Air Fryer Italian Meatloaves with Cheese and Pepperoni

Follow our step-by-step guide on how to make Air Fryer Italian Meatloaves with Cheese and Pepperoni.

1. Step 1

   Start by grabbing a medium bowl and whisk together the milk, basil pesto, beaten egg, minced garlic, and a dash of ground black pepper until everything is well blended.

2. Step 2

   Next, gently fold in the ground beef and Italian-seasoned panko bread crumbs, taking care not to overmix—this will keep your meatloaves tender and juicy.

3. Step 3

   Once combined, divide the mixture into four equal portions and shape each one into a patty.

4. Step 4

   To add a fun twist, create a little well in the center of each patty, leaving about a half-inch border around the edge.

5. Step 5

   Now comes the delicious part: place two slices of pepperoni in each well, overlapping them slightly to cover the bottom, and then sprinkle a quarter of the mozzarella balls on top of the pepperoni.

6. Step 6

   Carefully press the meat mixture around the filling to enclose it, forming each portion into a lovely oblong loaf shape.

7. Step 7

   Arrange your meatloaves in the air fryer basket, ensuring they have a little space between them so they can cook evenly—if your air fryer is small, you might need to do this in batches.

8. Step 8

   Set your air fryer to 370°F (190°C) and let those meatloaves cook for about 15 minutes.

9. Step 9

   You’ll know they’re ready when an instant-read thermometer inserted into the thickest part reads 165°F (75°C).

10. Step 10

    Once they’re cooked to perfection, serve your meatloaves topped with warm marinara sauce and a sprinkle of fresh basil for that extra burst of flavor.

11. Step 11

    Enjoy this delightful dish that’s sure to impress family and friends!.