The meatloaf is a second course based on ground meat with a delicious and varied filling. The characteristic of the meatloaf is its golden and crunchy crust, with a different surprise inside depending on the chosen filling. For this recipe, we have a meatloaf with mortadella and provolone, with a stringy and very tasty heart. We will cook it in the air fryer: this cooking method will allow the meatloaf to cook evenly and, as you will see, we will achieve a spectacular golden crunchy crust, and the inside will be super soft and juicy. Making this recipe is really very simple and quick. Moreover, with air fryer cooking, we will see how the times will be much faster.
To make this dish even more appetizing, I cooked potato wedges together with the meatloaf: they will be super crunchy and delicious, as if they were fried. For this recipe, it is necessary to cook the meatloaf directly in the perforated basket without using parchment paper: this will allow it to cook perfectly and also the excess fats and oils can drip into the tray below, resulting in a lighter, crispier meatloaf and juicier inside. Let’s see how to make this recipe step by step.
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- Difficulty: Easy
- Cost: Affordable
- Preparation time: 15 Minutes
- Portions: 4 people
- Cooking methods: Air frying
- Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients
- 9 oz ground pork
- 9 oz ground beef
- 2 slices white sandwich bread
- as needed milk (to soften the bread)
- 2 tbsps grated Parmesan
- 2 eggs
- 4 slices mortadella
- 5 oz provolone
- 4 potatoes
- as needed parsley
- as needed salt
- as needed pepper
- as needed extra virgin olive oil
Tools
- Air fryer
Steps
Cut the white bread and place it in a bowl with some milk to soften it. Squeeze it well and set aside. In a large bowl, combine the two types of ground meat, the eggs, the softened and well-squeezed bread, grated Parmesan, chopped parsley, salt, and pepper. If you like, you can also add chopped garlic. Work everything with your hands for a few minutes until you get a homogeneous mixture. If it’s too soft, add breadcrumbs.
Place plastic wrap on the work surface and put the meat mixture on top. Spread it with your hands into a rectangular shape about 0.39 inches thick. Lay the mortadella slices and provolone slices on top, then roll it up, starting from one side and using the plastic wrap to help. Close it until you get a candy shape. Seal it well with the wrap and place it in the refrigerator for about half an hour.
Put the meatloaf in the air fryer basket without parchment paper. It is advisable to unwrap it from the wrap directly into the basket. Give it a spray of extra virgin olive oil or brush a little on top, and cook it at 355°F for 35 minutes.
Meanwhile, peel and wash the potatoes, dry them, and cut them into cubes. Season them in a bowl with a drizzle of oil and salt. After 10 minutes of cooking, take the meatloaf (which will already be golden), turn it over, and add the potatoes to the sides. Continue cooking. It will be essential to turn the meatloaf at least twice to achieve even cooking. Also, turn the potatoes twice during cooking.
Once cooked, slice it, and it will be ready to enjoy. Bon appétit.
Tips for you
✔ The meatloaf is excellent even when cold. You can store it in the refrigerator for up to 3 – 4 days, or you can freeze it and thaw it later.
✔ You can choose a different filling, for example, spinach and provolone, or speck and mozzarella.
✔ It is necessary to cook the meatloaf directly in the basket of the air fryer without pans or parchment paper: this way, they will cook thanks to the air that circulates 360 degrees from top to bottom, allowing for ideal air frying. Pans or parchment paper would obstruct the circulating air within the air fryer.
✔ Cooking in the perforated basket WITHOUT parchment paper allows excess fat and oils to drip down, not coming into contact with the meat. This will give you a lighter meatloaf, crispy on the outside and super juicy inside.
✔ I recommend using the BBQ mesh to insert directly into the non-stick basket of your air fryer: the mesh protects the basket’s non-stick surface (which will remain like new) and allows the food to cook evenly, letting air pass 360 degrees. You can find it on Amazon by clicking here.
✔ Alternatively, you can use perforated parchment paper, which allows air to pass from below to above. You can find it on Amazon by clicking here: link.
✔ For this recipe, I used the COSORI Dual Blaze Air Fryer 6.4 L, with upper and lower heating elements. You can find it here: link.
Don’t miss the latest recipe for 👉 stuffed and gratinated cuttlefish in the air fryer: tasty, easy, and quick to make.
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