BBQ Meatloaf for Two Baked in an Air Fryer

[nybirder]

This is still a work in progress but I thought it was good enough try again. Very flavorful. A warning--what works in a bucket-style air fryer might need to be modified for an oven-style air fryer and vice versa. Also, if you don't have an air fryer, I think a convection oven could work for a slightly longer time. In any case, check for doneness early and often with an instant-read thermometer.

BBQ Meatloaf for Two Baked in an Air Fryer

This is a combination of two recipes.
First: Air Fryer Meat Loaf for Two, tasteofhome.com/recipes/air-fryer-meat-loaf/
which gave me some guidance in baking times. I have used a range of times because air fryers appear to be pretty variable from manufacturer to manufacturer and depending on the style of oven.

Second, I cut down this recipe to make 2 servings. The link gives ingredients for a 
BBQ Meatloaf— www.theanthonykitchen.com/bbq-meatloaf/

OTHER CHANGES I MADE:
--I chose to use quick oats instead of cracker crumbs or bread crumbs because I like the texture better.
--I did not use the liquid smoke because I was afraid the smokiness would be too strong. This would depend on the type of BBQ sauce you use, too.
--Next time, I would precook the onion in the microwave for a minute before using it. Such a short baking time left the onion bits still crunchy.
--I used 1/2 lb. of meatloaf mix from my market which is 50-50 beef/pork. I think using 80% beef would be similar. I wouldn’t use leaner than 85% beef for the air fryer.

2 servings
1/3 cup quick oats
1/2 teaspoon Kosher salt or 1/4 tsp. table salt
3/8 teaspoons chili powder
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
1/4 teaspoon ground cumin
3/16 teaspoon garlic powder (rounded 1/8 tsp.)
1/8 teaspoon onion powder
1 large egg
1/4 cup 2% milk
3/4 tsp Worcestershire sauce
3/8 teaspoon unsalted liquid smoke (I did not use this)
3 tablespoons chopped yellow onion
1/2 pound ground beef (80/20)
TOPPING
3 tbsp thick BBQ sauce—I used Sticky Fingers Carolina-Style Sauce, but use your favorite

Preheat air fryer to 325°.

Have ready a rimmed sheet pan lined with foil, preferably nonstick foil, if you are using an air fryer convection oven. Or, grease the air fryer baking surface if you use a different style of fryer.

In a bowl, use a fork to mix together quick oats, salt, chili powder, pepper, cumin, garlic powder, and onion powder. Add the milk, egg, Worcestershire, and liquid smoke (optional) and mix once more. (Clean hands work best.)

Add the ground beef and minced onion and mix with your hands until all of the ingredients are evenly incorporated. Transfer the mixture to the prepared pan and shape into a narrow loaf (the meatloaf will spread as it bakes). Or shape into 2 individual mini loaves.

Spread or brush half of the BBQ sauce over the meatloaf and bake in the fryer for 15-20 minutes. Remove from the oven, carefully spread over the remaining sauce and cook until a thermometer reads 160°, 10-15 minutes longer. (I did about 7 minutes and then turned on the broiler and kept it there about 5 minutes more to brown the glaze a bit.)

Allow the meatloaf to rest about 10-15 minutes before slicing into it.