You can preheat the air fryer to 400 degrees F in order to cook meatballs in it. Fill the basket of an air fryer with frozen meatballs in a single layer.

Air Fryer Meatballs are the new star of “meatball night.” They have a lightly crispy exterior and juicy interiors and are made with lean ground turkey or chicken, Parmesan, and Italian seasonings. The best meatballs in the entire world!

How to Make Air Fryer Meatballs

The Ingredients

• Ground Turkey. Delicious air fryer meatballs are made with lean, protein-rich ground turkey. Although it is lighter, the flavor is still fantastic.
• Parmesan. The cheesy, salty component that gives these meatballs a particularly delectable flavor.
• Breadcrumbs. retains the moisture of the meatballs. Because I enjoy the extra flavor they add, I used breadcrumbs that had an Italian seasoning.
• Italian Seasoning. An efficient method for adding a variety of herbs and spices that give the dish an Italian flair.
• Spices. Without changing the meatballs’ texture, onion powder and garlic powder aid in incorporating onion and garlic flavor.
• Red Pepper Flakes. Although it’s optional, I believe that adding some spice enhances the flavor of the meatballs.
• Egg. The crucial glue that holds our meatballs together.

The Directions

• Place ground beef and ground pork in a large mixing bowl.
• Beat eggs, then add to the beef mixture. Add 1 Italian breadcrumbs, garlic powder, onion powder, and Italian seasoning, then stir it all together.
• Add Parmesan cheese and stir to combine completely.
• Rolling the mixture into meatballs with your hands will ensure an even distribution of the mixture. Put them in the basket of your air fryer or on the rack of your air fryer.
• Cook for five minutes at 400°F in an air fryer. After the five minutes are up, switch the top tray from the bottom rack to the bottom tray. Cook for an additional five minutes.
• Sprinkle with sea salt and sliced green onions if desired. Serve as is or use in recipes, and enjoy!

Also Check: 20+ Instant Pot Air Fryer Recipes 2023 – Tasty & Delicious

How Long to Air Fry Meatballs?

It will depend on the size. You should air fry a typical 2-inch meatball for 5 minutes at 400 degrees Fahrenheit. The top tray should be placed on the bottom rack after the five minutes are up. five more minutes of cooking.

I always advise checking the level of doneness with a meat thermometer. Always cook your meatballs until the meatballs reach an internal temperature of 160 degrees F on an instant-read thermometer.

Also Read: What Size Air Fryer Do I Need – How to Choose the Right Size

Meatballs Air Fryer Tips

These are useful hints for everyone, whether you’ve used an air fryer frequently or never. These will assist you in ensuring that these meatballs cooked in an air fryer turn out perfectly.

• Preheat your air fryer: Many people are unaware that using an air fryer for this is a good idea! When you mix up your meatballs, set your air fryer to 400 degrees so that it will be hot when you put the meatballs inside. This helps your food cook more evenly and takes less time! (Read More: How to Preheat an Air Fryer – Will Food Become More Delicious?)
• Don’t stack or overlap your food: Ensure that your meatballs are arranged in a single layer before inserting them into the air fryer. Don’t stack them or else some of the meatballs will come out undercooked and others will be burned. The key to air frying food is to do it in smaller batches and in one layer!
• Don’t use a cooking spray: Cooking sprays like Pam shouldn’t be used with air fryers. They lead to their chipping! Buy a high-quality oil mister if you want to spray it to prevent food from sticking. (Read More: How to Use Oil in an Air Fryer – Mistakes to Avoid)

Storage Tips

• To Store. For up to three days, store meatballs in the refrigerator in an airtight container.
• To Reheat. On a baking sheet, reheat leftovers in the oven or microwave at 350 degrees F.
• To Freeze. Leftover meatballs should be arranged in a single layer on a baking sheet and frozen until solid. Put the frozen air fryer meatballs in a ziptop bag or other airtight freezer-safe storage container. Freeze for up to 3 months. Let thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.

Are Breadcrumbs Necessary in Meatballs?

To hold your meatball mixture together, you should ideally have some kind of binder.

In any other case, you risk having a mushy mess after the meatballs crumble.

About a half cup of breadcrumbs and an egg mixed into the batter will do the trick.

You can make them from your favorite gluten-free bread or use gluten-free bread crumbs if you’re gluten intolerant.

Why Are My Meatballs Tough?

Your meatballs may have turned out too tough or chewy for a number of different reasons.

Don’t skip the breadcrumbs and eggs – you’ll need them to bind the meat together and keep it moist.

If the binder is not used, too much moisture may be rendered off during cooking, making the meatballs tough.

Overcooking is another factor in tough meatballs. The various types of air fryers available on the market each function slightly differently.

Observe the meatballs carefully to prevent overcooking, as with any other recipe. You may need to adjust your cooking times by a minute or two.

Meatball Recipes FAQs

Try the following Air Fryer recipes if you are interested!