorite sides like mashed potatoes or green beans. Enjoy!
This air fryer copycat Cracker Barrel meatloaf recipe is a great option for potlucks and gatherings because it travels really well. Once fully cooled, slice or transport it whole, then wrap it tightly in foil or transfer it to an airtight loaf container to keep moisture in.
If you’re bringing it warm, wrap the loaf pan in a thick kitchen towel or place it inside an insulated carrier to hold the heat. Bring the reserved glaze in a small sealed container or a mason jar on the side so people can add as much as they like when serving.
Equipment
Ingredients
- 2 pounds lean ground beef
- 1 cup onion chopped
- ½ cup bell pepper diced
- 1 ½ cups Ritz crackers crushed
- ½ cup sharp cheddar cheese shredded
- 2 medium eggs
- Salt and pepper to taste
For the topping:
- ½ cup ketchup
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar
- ¼ cup mustard
- 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
Instructions
- In a small bowl, whisk together the ketchup, brown sugar, mustard, and Worcestershire sauce. Set aside.½ cup ketchup, 2 tablespoons brown sugar, ¼ cup mustard, 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
- In a large bowl, beat the eggs. Add the shredded cheese, crushed crackers, chopped onion, bell pepper, salt, and pepper. Mix well to combine.1 cup onion, ½ cup bell pepper, ½ cup sharp cheddar cheese, 2 medium eggs, Salt and pepper, 1 ½ cups Ritz crackers
- Gently fold in the ground beef until just combined—be careful not to overmix, or the meatloaf may become dense.2 pounds lean ground beef
- Transfer the beef mixture to the prepared loaf pan and press it in evenly. Bake in the air fryer at 350°F (180°C) for 15 minutes.
- Remove the meatloaf from the air fryer and spread most of the ketchup topping over the top, saving a few spoonfuls for serving.
- Return to the air fryer and bake for another 15 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 160°F (71°C). Let the meatloaf rest for 5–10 minutes before slicing.
- Serve with the reserved sauce and your favorite sides like mashed potatoes or green beans.
Notes
Nutrition
DO MORE WITH YOUR
AIR FRYER
This eBook is a collection of 86 recipes I make again and again in my own kitchen. If you love good food and easy instructions, this book was made for you.
Immediate eBook download. No physical book available.
∙ Cheesy Egg Bites
∙ Broccoli Cheddar Soup
∙ Asparagus Casserole
∙ Crack Chicken Casserole
∙ Coffee Cake
...and much more!
Includes ad-free recipes like:
How to Store Leftovers
Once the meatloaf has cooled completely, wrap individual slices or the whole loaf tightly in plastic wrap and store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days.
Reheat slices in the microwave, oven, or skillet until warmed all the way through, or pop them back in the air fryer at 350°F for a few minutes to bring back that slightly crisp exterior.
For longer storage, the meatloaf freezes beautifully for up to 3 months. Wrap each slice individually in plastic wrap or foil, then place them all into a freezer-safe container or zip-top bag. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.
What to Serve With Air Fryer Cracker Barrel Meatloaf
Creamy mashed potatoes are the classic pairing here, and for good reason. The brown sugar glaze drips right into them in the best way.
Roasted green beans, buttered corn, or a simple garden salad all work really well on the side to balance out the richness of the meatloaf.
For a full Cracker Barrel-style spread, add some buttery dinner rolls to round out the plate. Leftovers also make an incredible meatloaf sandwich the next day with a little extra glaze spread on the bread.
More Easy Recipes for You to Try at Home
Here are a few more air fryer recipes you’ll want to try next.
