Make perfectly juicy air fryer meatballs in just 10 minutes with this quick and easy recipe. Whether you’re serving them with pasta, in a sub, or as an appetizer, these meatballs are sure to be a hit. Let’s dive into how to make these flavorful and tender meatballs using your air fryer.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
These air fryer meatballs are a game-changer! They’re juicy, packed with flavor, and incredibly easy to make. Plus, using the air fryer means you get that delicious, crispy exterior without the need for extra oil. Here’s why you’ll love making these meatballs:
- Juicy and tender: The perfect combination of ground beef and pork keeps these meatballs moist and flavorful.
- Quick and easy: Ready in just 10 minutes, this air fryer meatballs recipe is perfect for busy weeknights or last-minute meals.
- Versatile: Serve these meatballs over pasta, in a sub, or as an appetizer with your favorite dipping sauce.
- Healthy option: These can be made as healthy air fryer meatballs by using leaner meats and skipping the breadcrumbs.
Jump to:
- Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Ingredients
- Ingredient Substitutions
- How to Make Juicy Air Fryer Meatballs
- Expert Tips for the Best Air Fryer Meatballs
- Serving Suggestions
- Variations
- FAQ
- Nutritional Information
- Storage and Leftovers
- Reheating Air Fryer Meatballs
- Kitchen Essentials and Items Used
- Air Fryer Meatballs
Ingredients
To make these juicy air fryer meatballs, you’ll need the following ingredients:
- Ground Meat: A combination of beef and pork gives the best flavor and texture. You can also use all beef, ground turkey, or even try making keto air fryer meatballs by using almond flour instead of breadcrumbs.
- Seasonings: Italian seasoning, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper add depth and flavor.
- Breadcrumbs: Helps to bind the meatballs and gives them a nice texture. For a healthier option or to make air fryer meatballs without breadcrumbs, consider using almond flour or flavored breadcrumbs.
- Egg: Essential for binding the ingredients together.
- Parmesan Cheese: Adds a rich, savory flavor that takes these meatballs to the next level.
- Milk or Water: Adds moisture to the meatballs, keeping them tender during cooking.
Ingredient Substitutions
- Breadcrumbs: Swap regular breadcrumbs with almond flour for a keto-friendly version or use Italian-flavored breadcrumbs to intensify the flavors.
- Ground Meat: Use ground turkey or chicken instead of beef and pork for a leaner option. You can also mix in finely diced vegetables like onions, bell peppers, or mushrooms for added moisture and flavor.
- Milk or Water: Using milk instead of water can enhance the flavor of the meatballs, making them even more tender.
How to Make Juicy Air Fryer Meatballs
Step 1: Prepare the Meatball Mixture
Start by combining your ground meat, seasonings, breadcrumbs (or almond flour for keto), egg, Parmesan cheese, and milk or water in a large mixing bowl. Use your hands or a fork to mix everything together until just combined. Be careful not to overmix, as this can make the meatballs tough.
Step 2: Shape the Meatballs
Next, form the mixture into evenly sized balls, about 1.5 inches in diameter. This size ensures they cook evenly in the air fryer. To make this easier, lightly wet your hands before shaping the meatballs. This helps prevent the mixture from sticking to your hands and ensures smooth, even balls.
Step 3: Preheat the Air Fryer
Preheat your air fryer to 400°F (200°C). Preheating the air fryer ensures that the meatballs start cooking immediately when placed in the basket, which helps achieve a crispy exterior.
Step 4: Cook the Meatballs
Lightly grease the air fryer basket to prevent sticking, then place the meatballs in a single layer in the basket. Make sure to leave some space between each meatball so that the air can circulate properly, ensuring even cooking. Cook the meatballs for 10-12 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through to ensure even browning on all sides. The meatballs should reach an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).
Step 5: Rest and Serve
Once the meatballs are cooked, remove them from the air fryer and let them rest for about 5 minutes before serving. This allows the juices to redistribute throughout the meatballs, keeping them moist and flavorful.
Expert Tips for the Best Air Fryer Meatballs
- Don’t Overmix: Overmixing the meatball mixture can lead to tough meatballs. Mix until the ingredients are just combined.
- Use a Meat Thermometer: To ensure your meatballs are cooked through but still juicy, use a meat thermometer to check that they’ve reached an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).
- Avoid Overcrowding: Don’t overcrowd the air fryer basket; leave plenty of room for air to circulate around the meatballs. This will help them cook evenly and develop a nice, crispy exterior.
- Add Vegetables: For extra moisture and flavor, finely dice vegetables like onions, bell peppers, or mushrooms and mix them into the meatball mixture.
Serving Suggestions
These air fryer meatballs are incredibly versatile. Here are a few ideas for how to serve them:
- Classic Spaghetti and Meatballs: Serve these meatballs over a bed of spaghetti with marinara sauce for a classic Italian meal.
- Meatball Subs: Place the meatballs in a toasted sub roll, top with marinara sauce and mozzarella cheese, and bake until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Appetizer Style: Serve the meatballs with toothpicks and a variety of dipping sauces at your next party. They make a great finger food that everyone will love.
- Meatballs with Mashed Potatoes: Pair these meatballs with creamy mashed potatoes for a hearty and comforting meal.
- Meatballs with Rice or Egg Noodles: Serve the meatballs over rice or egg noodles for a quick and easy dinner option.
- Saucy Meatballs: Toss the meatballs in your favorite sauce, such as teriyaki, buffalo, or barbecue, before serving.
Variations
Want to switch things up? Here are some variations you can try:
- Turkey Meatballs: Substitute ground turkey for a leaner option. They’ll still be juicy and flavorful!
- Spicy Meatballs: Add red pepper flakes or chopped jalapeños to the mixture for a kick of heat.
- Cheese-Stuffed Meatballs: Insert a small cube of mozzarella or cheddar cheese into the center of each meatball before cooking. The cheese will melt and create a gooey, delicious center.
- Healthy Air Fryer Meatballs: Use ground turkey or chicken and skip the breadcrumbs to keep these meatballs light and healthy.
- Keto Air Fryer Meatballs: Replace the breadcrumbs with almond flour to keep this recipe keto-friendly.
- Sauced Meatballs: Try coating the meatballs in a sauce before air frying, such as bulgogi, katsu, or eel sauce, for a unique twist.
FAQ
Yes, you can! After cooking, let the meatballs cool completely, then place them in an airtight container or freezer bag. They’ll keep in the freezer for up to 3 months. To reheat, simply pop them back in the air fryer at 350°F (175°C) until warmed through.
Cooked meatballs will keep in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Store them in an airtight container for best results.
Absolutely! You can use all beef, all pork, or even ground chicken or turkey. Just keep in mind that the flavor and texture may vary slightly depending on the type of meat you use.
You can skip the breadcrumbs entirely or replace them with almond flour for a keto-friendly version. The meatballs will still be deliciously juicy and flavorful.
Nutritional Information
Here’s a breakdown of the nutritional information for these air fryer meatballs:
- Calories: Approximately 250 per serving
- Protein: 20g
- Carbohydrates: 6g (varies if using breadcrumbs or almond flour)
- Fat: 16g
- Fiber: 1g
- Sugar: 1g
These values may vary depending on the exact ingredients you use, particularly if you opt for healthier versions or variations.
Storage and Leftovers
If you have leftovers (which might be unlikely because these meatballs are so tasty!), store them in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days.
Reheating Air Fryer Meatballs
If you have leftover meatballs, reheating them is simple. Preheat your air fryer to 350°F (175°C), place the meatballs in a single layer in the basket, and heat for 5-7 minutes or until warmed through. This method ensures they remain juicy and crispy, just like when they were first cooked.
Kitchen Essentials and Items Used
COSORI Air Fryer,Max XL 5.8 Quart
COSORI 12-in-1 Oven Air Fryer Combo
365 Everyday Value, Bread Crumbs, Panko, 8 oz
365 Everyday Value, Extra Virgin Olive Oil, Mediterranean Blend, 33.8 fl oz
Air Fryer Meatballs
Ingredients
- 1 Pound Ground Beef
- 1/2 Cup Panko Bread Crumbs
- 1/4 Cup Milk
- 2 Eggs
- 1 Tbsp. Italian Seasoning
- 1 tsp. Salt
- 1 tsp. Black Pepper
- 1 tsp. Onion Powder
- 1 tsp. Garlic Powder
- 6 Tbsp. Fresh Parmesan Cheese
Instructions
- Mix the ground beef, breadcrumbs, milk, egg, spices, salt, pepper, and Parmesan well.
- Make Meatballs from the meat mixture into medium-sized balls. Set aside or place in the fridge for 10 minutes.
- Preheat the Air Fryer to 400 degrees
- Place Meatballs in Air Fryer making sure they do not touch each other. Spray with olive oil and Cook at 400 degrees for 8-10 Minutes.
- Serve with Marinara Sauce or use for Sub Sandwiches or Sliders.
- Makes About 12 Golf Ball Sized Meatballs
