Air Fryer Meatballs
Serve air fryer meatballs as appetizers or make them a main dish. These juicy meatballs are quick to make and always a crowd favorite.
These air fryer meatballs are quick and easy to make, flavorful, and perfectly juicy with a lightly crisp exterior. Made with lean ground beef, pantry-friendly seasonings, an egg for binding, and a bit of panko for texture, the recipe comes together in under 30 minutes. It’s a great option for weeknight dinners and appetizers. The air fryer cuts down the cooking time while still giving you beautifully browned meatballs without needing extra oil or frying.
Serve the meatballs just as they are, or dress them up with your favorite sauce. Toss them in marinara and serve over pasta or on sub rolls for classic meatball sandwiches. For a retro-style appetizer, coat them in a sweet and tangy grape jelly and chili sauce mixture. Or glaze them with smoky BBQ sauce for a crowd-pleasing party bite. However you serve them, they are sure to disappear fast!
Air Fryer Tips
- Avoid crowding the meatballs. The air fryer cooks quickly by moving the heat around the food, so work in batches if necessary to ensure uniform cooking.
- Spraying the basket and food can encourage browning.
- Make sure to shake the basket occasionally to brown the meatballs evenly.
How to Store and Reheat
Refrigerate: Store the cooled meatballs in an airtight container for up to 4 days.
Freeze: Freeze cooled air-fried meatballs in a single layer on a baking sheet. Once frozen, transfer to a zip-top bag or freezer-safe container. They’ll keep for up to 3 months.
To Reheat:Air-fry at 350°F for 4 to 5 minutes (longer if frozen). Alternatively, simmer gently on the stovetop or cover and heat in the microwave for 1 to 2 minutes, flipping halfway through.
Air Fryer Meatballs
Ingredients
- 1 egg, large
- 1 tablespoon milk
- 1 tablespoon parsley, chopped fresh
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1 pound ground beef, lean
- 1/4 cup panko crumbs
Instructions
- Mix the seasonings. In a large bowl, whisk together the egg, milk, fresh parsley, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and black pepper until well combined.
- Add the meat and crumbs. Add the ground beef and panko crumbs to the bowl. Mix thoroughly using a fork or your hands until just combined—don’t overmix.
- Shape the meatballs. Form the mixture into 16 meatballs, about 1 ounce each. Roll them gently for a smooth, even shape.
- Preheat the air fryer and cook. Turn on your air fryer and preheat it to 380°F for a few minutes. This helps with even cooking and browning. Cook for 12 minutes, or until browned and cooked through, shaking the basket from time to time to ensure even browning. The internal temperature should be at least 160°F for beef (165°F if using poultry).
- Sauce as desired. Toss with your favorite sauce—marinara, BBQ, grape jelly-chili sauce, or something spicy for a kick. Or leave them as-is.
- Serve. Garnish with green onions or parsley if desired. Enjoy!
Nutrition
Disclaimer:
Our nutritional information is based on a third-party application that analyzes the ingredients list to determine the values. The information is meant to be helpful, but should be considered an estimate. Values may differ depending on measurements, brands, serving variations, and database availability.
