We love a juicy meatloaf as the centerpiece for a traditional meal. But this isn't your grandma's meatloaf, where she only had a conventional oven at her disposal. Nope. We have all kinds of ways to cook meatloaves, from slow cookers to air fryers. So, get ready to feed your family your way with our meatloaf time and temp cooking chart and tips.
| Method | Temperature | Cooking time (per pound) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Conventional oven | 350°F (177°C) | 35 to 45 minutes per pound | |
| 400°F (218°C) | 30 to 40 minutes per pound | ||
| 450°F (232°C) | 25 to 30 minutes per pound | not recommended | |
| Convection oven | 325°F (163°C) | 26 to 34 minutes per pound | |
| 375°F (191°C) | 22 to 30 minutes per pound | ||
| Slow cooker | High | 4 hours | for any size |
| Low | 8 hours | for any size | |
| Instant pot | High pressure | 25 minutes | for 1 or 2 pounds; allow pressure to release naturally |
| Air fryer | 350°F (177°C) | 25 to 30 minutes per pound | |
| Air fry 390° to 400°F (199 to 218°C) | 20 to 25 minutes per pound |
Cooking Meatloaf: Temp and Time
A traditional meatloaf contains a combination of 2 parts of ground beef, 1 part of ground veal, and 1 part of ground pork. Regardless of how you're cooking it, you'll need to cook the meatloaf recipe until the internal temperature reaches 160°F (71°C) using a digital meat thermometer. However, use this time and temperature guideline for any combination of ground meats (not poultry) that includes beef, lamb, veal, and pork.
If using ground poultry in your meatloaf, you'll need to cook it to an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C), which will adjust the cooking time by about 5 minutes per pound.
Meatloaf in a Conventional Oven
In a conventional oven at 350°F, a good rule of thumb is 35 to 45 minutes per pound. Cooking times will vary due to variations in oven temperature.
- Muffin tin meatloaves (standard muffin tin) take about 20 to 30 minutes. Begin taking the temperature at 20 minutes.
- Mini meatloaves take 30 to 40 minutes. Begin taking the temperature at 30 minutes.
- 1 pound will take 35 minutes to 45 minutes. Begin taking the temperature at 35 minutes.
- 2 pounds will take 55 minutes to an hour and ten minutes. Begin taking the temperature at 55 minutes.
- 3 pounds will take about 90 minutes to 2 hours. Begin taking the temperature at 90 minutes.
Meatloaf in Convection Oven
Convection ovens speed cooking times by circulating the heat in the oven with a fan, making the oven temperature more even throughout. The rule of thumb with a convection oven is to reduce temperature by 25°F and cooking time by 25%. So in a convection oven, you can cook your meatloaf at 325°F and the cooking times will change as follows:
- Muffin tin meatloaves take from 17 to 30 minutes. Begin checking at 17 minutes.
- Mini meatloaves (8 to 9 ounces) take from 22 to 34 minutes. Begin checking at 22 minutes.
- 1-pound meatloaves take between 26 and 42 minutes. Begin checking at 26 minutes.
- 2-pound meatloaves take between 41 and 53 minutes. Start checking temp at 41 minutes.
Slow Cooker Meatloaf
As with any other food you cook in a slow cooker, you can cook a meatloaf on low for about 8 hours or on high for about four. Don't forget to double-check the internal temperature of the meatloaf before serving.
Related: Loaded Mashed Potato Recipe: The Perfect Side for Meatloaf
Instant Pot Meatloaf
In an instant pot, cook the meatloaf on high pressure. It will take 25 minutes for a 2-pound meatloaf. A 1-pound meatloaf will take about the same. Allow the pressure to release naturally, which will take about 10 minutes and can serve as your resting time.
Meatloaf in an Air Fryer
When cooking meatloaf in an air fryer, you'll probably need a smaller meatloaf. One pound is about the perfect air fryer size, so you don't overcrowd the basket. Mini loaves also work well in an air fryer. At 350°F, cook for 25 to 30 minutes per pound (or about 15 to 20 minutes for mini loaves). On air fry (390°F to 400°F), cook for 20 to 25 minutes per pound (around 12 to 15 minutes for mini loaves).
Nobody wants a dried-out meatloaf, and one key to a juicy one is allowing it to rest after cooking. Tent the meatloaf with foil and allow it to sit for about 15 minutes so the meatloaf firms up and the juices redistribute throughout the meat.
All the Ways to Cook Meatloaf
Meatloaf is a classic hearty supper and a perennial family favorite. No matter what recipe or cooking method you use, make the perfect meatloaf with our cooking temps and times.
