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Sloppy Joes were already our weeknight favorite, and then this Air Fryer Sloppy Joe Casserole came along and made them even better. The tangy, savory ground beef filling is topped with a fluffy Bisquick biscuit layer loaded with cheddar cheese that bakes up deeply golden and bubbly on top. It’s comfort food at its best and never lasts more than one night in this house.
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I make this for weeknight dinners, potlucks, and game day spreads because it is cheesy, completely crowd-pleasing, and comes together so quickly that it is totally doable even on the busiest nights of the week. It’s even faster than the oven version and the whole family loves it every single time. If you do end up with leftovers, store them in an airtight container in the fridge for 3 to 4 days.
Ingredients You’ll Need
You’ll need all the ingredients shown in the photograph below.
How to Make Air Fryer Sloppy Joe Casserole 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.
Let’s walk through each step of making sloppy joes casserole in your air fryer so it comes out golden, saucy, and perfectly cheesy every time.
Preheat the Air Fryer
Start by preheating your air fryer to 320°F (160°C). Getting the air fryer hot before adding the casserole helps the biscuit top cook evenly from the start, and it only takes a few minutes.
Brown the Beef and Onion
Add the ground beef (or tender ground beef for extra juiciness, or ground chicken for a leaner option) and diced onion to a skillet over medium heat and cook until fully browned, breaking it up as it cooks for an even, crumbly texture.
Drain any excess fat before moving on to keep the filling from becoming greasy. A good wooden spoon like this one makes breaking up the meat easy without scratching your pan.
Simmer the Sloppy Joe Filling
Stir in the ketchup and yellow mustard, then let everything simmer for about 5 minutes so the filling thickens slightly and the flavors meld into a classic tangy sloppy joe mixture. Give it a taste and stir a few times while it simmers to keep the sauce from sticking, ensure even cooking, and blend the flavors fully for a rich, balanced filling.
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.
Includes ad-free recipes like:
∙ Cheesy Egg Bites
∙ Broccoli Cheddar Soup
∙ Asparagus Casserole
∙ Walking Taco Casserole
∙ Chocolate Cake Cookies
...and much more!
Mix the Biscuit Batter
In a mixing bowl, stir the Bisquick mix and milk together until smooth. Don’t overmix it, just combine until you have a pourable batter with no dry pockets. I use this large mixing bowl because it gives me plenty of room to mix ingredients easily and makes clean up simple.
Layer the Casserole
Spread the beef mixture evenly into your baking dish, then pour the biscuit batter over the top in an even layer. Sprinkle the shredded cheddar cheese over the batter so it melts into the biscuit as it cooks. Make sure the baking dish fits your air fryer basket before you start assembling.
Air Fry Until Golden
Place the baking dish into the air fryer basket and cook for 15 to 20 minutes, checking around the 15-minute mark when the biscuit top should be golden and set through.
If the cheese or biscuit starts browning faster than you’d like, loosely cover the top with a piece of aluminum foil for the last few minutes of cooking. A set of silicone-tipped tongs helps you lift and position the foil safely without burning your fingers.
Garnish and Serve
Once the casserole is done, let it cool for a couple of minutes before scooping. Sprinkle chopped fresh parsley over the top for a little color and freshness. Serve warm straight from the dish. Enjoy!
Before taking the casserole to a potluck or family gathering, let it cool completely to set so the layers hold together and the filling doesn’t spill. Then, cover it with this heavy-duty aluminum foil and a kitchen towel.
For longer trips, place the wrapped dish in an insulated casserole carrier to keep it warm until ready to serve.
Air Fryer Sloppy Joe Casserole
Ingredients
- 1 pound lean ground beef
- 1 medium onion diced
- 1 cup ketchup
- 1 tablespoon yellow mustard
- 2 cups Bisquick mix
- 1 cup milk
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- Fresh parsley chopped (for garnish)
Instructions
- Preheat the air fryer to 320°F (160°C).
- In a skillet over medium heat, cook the ground beef and diced onion until the beef is browned. Drain any excess fat.1 pound lean ground beef, 1 medium onion
- Stir in the ketchup and mustard, then let the mixture simmer for about 5 minutes.1 cup ketchup, 1 tablespoon yellow mustard
- In a mixing bowl, combine the Bisquick mix and milk until smooth to form the biscuit batter.2 cups Bisquick mix, 1 cup milk
- Spread the beef mixture evenly in the prepared baking dish. Pour the biscuit batter over the top, then sprinkle with shredded cheddar cheese.1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- Place the casserole in the air fryer basket and cook for 15 to 20 minutes, or until the top is golden and cooked through. If the top begins to brown too quickly, loosely cover the casserole with aluminum foil during the last few minutes.
- Garnish with fresh parsley and serve warm.Fresh parsley
Notes
- Drain the beef well: After browning, drain as much fat as you can before adding the ketchup and mustard. Too much fat can make the biscuit layer greasy and stop it from setting properly.
- Don’t skip the simmer: Simmering the beef mixture for the full 5 minutes thickens the filling and intensifies the flavor. If it’s too watery, the biscuit layer can become soggy.
- Smooth out the batter: Pour the Bisquick batter slowly and spread it gently to cover the beef evenly. If the layer is uneven, some spots may cook less than others.
- Check your dish size first: Check that your baking dish fits in the air fryer basket before assembling the casserole. If it’s too wide or tall, airflow is blocked, and it won’t cook evenly.
- Watch the top closely: Air fryers can brown the top quickly. Check at 15 minutes, and if the cheese or biscuit is getting too dark before the center is set, cover it loosely with foil.
- Flash freeze for easy portions: If you’re freezing leftovers, cut the casserole into portions and place them on a baking sheet for about an hour. This keeps them from sticking together, so you can easily grab just what you need before transferring to containers.
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.
Includes ad-free recipes like:
∙ Cheesy Egg Bites
∙ Broccoli Cheddar Soup
∙ Asparagus Casserole
∙ Walking Taco Casserole
∙ Chocolate Cake Cookies
...and much more!
How to Store Leftovers
Let the casserole cool completely before storing. Transfer leftovers to an airtight glass container and refrigerate for up to 3 days. To reheat, pop individual portions in the microwave for about 90 seconds, or warm the whole dish in the oven or air fryer at 300°F (149°C) for 5 to 8 minutes until heated through.
To freeze, cut the casserole into portions, wrap each in BPA-free plastic, and place in a freezer-safe bag or container. It will keep up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge, then reheat in the air fryer to restore the biscuit top’s crispness.
What to Serve With Air Fryer Sloppy Joe Casserole
A simple green salad or a side of coleslaw pairs really well since the freshness and crunch balance out the hearty, saucy beef. Roasted or steamed broccoli also works great and rounds out the meal without adding a lot of extra prep time.
For a more filling spread, serve it alongside corn on the cob, baked beans, or a cup of tomato soup. It’s rich and satisfying on its own, so you don’t need much, just something to add a little variety to the plate.
More Easy Recipes for You to Try at Home
Here are more comforting and delicious air fryer recipes that come together just as easily.
